Beast with 1000 JFETs redux?

Following Nelson’s introduction, here is the finished Mini Beast headphone amplifier. It puts out 5 watts, with zero feedback, low distortion and drives low impedances.

Pictured behind the Mini Beast is an electrostatic headphone transformer and bias supply for driving electrostatic headphones. The transformers were designed and built by Dave Slagle. Both are run by 24 DC volt supplies.

These will be demoed this weekend in the Refined Audio room at Capitol Audiofest.

IMG_4648.jpeg
 
Cool - was there anymore feedback on when we can expect to see further details?

I’ve heard Cube audio as well, they were nearly my ideal speaker - but at the time they sounded slightly too forward for my liking (I’ve now realised that it was likely the DAC they were paired with). I need to try them again at some point…
 
  • Like
Reactions: lastnamenelson
A cascoded beast with fewer Jfets (maybe something like the J112) might be a nifty choice for a headphone amp, maybe with a depletion mode mosfet front end and a mix of partial and global feedback.. The big decision would be whether to make it parafeed or std single-ended.