200W MOSFET CFA amp

Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
Thanks Richard for your effort. You have first version with the RC over VAS emitter resistor. Latest version is simulated only, not real test yet.

BR Damir

Better to use the VAS with emitter version. With diode the VAS current increases very fast with higher power supply voltages and reaches > 200 mA on +/-30V supply.

(outputstage mosfets are currently not soldered to test the vas standing current and ccs)

BR, Toni
 

Attachments

  • DSC01128.JPG
    DSC01128.JPG
    256.3 KB · Views: 690
Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
up and running ...

  • used BOM V1.0.
  • only 1 pair of outputstage mosfets installed
  • tuned to 150ma bias
  • DC offset without dc servo +13mV
  • DC offset with installed dc servo opamp is -1.6V (tried LF411, NE5532 - no difference). Output on opamp goes up to ~ +13V

DC servo behaviour looks like correcting in the wrong direction?
Any hint?

BR, Toni
 
Better to use the VAS with emitter version. With diode the VAS current increases very fast with higher power supply voltages and reaches > 200 mA on +/-30V supply.

(outputstage mosfets are currently not soldered to test the vas standing current and ccs)

BR, Toni

Hi Toni,
Yes, I was testing that just now. I can see from your photo that you did not thermally connected input supper pairs as it should be (Q11, Q3 and Q12, Q4). This stabilizes the VAS current a lot but I am not sure yet if enough, so keep the version with resistors and RC combination.
BR Damir
 
Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
NE5534 was only for quick test to see if DC behaviour changes.

The main reason for the bad DC behaviour seems to be instability anywhere in the circuit. I can see some > 100MHz oscillation with 50mVpp on output.
I have only populated one mosfet pair. Maybe it betters with all pairs installed.
 
Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
Hi Toni,
Do you have that oscillation without DC servo opamp?
What are your power supply voltages? Check +-15V on the board, does it change when you insert the opamp.
I never had any oscillation with my boards.
BR Damir

Oscillations with and without installed opamp.
Supply voltage was +/- 62V.
+/-15V are OK.
Be4 I do any other tests I will populate the board with all 8 mosfets. Such long traces without termination and the too less load capacitance due to the missing mosfets may be the reason for the oscillations. ;)
Stay tuned!

BR, Toni
 
Member
Joined 2011
Paid Member
... up and running.

HF oscillations seems to be gone. DC servo is now working.
Quick THD+N test up to 37Vrms shows distortions below 100ppm through the audio band (bw 80kHz). Noise is a bit high (unweighted 1.2mV) but this may be due to the quick'n dirty test setup.
More tests coming soon.
The 2 VAS transistors 3503/1381 get relatively hot - adding a small heatsink for the next pcb revision would help a lot.

BR, Toni
 

Attachments

  • DSC01129.JPG
    DSC01129.JPG
    308.1 KB · Views: 660
  • DSC01130.JPG
    DSC01130.JPG
    292.7 KB · Views: 630
Dadod:

I am trying to get this board up and running as you know. Can you say which relationship should be between transistors are more important. You indicated the Vbe between Q11 and Q3 also between Q12 and Q4. Then the Hfe between the same ones. OR should all 4 devices have similar Vbe's and Hfe's? As soon as I get these four transistors selected I am ready to mount them on the PCB's. I am trying to understand and move forward at the same time. Thanks for ALL your help too. This is a REAL learning experience for me too.
 
... up and running.

HF oscillations seems to be gone. DC servo is now working.
Quick THD+N test up to 37Vrms shows distortions below 100ppm through the audio band (bw 80kHz). Noise is a bit high (unweighted 1.2mV) but this may be due to the quick'n dirty test setup.
More tests coming soon.
The 2 VAS transistors 3503/1381 get relatively hot - adding a small heatsink for the next pcb revision would help a lot.

BR, Toni


Looking GOOD, Please share what they sound like when you get them on some speakers...Congratulations, I am coming right behind you SOON I hope.
 
... up and running.

HF oscillations seems to be gone. DC servo is now working.
Quick THD+N test up to 37Vrms shows distortions below 100ppm through the audio band (bw 80kHz). Noise is a bit high (unweighted 1.2mV) but this may be due to the quick'n dirty test setup.
More tests coming soon.
The 2 VAS transistors 3503/1381 get relatively hot - adding a small heatsink for the next pcb revision would help a lot.

BR, Toni

Hi Toni,
I am very glad that it is working now.
From the photo I dont see RC combination connected parallel to the VAS resistor, does that mean you are using the diode there? The VAS transistors should not be hot, the VAS current can be from 5 to 6 mA (that is more then enough). If you have more then is good to lower cascode collector resistor, if VAS emitter resistor is used than use 1k2 if diode than 1k33 (if to high add a resistor inseries).
If you use VAS emitter resistor than parallel RCcombination lower THD20k.
I am out of my PC for next 5, 6 days, using tablet only.

BR Damir