Aleph Heatsinks (My Last Noob Question of the Day)

[Patrick Bateman]

A disclaimer : I don't know the first thing about amplifier design.

The Pass amplifiers use outrageously large heatsinks. I understand this is due to the fact they're class A, and inefficient.

Here's my noob question:

What is attached to the heatsink?

I always thought the mosfets that amplify the signal are attached to the heatsinks, but I've noticed in the Mini-A thread that the mosfets aren't.

Are the devices attached to the heatsinks part of the power supply?

(I know, I know, noob question...)

I even went downstairs and dis-aseembled a broken amplifier that I have, to figure this out.

The bad news: there are six wires that lead to the heatsinks, but I can't figure out what's attached to those wires.

The good news: There were two fuses inside the amp that were blown! Maybe my amp isn't broken after all

(It's been sitting on a shelf downstairs for three years now...)

[wicked1]

The diodes/rectifiers in the power supply can have a heatsink, but yeah, the mosfets themselves are the ones hooked up to the big heatsinks.