The Art of Electronics - Horowitz and Hill - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_Electronics
This book is commonly referred to as the "electronics bible."
The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2012 Edition http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Handbook-Radio-Communications-2012/dp/087259677X
While aimed toward design and prototyping radio transmitters and receivers, the first third of the book is a concise and comprehensive electronics course directly applicable to audio: What is voltage and current, Ohm's Law, what resistors, capacitors and inductors are (with pictures of typical devices), reactance and AC circuits, design of transistor, tube, op-amp and digital circuits, power supplies and test equipment. The first part of this book will take you from only knowing high-school algebra to being able to pick up and run with the more advanced "The Art of Electronics."
The Amazon page for the 2011 Edition has many more reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Handbook-Radio-Communications-Comprehensive/product-reviews/087259095X
The ARRL Handbook is published every year with only minor changes between each edition. The full titles of previous editions are "ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs" (for the last decade or so) and "ARRL Radio Amateurs Handbook" (going back for MANY decades). Even decades-old editions start with similar tutorials on basic electronics, though some components that might be mentioned (20 percent tolerance resistors, 709 op-amps) may be hard to find.
Another good start with an evolving path is the works of author G. Randy Slone.
Starting with:
"TAB Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics"
ISBN-10: 0071360573
Randy guides you through basic tools of the trade, beginning electronic theories and how to apply them, practical construction of a lab power supply, and later in the book he begins with some practical discrete audio amplifiers.
With careful attention to this book and following the projects included within it is very reasonable to say that you could go from an absolute novice to having practical knowledge and experience in matters of audio amplifier and power supply construction.
Randy's later books:
"The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook: 120 High-Performance Audio Electronics Projects"
ISBN-10: 0071379290
and
High-Power Audio Amplifier Construction Manual
ISBN-10: 0071341196
Expand on the audio construction theme.
The project source book covers everything from filters to VU meters to high power amplifiers while the construction manual delves into all things audio amps detailing the different types and giving project examples of an "A" class amplifier and many "AB" types.
If you are interested in Hi-FI audio construction it is hard to go wrong with any of G. Randy Slones books.
MAKE: Electronics by Charles Platt is a recent book that covers general electronics fundamentals in an informal and enjoyable way. This doesn't go very deep into electronics theory, but it may be the way to get started when other books seem too much like incomprehensible college textbooks.
This book is commonly referred to as the "electronics bible."
The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications 2012 Edition http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Handbook-Radio-Communications-2012/dp/087259677X
While aimed toward design and prototyping radio transmitters and receivers, the first third of the book is a concise and comprehensive electronics course directly applicable to audio: What is voltage and current, Ohm's Law, what resistors, capacitors and inductors are (with pictures of typical devices), reactance and AC circuits, design of transistor, tube, op-amp and digital circuits, power supplies and test equipment. The first part of this book will take you from only knowing high-school algebra to being able to pick up and run with the more advanced "The Art of Electronics."
The Amazon page for the 2011 Edition has many more reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/ARRL-Handbook-Radio-Communications-Comprehensive/product-reviews/087259095X
The ARRL Handbook is published every year with only minor changes between each edition. The full titles of previous editions are "ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs" (for the last decade or so) and "ARRL Radio Amateurs Handbook" (going back for MANY decades). Even decades-old editions start with similar tutorials on basic electronics, though some components that might be mentioned (20 percent tolerance resistors, 709 op-amps) may be hard to find.
Another good start with an evolving path is the works of author G. Randy Slone.
Starting with:
"TAB Electronics Guide to Understanding Electricity and Electronics"
ISBN-10: 0071360573
Randy guides you through basic tools of the trade, beginning electronic theories and how to apply them, practical construction of a lab power supply, and later in the book he begins with some practical discrete audio amplifiers.
With careful attention to this book and following the projects included within it is very reasonable to say that you could go from an absolute novice to having practical knowledge and experience in matters of audio amplifier and power supply construction.
Randy's later books:
"The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook: 120 High-Performance Audio Electronics Projects"
ISBN-10: 0071379290
and
High-Power Audio Amplifier Construction Manual
ISBN-10: 0071341196
Expand on the audio construction theme.
The project source book covers everything from filters to VU meters to high power amplifiers while the construction manual delves into all things audio amps detailing the different types and giving project examples of an "A" class amplifier and many "AB" types.
If you are interested in Hi-FI audio construction it is hard to go wrong with any of G. Randy Slones books.
MAKE: Electronics by Charles Platt is a recent book that covers general electronics fundamentals in an informal and enjoyable way. This doesn't go very deep into electronics theory, but it may be the way to get started when other books seem too much like incomprehensible college textbooks.