[Balisarda]

Hi guys,

Can anyone explain to a layman whether it's possible to construct a single-ended amplifier with solid-state transistors?

Thanks!

 

[Jeff Wong]

Nelson Pass has been doing it for years and is very generous with info:

http://www.passdiy.com/default.htm

 

[amb]

A very simple example of a single-ended SS amp is the Szekeres.

 

[jwb]

Here's a schematic of a single-ended transistor headphone amp. It's based on a Pass design.

http://saturn5.com/~jwb/headamp/schematic.png

 

[Balisarda]

Thanks, guys!

Single-ended triode amplifiers have a considerable and enthusiastic following, because the sound is rather different from push-pull. So my next question is, is there a difference in sound between transistors in single-ended and push-pull configurations?

 

[dsavitsk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balisarda /img/forum/go_quote.gif is there a difference in sound between transistors in single-ended and push-pull configurations?

Can be. Take a look at the original Pass Zen article: http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/zenamp.pdf It should get you started.

 

[a1rocketpilot]

How do you get a gain out of a single transistor? Looking at the Szekeres and Pass Zen designs, the only real difference seems to be that the Szekeres has its output at the source, whereas the Zen has its output at the drain. How does that make the Szekeres have less than unity gain, while the Zen has enough gain to drive speakers?

Aditya

 

[amb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by a1rocketpilot /img/forum/go_quote.gif How do you get a gain out of a single transistor? Looking at the Szekeres and Pass Zen designs, the only real difference seems to be that the Szekeres has its output at the source, whereas the Zen has its output at the drain. How does that make the Szekeres have less than unity gain, while the Zen has enough gain to drive speakers? Aditya

That's exactly the difference. The Szekeres is a "common drain amplifier" (otherwise known as a "source follower"). The Pass Zen designs are more elaborate versions of a "common source amplifier". The latter has voltage gain but the former does not. You can google these and get the gory details.

The BJT counterparts of these are "common collector amplifier" and "common emitter amplifier". Perhaps these would yield more useful info when searching.

 

[Balisarda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsavitsk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Can be. Take a look at the original Pass Zen article: http://www.passdiy.com/pdf/zenamp.pdf It should get you started.

That's a great article! Thanks!

 

[ciuffoly]

Have you seen my Power Follower

the Power Folllower

and the relative articles on paper magazines

Andrea Ciuffoli - Documentation page

 

[cobaltmute]

It's in Korean, but Sijosae's Poormans Zen

I've built this and it worked and sounded decent, but I've never cased it so never listened to it for very long

 

[hobbang819]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciuffoly /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you seen my Power Follower

Have you seen the year?

 

[Pars]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobbang819 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you seen the year?

I'm sure they did, and it is only a 3 year old thread. Better to build on an existing thread (and show you did search) than to start the 3,000th Cmoy thread

 

[dBel84]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ciuffoly /img/forum/go_quote.gif Have you seen my Power Follower the Power Folllower and the relative articles on paper magazines Andrea Ciuffoli - Documentation page

well I think welcome Andrea would have possibly been more appropriate

..... perhaps not welcome ---- joined in 2004

Looking forward to more of your input on the forum ..dB