Transistors recommended for new designs

[Okv]

So, which BJT, FET, MOSFET to choose for new designs in 2011?

Discretes seems to be more difficult to source and prices are astronomic in some special cases.
Future availability must be considered.

It is interesting to find alternatives to those classis audio transistors, often something else can be used, and still give similar performance.

Exotic transistors are fun, but it is better to design around devices that are widely used and as such has lower cost and is more likely to be around in the future.
As for performance, it is often a matter of circuit design.


Here is a list of some transistors for audio use:

Small signal:
BJT BC550(C), BC560(C) (Good, but limited VCE)
BJT Toshiba 2SA970, 2SC2240 (future availability?)
BJT ROHM 2SB737, 2SD786 (Not found in current ROHM catalog)
FET 2SK170, 2SJ74 (possible to find, future availability?)
FET 2SK146, 2SJ72 (Only found in my spare parts bin..)


Driver, line output:
BJT Toshiba 2SA1358, 2SC3421 (future availability?)
BJT Toshiba 2SA1837, 2SC4793 (future availability?)
BJT BD139, BD140 (mediocre performance, but ok in many applications)
MOSFET Hitachi 2SK213(->2SK216), 2SJ76(->2SJ79) (Now made by Renesas, difficult to source, horrible prices)
MOSFET IRF510 (Suggested replacement for 2SK213+++, but it is not the same..)


Power:
BJT Toshiba 2SA1943, 2SC5200 (Easy to find, ok prices, future availability?)


Recommendations and other relevant input on the selection of especially small-signal and driver BJT & FET is highly appreciated.

[jaycee]

Fairchild devices - KSA992/KSC1845 for small signal, KSA1381/KSC3503 for VAS, KSA1220/KSC2690 as small drivers, FJP1943/FJP5022 as TO-220 drivers.

They also have their own TO-264 package 2SA1943/2SC5200 clones called FJL4215/FJL4315, and TO3P packaged versions FJA4213/FJA4313

Onsemi have good output and drivers... and now that they bought Sanyo I belive they make 2SA1209/2SC2911 which are good VAS devices

[weinstro]

Originally Posted by Okv

So, which BJT, FET, MOSFET to choose for new designs in 2011?

I'm interested in a response, too. I've finally committed to building a Borbely DC-102, and have discovered that pretty much all of the interesting transistors are obsolete and hard to find.

I just ordered the hard to find parts through eBay, a DIY member here, and other vendors. However, the JFETs in particular are so limited in availability that there is no real guarantee of receiving original devices sufficiently close in characteristics. These is not a cheap bet, either. I doubt these parts were ever cheap, but the totals start to get my attention.

My sense is that designs with complementary JFET input sections are no longer feasible, and this type of project I'm doing will be effectively impossible shortly. So, it seems that new designs will probably need to use complementary BJT's or opamps. I've noticed that some of the newer posts here discuss non-complementary BJT-based input sections.

Regards,

Rob

[ingenieus]

Here is the list of devices from Bob Cordell's site for which they have developed accurate SPICE models. It represents quite a good selection for me and I tend to stick to these when cooking up something new.

BJT
2N3904 2N3906 small-signal general purpose
2N4401 2N4403 small-signal general purpose
2N5089 2N5087C small-signal general purpose
2N5210 small-signal general purpose
2N5551 2N5401 small-signal general purpose
BC550 BC560 small-signal general purpose
2SC3503 2SA1381 TO126 VAS, driver
KSC3503 KSA1381 TO126 VAS, driver
2SC3601 2SA1407 TO126 VAS, driver
BD139 BD140 TO126 VAS, driver
MJE243 MJE253 TO126 VAS, driver
MJE340 MJE350 TO126 VAS, driver
MJE15032 MJE15033 TO220 driver
MJL21194 MJL21193 TO264 power transistor
MJL3281 MJL1302 TO264 power transistor
MJL4281 MJL4302 TO264 power transistor
NJL3281 NJL1302 TO264 ThermalTrak power transistor

JFET
LS844 N-channel dual-matched JFET input pair
LSK389 N-channel dual-matched JFET input pair

Vertical Power MOSFET
2SK1530 2SJ201 vertical MOSFET power transistor
IRFP240 IRFP9240 vertical MOSFET power transistor

Lateral Power MOSFET
2SK134 2SJ49 lateral MOSFET power transistor
2SK1056 2SJ162 lateral MOSFET power transistor

CordellAudio.com - SPICE Models

[unclejed613]

just took a look on Toshiba's website. although they show A1934 and C5200 as current production, they have an improved pair. A2121 and C5949

[Okv]

Nice, prices are good too, this can be a good option for SS power amplifier.

Seems the 2SA1943/2SC5200 is widely used in PA-amps, and probably also for a lot of hifi-amps - which means supply should still be good for a while.
The problem is that class-D will make these obsolete for all but some special audiophile class-A stages.

Then other examples mentioned are good input and noted, now I will search Toshiba to find some driver/medium-power BJTs.

[andrewlebon]

MG6333W SEMELAB 260V 30A 50 400W 35MHz TO264 NPN
MG9413W SEMELAB 260V 30A 50 400W 35MHz TO264 PNP
HI GREETINGS anyone used these transistors
warm regards
andrew lebon

[ostripper]

http://www.profusionplc.com/images/d...ts/mg6333w.pdf

Those are big. Could not run them efficiently in a EF2 , similar to the 21193/4 Hfe-Ic plot.

Hard to get , only 1 hit on google. They would work in any well designed triple EF. Better to "double up" on NJW0281/0302 ($1.90USD) or the sanken130-150w lineup (2sa1294/2sc3263)

OS

[jaycee]

400W dissipation in a TO-264? I smell manure...

[ostripper]

Here's one I do believe .... http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHN...CD00171942.pdf

225W , but with an SOA that beats the TO-3 MJ21193/4. These I can source easily.
#1 Killer BJT output ! (6A /60V/100mS SOA)
OS