A few chip amp questions

[bigwill]

I'm thinking of buildling a chip amp but I'm still unclear on a few things.

1. What's the difference between inverting and non-inverting? Obviously one inverts the signal, but why do people seem to prefer wiring up their chip amps so they invert? What're the sonic differences?

2. What is "snubberizing"?


3. Why do higher capacitances on the power supply hurt the high frequency responce? Surely the bigger the better?

and finally

4. What are the benefits of putting a buffer in front of the chip?


Any info would be much appreciated

[Nuuk]

1. What's the difference between inverting and non-inverting? Obviously one inverts the signal, but why do people seem to prefer wiring up their chip amps so they invert? What're the sonic differences?

This can't be told - only heard!

2. What is "snubberizing"?

Adding components across larger caps to negate the negative effect they have on the GC.

3. Why do higher capacitances on the power supply hurt the high frequency responce? Surely the bigger the better?

I beleive that it has something to do with impedance.

4. What are the benefits of putting a buffer in front of the chip?

In the case of the inverting GC it isolates it's input loop from the previous stage.

[bigwill]

Thanks! Do you prefer inverting or non-inverting?

[Nuuk]

Thanks! Do you prefer inverting or non-inverting?

Don't be personal!

Ha ha, inverting for me (which I think that I may have said on Decibel Dungeon)!

[bigwill]

How about I make my buffer inverting and have an inverted gainclone so it's the sound of inverted but not inverting!

[Nuuk]

How about I make my buffer inverting and have an inverted gainclone so it's the sound of inverted but not inverting!

Not quite the same thing but don't let me stop you trying anything. That's half the fun!

[Russ White]

Originally posted by bigwill
How about I make my buffer inverting and have an inverted gainclone so it's the sound of inverted but not inverting!

Actually that works quite well, and it is the approach several very good designers have taken, including Mauro Penasa.

Here is a link.
Non inverting GC with inverting power stage.

[Doovieman]

Originally posted by bigwill
I'm thinking of buildling a chip amp but I'm still unclear on a few things.

3. Why do higher capacitances on the power supply hurt the high frequency responce? Surely the bigger the better?

They don't. Anyone who's taken an introduction to analog circuit design course know's that that is simply a ridiculous claim. More capacitance means less ripple on the power supply which is ALWAYS a good thing (if you're final goal is DC, which it is).

and finally

4. What are the benefits of putting a buffer in front of the chip?

An ideal opamp has infinite input impedance. Whatever chip (or circuit in the case of discrete transistors) you endup using will, of course, have a finite input impedance. The addition of a buffer (in the form of another opamp/tube/fets) will increase the input impedance of your amplifier, which should make it more ideal. If you're really wanting to put a buffer in, just use an opamp with a gain of 1 or maybe 2 if you want some extra kick.

Any info would be much appreciated

Hope that helps...

Doovieman

[Doovieman]

Sorry for messing up with the quotes... My comments are between your questions...

[bigwill]

Thanks