18W Class-B Audio Amplifier with Tone Controls - RED - Page181

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18W Class-B Audio Amplifier with Tone Controls

No need for a preamplifier - No setup required
Incorporates Baxandall Bass and Treble Controls
Circuit diagram:

Parts:
P1______________50K
P2______________20K
P3_____________100K

R1_____________820R
R2______________68R
R3_______________1K8
R4______________10K
R5_______________1K
R6,R7__________100R
R8_____________330R
R9______________47R

Log. Potentiometer (or 47K)

(twin concentric-spindle dual gang for stereo)
Linear Potentiometer (or 22K)
(twin concentric-spindle dual gang for stereo)
Linear Potentiometer
(twin concentric-spindle dual gang for stereo)
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/2W

Resistor
Resistor
Resistor
Resistor
Resistor
Resistors
Resistor
Resistor

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18W Class-B Audio Amplifier with Tone Controls - RED - Page181

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C1_______________1F
C2______________33pF
C3______________10nF
C4,C5____________1nF
C6_____________120nF
C7______________22nF
C8,C10_________220nF
C9______________22F
C11,C12________220F

63V
63V
63V
63V
63V
63V
63V
25V
25V

IC1__________NE5534

Low noise Single Op-amp

Q1____________BD440
Q2____________BD439

60V 4A PNP Transistor

60V 4A NPN Transistor

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Polyester Capacitor
Polystyrene or Ceramic Capacitor
Polyester Capacitor
Polyester Capacitors
Polyester Capacitor
Polyester Capacitor
Polyester Capacitors
Electrolytic Capacitor
Electrolytic Capacitors

J1______________RCA audio input socket

Comments:
In order to satisfy repeated requests by correspondents, a medium power audio amplifier incorporating tone
controls in the feedback path was finally designed.
To avoid an excessive increase in parts-count, due to the addition of the tone controls, a simple amplifier
circuitry was designed on the same guidelines of the successful 45 Watt Class B Amplifier, but using the
excellent NE5534 IC instead of a discrete component op-amp to drive the output "dumper" transistors.
The particular circuit configuration, allowed to push the NE5534 exceptional capacity of driving the output
transistors near to its limits, enabling the whole amplifier to deliver relatively high power outputs without
problems. For this reason, it was possible to obtain 18W into an 8 Ohm load using a power supply voltage of
+/- 20V.
Despite the complication added by the tone controls, the amplifier has an input sensitivity of 130mV RMS,
allowing to connect directly to its input the most disparate audio sources without the need for a separate
preamplifier.
Total Harmonic Distortion figures are astonishingly low, much lower than comparable audio amplifiers using a
single-IC audio amp.
An interesting feature of this amplifier is the absence of any kind of setup.
Bass and Treble Frequency Response:

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Power Supply Circuit diagram:

Power Supply Parts:

R1_______________1K8 1/4W Resistor
C1,C2_________4700F
D1_____Diode bridge
D2______________LED

25V Electrolytic Capacitors

100 to 400V, 1.5 to 4A
Any type and color

SW1_____________SPST Mains switch

T1______________230V Primary, 30V Center-tapped or 15 + 15V Secondary,
about 45 to 60VA or 1.5 to 2A, Mains transformer
PL1_____________Male Mains plug with cord

Comments:
The power supply is straightforward. The parts values suggested are suited to power a stereo version of this

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design. For a mono amplifier a less powerful mains transformer can be used, having a 30V Center-tapped or
15 + 15V secondary winding, rated at about 24 to 30VA or 0.8-1A.
Notes:
Q1 and Q2 power transistors should be mounted on a finned heatsink of at least 100x50x25mm.
+ and - 22V is the absolute maximum permissible voltage supply for NE5534: please do not exceed this
limit.
In the event you obtain a higher voltage from your power supply, you can consider the use of a
regulated supply. Please see Simple, Efficient, Regulated Power Supply.
Technical data:
Output power:
18 Watt RMS into 8 Ohm (1KHz sine wave)
Input sensitivity:
130mV RMS for full output
Frequency response @ 1W RMS and Tone Controls in center position:
-1.2dB from 50Hz to 15KHz; -3dB @ 20Hz; -2dB @ 20KHz
Total Harmonic Distortion @ 1KHz:
500mW 0.005% 1W 0.0035% 10W 0.0035% 18W 0.008%
Total Harmonic Distortion @10KHz:
500mW 0.007% 1W 0.004% 10W 0.01% 18W 0.024%
Unconditionally stable on capacitive loads

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