First solid-state amp was from...Cerwin-Vega?!? OR not?

head_unit · 08:07 PM

At http://www.cerwinvega.com/cerwin-vega-history.html it states:

"It was in 1957 that Vega introduced the world’s first solid state amplifier, rated at 125 RMS: it was a power house by the standards of its time. The amplifier’s circuit was influenced by a 10,000-watt sonar amp Gene designed for Bendix Corp. "

Any evidence to the contrary? Nothing against Cerwin, I just assumed it would have been someone else...

tiefbassuebertr · 10:43 AM

I am also looking for more information about this
have a look also to post #10 about
Overview of Brands and Models from first Solid State Audio Amplifier Components want.

tiefbassuebertr · 18th October 2011, 07:04 PM

no news?

darkfenriz · 18th October 2011, 08:01 PM

I believe mr. Bardeen & co. connected their 'thing' to the speaker to check whether they invented something useful.
Technically this was an amplifier.

ingenieus · 18th October 2011, 08:14 PM

Would be interesting to know how they built 125 (whatever) RMS with the transistors available at the time. The 2N3055 was still a few years in the future in 1957...

Ian Finch · 18th October 2011, 08:25 PM

There were germanium power types in full production before silicon. Problematic sure, but they were in car radios, home audio en mass from the mid 1950s.

jerluwoo · 18th October 2011, 11:50 PM

Dick Burwen

This fellow here was part of that navy sonar amplifier project as well. This guy claims to have designed and having a 160w solid state amp built by Lafayette guys in their basement in 61.

tiefbassuebertr · 19th October 2011, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian Finch

There were germanium power types in full production before silicon. Problematic sure, but they were in car radios, home audio en mass from the mid 1950s.

...and in a famous guitar amp - go to post #49 and #50 about
Overview of Brands and Models from first Solid State Audio Amplifier Components want.

head_unit · 19th October 2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkfenriz

I believe mr. Bardeen & co. connected their 'thing' to the speaker to check whether they invented something useful.
Technically this was an amplifier.

Ha ha, yes!
But as OP, I disqualify them because they did not call it "solid state"

djoffe · 20th October 2011, 02:15 AM

This app note is from 1962, about a typical class A car radio amplifier. Not exactly what you guys are looking for, but if it was typical in 1962, maybe it was brand spanking new in 1957?

http://updatemydynaco.com/HistoricDo...dioAmp1962.pdf

10th August 2010, 12:23 AM	#1
head_unit diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles	First solid-state amp was from...Cerwin-Vega?!? OR not? At http://www.cerwinvega.com/cerwin-vega-history.html it states: "It was in 1957 that Vega introduced the world’s first solid state amplifier, rated at 125 RMS: it was a power house by the standards of its time. The amplifier’s circuit was influenced by a 10,000-watt sonar amp Gene designed for Bendix Corp. " Any evidence to the contrary? Nothing against Cerwin, I just assumed it would have been someone else... Last edited by Pano; 18th October 2011 at 08:07 PM. Reason: fixed link

6th May 2011, 10:32 AM	#2
tiefbassuebertr diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: D-55629 Schwarzerden	I am also looking for more information about this have a look also to post #10 about Overview of Brands and Models from first Solid State Audio Amplifier Components want. Last edited by tiefbassuebertr; 6th May 2011 at 10:43 AM.

18th October 2011, 08:25 PM	#6
Ian Finch diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Coffs Harbour, on the east coast	There were germanium power types in full production before silicon. Problematic sure, but they were in car radios, home audio en mass from the mid 1950s. __________________ regards

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18th October 2011, 07:04 PM	#3
tiefbassuebertr diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: D-55629 Schwarzerden	no news?

18th October 2011, 08:01 PM	#4
darkfenriz diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Warsaw	I believe mr. Bardeen & co. connected their 'thing' to the speaker to check whether they invented something useful. Technically this was an amplifier.

18th October 2011, 08:14 PM	#5
ingenieus diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2011	Would be interesting to know how they built 125 (whatever) RMS with the transistors available at the time. The 2N3055 was still a few years in the future in 1957...

18th October 2011, 11:50 PM	#7
jerluwoo diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ashland,Ky U.S	Dick Burwen This fellow here was part of that navy sonar amplifier project as well. This guy claims to have designed and having a 160w solid state amp built by Lafayette guys in their basement in 61.

20th October 2011, 02:15 AM	#10
djoffe diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2008	1962 Typical Car Amplifier This app note is from 1962, about a typical class A car radio amplifier. Not exactly what you guys are looking for, but if it was typical in 1962, maybe it was brand spanking new in 1957? http://updatemydynaco.com/HistoricDo...dioAmp1962.pdf

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