coupling capacitor question .

Suppose one constructing one integrated amplifier to keep it understandable lets say one P3A and one DOZ preamp
Integrated amplifier no one is messing up between amplifier and preamplifier
so there is one coupling capacitor / DC blocking capacitor in the output of the DOZ and one more in the input of the P3A
can we remove one capacitor ?
only one capcitor between the two devices should be enough
any ideas ?
 
  • Like
Reactions: clpk
2 caps in series will be a capacitance lower than the smallest cap of them.
This can make the total cap be unsuitable for the poweramp.
It is like parallell 2 resistors. Two 1 Ohm resistors in parallell will for example giive a resistance of 0.5 Ohm.
 
Theoretically you are right - practically these caps are generally oversized so there is no audible effect to be expected. I guess you will not hear the difference between a 6Hz lowpass going up to 10Hz, for instance.
Removal of the (preamplifier)output coupling capacitor will actually lower the highpass corner frequency, but - assuming that the speakers are capable to reproduce it - neither 10Hz nor 6 Hz are sufficient, it should be below 1Hz.

It is quite possible (even likely IMO) that any coupling capacitor will introduce an audible effect, so removing one that is not needed seems to be basically a good idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: huggygood and rayma
Since i am designing the PCB there is a few reasons
*one is less expensive parts since both of those capacitors i use are expensive
*saving pcb area is one other
*keeping things simple is one more
*having a better structure is one more keeping the preamp as close to the amp with as less parts possible
thats the idea
i am trying to keep the pcb compact enough to fit a specific enclosure
 
The main reason to remove them is to improve the sound. I suggest a couple of these pins (which can be snapped off the DIL socket), soldered in place of the capacitor. Then alternate between a capacitor and a copper link - see if you can hear the difference.

1676114137947.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: clpk
if you are designing new PCB (integrated, both pre and PA on one) it entirely dosn't matter which one you omit... I would also, as lineup wrote, remove one on 'preamp side'.... possible complications may arise if one designing amp with separate PCB's for PA and preamp inside one enclosure, and in time he or other tech may forget that cap is missing on one or the other side....
 
As this isn't an easy question, it depends, I'd say:

If the volume control is between the preamp and power amp section, you need to ensure meticulously to get the preamp output offset voltage as low as possible if the following cap is going to be omitted. Otherwise your amp will make noise when turning the volume up or down.

In the same layout you need to have the power amp input DC current as low as possible if you intend to leave out the input coupling cap after the potentiometer. In addition, total DC resistances need to be equal for the inverting and non inverting inputs with BJT transistors to avoid DC offset at the speaker terminals. Impossible with the potentiometer. In conclusion this only can be recommended with a FET differential input section.

Best regards!
 
As this isn't an easy question, it depends, I'd say:

If the volume control is between the preamp and power amp section, you need to ensure meticulously to get the preamp output offset voltage as low as possible if the following cap is going to be omitted. Otherwise your amp will make noise when turning the volume up or down.

In the same layout you need to have the power amp input DC current as low as possible if you intend to leave out the input coupling cap after the potentiometer. In addition, total DC resistances need to be equal for the inverting and non inverting inputs with BJT transistors to avoid DC offset at the speaker terminals. Impossible with the potentiometer. In conclusion this only can be recommended with a FET differential input section.

Best regards!
in this case preap feeds the amp directly pot is behind the pre