2SD555 + 2SB600 data help!!

[RetroAudio]

Does anyone have data sheets on the 2SD555 and 2SB600 transistors, or did they even make them? I've searched high (and low) for info and came up with a blurb about the 555, but Icmax and Ft are not consistent. I think the posts get their info from other posts and errors perpetuate. Anyone got the real scoop?? Thanks!

[Christer]

I did some googling on 2sd555 and there seems to be a consistent picture that this device is discontinued. It seems to have been manufactured by NEC and also others, however, NEC seems no longer to have any datasheets for it. I did find datasheets on one site, but it seems to be a pay site:
http://www.ecadata.de/suchneu/such.php?ECA_KEY=2SD555

I didn't check the other device, since I assumed it was complementary and it is probably the same story there. Google will tell you.

[RetroAudio]

Googling told me nothing which is why I asked to begin with. I think I've found every dead end there was too..... Yes, they are discontinued, but that doesn't mean one still can't come across some and use them.

[Christer]

Sure you can get them. Google revealed a lot of companies selling them. Datasheets seem harder, though, unless you are prepared to pay for them.

[tiltedhalo]

They are original Toshiba units, discontinued about 15 years ago. There high power audio or disk head positioners.
Vceo 250V
Vcex 250V
Veb 5V
Ic 10A, peak 15A
Ib 2A, peak 5A
Tc=+25c 200W 2nd run 150W ist run
hfe 20 min 100 max
I actually have 4 of each left over from a job a few years back......

[anatech]

Hi RetroAudio,
Popular in the mid-late seventies for high power audio.

2SB600 : 200V, 10A, 200W, hFE~70, fT~14MHz

2SD555 : 200V, 10A, 200W, hFE~70, fT~15MHz

From the 1986 Japanese Transistor manual.

-Chris

[RetroAudio]

Thanks for info guys. It's pretty much in line with what I've been able to find out so far, but a data sheet with curves would be great..(I'm so spoiled!!). I suppose a lot of Japanese made trannies never came with a data sheet so I shouldn't be surprised. Actually, what I was after was a gain curve,..just wondered how many amperes they were good for before the proverbial dive set in. If I have to, I'll just acquire some and put them up to the old tracer and find out for myself. Am trying to avoid this approach anymore since this is a great way to acquire stuff you never use, but in the 555 and 600 instance, I'm sure I could find a place for them somewhere.

I've come back into audio after 15 years of being out and going back through my old stash see I have some collectables, such as original Toshiba 2SD424 + 2SB554s. Think I'll keep those around for a rainy day.

Tiltedhalo - If you have the 200w versions, I'd be interested, for a few $ of course. My email is open.

[anatech]

Hi RetroAudio,
The V C-E voltage rating is 200V, not 250V. V C-B on the 2SD555 is 250V. There is only one version of these. Somewhere there must have been curves on these, I've never seen them. Just the bare minimum given by the Japanese spec books. Still, that's light years ahead of trusting ECG or NTE specs!

They were popular because the current gain characteristic is reasonably flat, particularly for power transistors of that time.

Your 2SB554 and 2SD424's are also really good output transistors. I used to stock these and the 2SB600 / 2SD555's. I ran out years ago. For new replacement, try the Motorola (On-Semi) MJ21193 ~ MJ21196 parts. They seem to have made a deal with Toshiba for the technology and have reasonable prices.

[RetroAudio]

anatech,

I've never seen anything NTE that I like and wonder how they even stay in business, yet they seem to keep going.

Yeah, I've pretty much come up to speed with all the popular output devices available today, I still like to keep looking and tweaking..(it's too fun,..am having a blast!). Darn all these ideas that keep popping into my head,..won't give me a minute's rest for nothing.

Right now I'm redoing an early version Threshold 400a and boy howdy,..the stuff I'm uncovering that needs fixing. Am just having some fun in the output section is all and am pretty sure I can hotrod it to truly drive some electrostatics. I guess I'll know when I get there, but the journey is most of the fun for me.

Well, back to the lab...

[anatech]

Hi RetroAudio,
Yes, I have the same problem. Makes me do stuff that does not make economic sense.

Enjoy the Threshold. Nice amp.

-Chris