Balanced Phono Amps

This book presents the design, analysis and testing of fully balanced RIAA phono amps and measurement tools. The content of this book extends a standard reference about RIAA phono amps “the sound of silence” by Burkhard Vogel. Here, the gap is filled between a semi-balanced engine (RIAA Phono-Amp Engine I) and a fully balanced engine, the RIAA Phono-Amp Engine II. In this new book on hand, “fully balanced” means that each phono-amp stage ends up in a balanced - or in other words symmetrical - solution, differentially amplified. Un-balanced / single-ended solutions are not in the scope.

This extensively reworked 2nd edition of the book includes ten new chapters. It also features an updated discussion of simulation software tools, covering topics such as simulating complex and / or expensive amplifier structures with the free LTspice software by developing a broad range of additional simulation models, especially those for triodes and transformers. The book adopts the structure used in The Sound of Silence books, with the first part, Basics - Calculations and Simulations, providing deep simulation-triggered insights into the gain and noise mechanisms of differential amplifiers, BJTs, resistors, and triodes. The second part then discusses the RIAA Phono-Amp Engine II, describing all the necessary design, simulation, calculation, construction and measurement processes for this multi-functional MC amplifier. The third part, Knowledge Transfer, presents new ideas on draft designs of the linear low-noise MC input stages (also an extremely low-noise one) and a range of practical measurement tools. Additionally, it includes a chapter on MM amplifiers and their noise production, and offers some surprising solutions. The brand new and extensive chapter on all the simulation models developed and used in the book rounds-out the voyage through the jungle of compromises, allowing best-in-class balanced MC phono-amplifiers to be produced. Lastly, the book also features an extensive index, and free downloads of all Mathcad worksheets are available on Springer's Extra Materials website (extra.springer.com).

There is a wide field of tasks left that can only be satisfyingly attacked with the help of old-fashioned analogue technology, and one of the most important are amplifiers for analogue signals. The strongly expanded content of the second edition of "the sound of silence" leads to affordable amplifier design approaches which will end up in lowest-noise solutions not far away from the edge of physical boundaries set by room temperature and given cartridges - thus, fully compatible with very expensive so called "high-end" or "state-of-the-art" offers on today markets - and, from a noise point of view in most cases outperforming them! With easy to follow mathematical treatment it is demonstrated as well that theory is not far away from reality. Measured SNs will be found within 1dB off the calculated ones and deviations from the exact amplifier transfer won't cross the ± 0.1dB tolerance lines. Additionally, the book presents measurement set-ups and results. Consequently, comparisons with measurement results of test magazine will soon become easier to perform. This new edition includes a new chapters about reference levels, Noise in Amp Input sections, Humming Problems, and much more.

Analog Audio Amplifier Design introduces all the fundamental principles of analog audio amplifiers, alongside practical circuit design techniques and advanced topics. Covering all the basics of amplifier operation and configuration, as well as high-end audio amplifiers, this is a comprehensive guide with design examples and exercises throughout. With chapters on single-device, operational, multi-stage, voltage buffer, power, line-stage and phono-stage amplifiers, Analog Audio Amplifier Design is a comprehensive and practical introduction that empowers readers to master a range of design techniques. This book also provides a variety of graphs and tables of key amplifying devices and properties of amplifier configurations for easy reference. This is an essential resource for audio professionals and hobbyists interested in audio electronics and audio engineering, as well as students on electrical and audio engineering courses.

The content of this book will lead to affordable phono amplifier design approaches which will end up in lowest-noise solutions not far away from the edge of physical boundaries set by room temperature and given cartridges - thus, fully compatible with very expensive so called "high-end" or "state-of-the-art" offers on today’s markets - and, from a noise point of view in most cases outperforming them! This book demonstrates that theory is not far away from reality.

Presents the first comprehensive book on electronics for vinyl High-level, practical information with minimal mathematics Includes topics such as low-noise amplification, proper cartridge loading, equalisation for archival recordings, and more Includes tricks and innovations from an expert author

This title is essential for audio equipment designers and engineers for one simple reason; it enables you as a professional to develop reliable, high-performance circuits.

Provides designers with quick reference guides to various types of circuits; comes with 250-300 ready-to-use designs, with schematics and explanations.