Recommend some electronics books to a beginner!

[duchamp]

I recently realized I have a vast amount of information available to me through the UCLA library system and thought I would get everyones recommendations for books on learning electronics and amp building (not just headphone amps. ) I just checked out "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and "Introductory DC/AC Electronics" by Cook. I also have a few general electronics books at home but I'm looking to find some more audio specific information. I know there are a myriad of books out there on the subject but I know that no one is short on opinions out there about which are the best!

Web sites would be helpful also. I'm sure there are some other novices out there that would find this information helpful as well. I'm thankful I found Head-Fi and the helpful advice others are willing to give. To community!

 

[Eisenhower]

I guess a true novice would find this very helpful : http://www.ibiblio.org/obp/electricCircuits/

Thats said, the art of electronics is far from a novice book imo

 

[GeekGirl]

You should utilize the device manufacturer's application notes. You'll find a wealth of information from basic theory to real-life applications. Caveat: Application notes are always written under the guise as "education" but are really marketing pitches to sell products. It's up to you to understand the difference. Don't lose site of the fact that you need to learn the "basics" first - do your homework and pass your courses. (I assume you are student there. If not, we are all still learning

)

Check out two of the industry "experts" on audio: Analog devices http://www.analog.com/en/DCCatLandin...255F65,00.html and Texas Instruments http://focus.ti.com/docs/apps/catalo...tion=app_notes

Analog Devices also has free book downloads in .pdf format. I highly recommend "The Scientist & Engineer's Guide to Digital Signal Processing" http://www.analog.com/processors/res...ook_index.html . It's a great intro to DSP and good background for understanding how audio DACs work. Been around for a number of years in hard copy, always was free. Read this book if you are considering DSP as a career choice.

If you want to be really overloaded, go up a level and explore the other free books available.

 

[SiBurning]

In addition to the other good books & notes, you might think about getting some good college-level technical school lab manuals and work through them. Don't get the matching book. The idea here--aside from the hands-on approach--is to let the labs lead you, and force you to acquire the knowledge to understand the labs.

 

[tangent]

http://tangentsoft.net/elec/reviews/

 

[duchamp]

Thanks everyone! Great recommendations so far.

 

[Garbz]

If you're into the maths side of things Electrical Engineering An Introduction by Schwarz and Oldham is what we are currently using in first year ELEC subjects. However since the choice of textbooks was open I asked my lecturer about the Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill since it comes most recomended on this forum. The reply was I may as well buy it now because even if I don't need it i'll need it next year for further studies.

I did buy it. It's very detailed. The maths is lighter but it has some fantastic in depth descriptions of how everything works, and I use it for everything in my ELEC subjects not related to pure math.

 

[Eisenhower]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbz If you're into the maths side of things Electrical Engineering An Introduction by Schwarz and Oldham is what we are currently using in first year ELEC subjects. However since the choice of textbooks was open I asked my lecturer about the Art of Electronics by Horowitz and Hill since it comes most recomended on this forum. The reply was I may as well buy it now because even if I don't need it i'll need it next year for further studies. I did buy it. It's very detailed. The maths is lighter but it has some fantastic in depth descriptions of how everything works, and I use it for everything in my ELEC subjects not related to pure math.

how much math and what types of math are you using? Im just wondering becuase I'll probally be taking some EE classes

 

[Garbz]

Node analysis, Mesh analysis, Loop analysis, voltage and current dividers (well all books should cover this one at least), spice, equivalent circuits, power calculations, phasor analysis, time derivatives, transient response of circuits etc.

That sort of thing. This is all fairly common to electronics. The book I mentioned just goes into a LOT of detail about how these work and how to solve circuits. At the same time it does also cover Analog systems, digital systems, semiconductors, transistor amplifiers, TTL CMOS etc, power and magnatism. Just not as detailed as the Art of Electronics. Mind you this book was cheaper.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Books I've found helpful:

There Are No Electrons, Kenn Amdahl
Audio Reality, Bruce Rozenblit
Beginner's Guide To Tube Audio Design, Bruce Rozenblit
Valve Amplifiers, Morgan Jones

And a couple of sources you might not expect:

The ARRL (American Radio Relay League), which is primarily focused on radio, but has excellent guides, books, articles, and essays on practical electronics. 99% of radios have an amplification stage, so that's there, too.

The U.S. Navy. Really! I had no idea, but when I was starting out, I came across a mess of old Navy electronics handbooks in the library. The newer ones are good, but the pre-transistor ones are pure gold. Lots and lots of tube goodness.

Almost forgot- Audio Xpress magazine is invaluable and so is Vacuum Tube Valley magazine. I highly recommend both.

In addition, browse the books at:

http://www.tubesandmore.com (Antique Electronic Supply)
http://www.audioxpress.com (Audio Xpress)

They should have plenty to interest you. Hope these help-

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik when I was starting out, I came across a mess of old Navy electronics handbooks in the library.

That may be this series, which you can find online. (It's linked from my "free books" page, which is linked on the page I linked to above.)

 

[duchamp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Erik Books I've found helpful: There Are No Electrons, Kenn Amdahl

This was one of the first books I bought. Really quirky analogies but very helpful nonetheless.

Lots of great stuff so far to get me started. Thanks everyone, especially tangent for being so continuously involved in the DIY community.