FET/BJT hybrid amplifiers

angel · 18th June 2004, 03:35 PM

Have any of you tried using bipolars for the output stages of an Aleph, X or SoZ?

I'm looking to build a low power amp, like 5-10W into 4 ohm, for example using the Aleph topology. However, at these power ratings, the Vgs losses of MOSFET transistors get to be really noticeable. So, I'm wondering if it might make sense to use a N-channel MOSFET input, and a PNP output to cut the losses a bit, or whether this would be too hard to do without impacting sound quality.

MikeW · 19th June 2004, 01:20 AM

Build a Mini-A (mosfets), JLH (bipolars), or Le Monstre (Fet input Bipolar output). They are all nice amps. Or build all three.

LineSource · 19th June 2004, 01:37 AM

Hi Angel,

There is a thread "25 watt class A into 1 ohm" active that uses complementary JFET front-end and bipolar output for modest class A power into low impedances. You may want to simulate and give your comments on this design.

Nelson Pass · 19th June 2004, 01:42 AM

You could do all this stuff with bipolar, but since the current
gain of the average bipolar is limited, you usually find yourself
using a Bipolar Darlington arrangement instead of a MosFet.
Once you get the gain up, it works fine.

angel · 19th June 2004, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by LineSource
There is a thread "25 watt class A into 1 ohm" active that uses complementary JFET front-end and bipolar output for modest class A power into low impedances. You may want to simulate and give your comments on this design.

Had a look at it, and my initial thought was "is all this necessary".. It looks like it should measure pretty well, but I'm wondering if anyone has actually built it yet. Complicated circuits tend to yield complicated sonics.

I'll think about it anyway =)

angel · 19th June 2004, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nelson Pass
You could do all this stuff with bipolar, but since the current
gain of the average bipolar is limited, you usually find yourself
using a Bipolar Darlington arrangement instead of a MosFet.
Once you get the gain up, it works fine.

I was kind of thinking about using the 2SK389 for input, and a darlington with constant current loading, or a compound follower.

The darlington sort of defeats the entire point, though, which was to reduce losses due to Vgs/Vbe.

Nelson Pass · 19th June 2004, 02:37 AM

Vgs will be about 4.5V, and Vbe will be about 1.4V

18th June 2004, 03:35 PM	#1
angel diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Norway	FET/BJT hybrid amplifiers Have any of you tried using bipolars for the output stages of an Aleph, X or SoZ? I'm looking to build a low power amp, like 5-10W into 4 ohm, for example using the Aleph topology. However, at these power ratings, the Vgs losses of MOSFET transistors get to be really noticeable. So, I'm wondering if it might make sense to use a N-channel MOSFET input, and a PNP output to cut the losses a bit, or whether this would be too hard to do without impacting sound quality.

19th June 2004, 01:20 AM	#2
MikeW diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: North of Boston	Build a Mini-A (mosfets), JLH (bipolars), or Le Monstre (Fet input Bipolar output). They are all nice amps. Or build all three. __________________ MikeW

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19th June 2004, 01:42 AM	#4
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	You could do all this stuff with bipolar, but since the current gain of the average bipolar is limited, you usually find yourself using a Bipolar Darlington arrangement instead of a MosFet. Once you get the gain up, it works fine.

19th June 2004, 02:37 AM	#7
Nelson Pass The one and only Join Date: Mar 2001	Vgs will be about 4.5V, and Vbe will be about 1.4V

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