Best books about solid state amplifiers

[Twisted85]

Hello,
My audio DIY hobby has pretty much always concentrated to speaker building, but I've began to be more and more interested to amplifier technology too. The problem is, I have very little skill and knowledge about amplifiers. I've built a millett headphone amplifier from clear instructions, but that's pretty much all.

So I'm asking: What are the best books for a total beginner to amplifier technology AND amplifier measurements? (power/distortion etc.) I don't know that much about electricity, so the book(s) should be as easy to read as possible for a beginner.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[tiefbassuebertr]

Originally Posted by Twisted85

Hello,
My audio DIY hobby has pretty much always concentrated to speaker building, but I've began to be more and more interested to amplifier technology too. The problem is, I have very little skill and knowledge about amplifiers. I've built a millett headphone amplifier from clear instructions, but that's pretty much all.

So I'm asking: What are the best books for a total beginner to amplifier technology AND amplifier measurements? (power/distortion etc.) I don't know that much about electricity, so the book(s) should be as easy to read as possible for a beginner.

Thanks for any suggestions.

look there
audio Amplifier Design - Google Books
and there
One to watch out for... new book.

Google offers in some cases even read samples from any pages, so you can easy find out, what you understand.

[Mooly]

Without doubt the books by Douglas Self... they should be required reading whether you agree with his designs or not

[Twisted85]

Originally Posted by tiefbassuebertr

Google offers in some cases even read samples from any pages, so you can easy find out, what you understand.

Thanks, I didn't know that. Still open for suggestions based on your personal experiences.

[MoodySteve]

I wouldn't call Douglas Self 'beginner-friendly' though...the Audio Power Amplifier Design Handbook assumed more than a bit of electrical knowledge. Are his other books more introductory?

[Spiny]

Originally Posted by MoodySteve

I wouldn't call Douglas Self 'beginner-friendly' though...the Audio Power Amplifier Design Handbook assumed more than a bit of electrical knowledge. Are his other books more introductory?

No
I would suggest a basic electronics book (Tooley - Electronic Circuits - fundamentals and applications or Horowitz and Hill, the Art of electronics. For example ) and a Self book

[john curl]

Really, the best thing to have is 'The Art of Electronics'. Yes, it is expensive, but worth it.

[AKSA]

Second John's suggestion, outstanding book, very readable too.

[taj]

A perfect beginner book I've found (take it from a beginner) is the Tab Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics. The point that makes this book so suitable is that many of the examples and discussions are based around simple audio amplifier circuits, and many of the projects are ones suited to amplifier DIY'ers. A regulated bench power supply for example.

It's written by G. Randy Slone. (Love him or hate him.) He's not, in my opinion, a talented writer, but there's a lot of great BASIC information in that book to give a newbie a real jump-start.

http://www.amazon.com/Tab-Electronic.../dp/0071360573

And I 3rd the recommendation for Art of Electronics. Very readable, though very expensive. Buy it used. Try eBay.

..Todd

[Shaun]

Get The Art of Electronics (for basics) and then Audio Power Amplifier Design Handbook, in that order, as suggested above. Also, ask lots of questions here (on the forum).