If you want higher dirty currents, lower temperature stability, lower Ft, go for Germanium transistors...
The best transistors I ever saw, were Arsenide Gallium FETs, with multiple channels, V-shaped gates, with Schottky barriers. However, technology 30 years ago could not produce reliable output with predictable parameters, but that experimental transistors were superb!
I do not know if somebody today can make them, because looking at modern PNP transistors that are much simpler I still see a wide spread of parameters, like 30 years before.
The best transistors I ever saw, were Arsenide Gallium FETs, with multiple channels, V-shaped gates, with Schottky barriers. However, technology 30 years ago could not produce reliable output with predictable parameters, but that experimental transistors were superb!
I do not know if somebody today can make them, because looking at modern PNP transistors that are much simpler I still see a wide spread of parameters, like 30 years before.
bata bane said:hi there, just wanted to put curiositi...on fire
my friend made me a... Single Ended full Germanium class A amplifier
after months and months of hard beging...finaly
24V power supply...3.5A bias curent per chanel😀
I think that's great. There are too many designs all the same ( but slightly different 🙂 )
Bet that wasn't made on a simulator.
Fantastic job.
you do not like the spice simulator tool, Mooly 😉
i am a bit different, because
in diy audio as in my ordinary daily life
i use whatever tool i find i need
to help me do what i want to do in an effective way
Of course I feel really ashamed to be a cheater like this:
- i use the tool of hammer to hit the nail, screwdriver to attach screws
even if would be more romantic and honest to use my bare hand
- i use one drill to make holes in aluminium heatsink
even if using my own nail would be more romantic and honest
- when i goto Stockholm i will go by swedish railways or airplane
even if more romantic and honest would be to use my bike
or take one walk those 722 km (450 miles)
- i even cheat by use electrical cooker to prepare my dinner
even if our romantic and honest way would be
to make up one fire with some woods on my kitchen floor
The safety match was invented in 1844 by swedish Gustaf Erik Pasch
and was improved by swedish John Edvard Lundström a decade later.
- i even use our swedish matches to make a fire
when truly romantic and honest smelling would be to use native original metods:
i am a bit different, because
in diy audio as in my ordinary daily life
i use whatever tool i find i need
to help me do what i want to do in an effective way
Of course I feel really ashamed to be a cheater like this:
- i use the tool of hammer to hit the nail, screwdriver to attach screws
even if would be more romantic and honest to use my bare hand
- i use one drill to make holes in aluminium heatsink
even if using my own nail would be more romantic and honest
- when i goto Stockholm i will go by swedish railways or airplane
even if more romantic and honest would be to use my bike
or take one walk those 722 km (450 miles)
- i even cheat by use electrical cooker to prepare my dinner
even if our romantic and honest way would be
to make up one fire with some woods on my kitchen floor

The safety match was invented in 1844 by swedish Gustaf Erik Pasch
and was improved by swedish John Edvard Lundström a decade later.
- i even use our swedish matches to make a fire
when truly romantic and honest smelling would be to use native original metods:
1. Place the point of a straight stick into a groove in a piece of bark or flat wood.
Ideally, both of these pieces contain no sap or moisture.
2. Rub the stick vigorously between your hands, while the point creates friction against the other piece of wood.
3. Eventually the wood will heat until it creates a small ember which you can drop in the tinder nest.
Attachments
Wavebourn said:The best transistors I ever saw, were Arsenide Gallium FETs, with multiple channels, V-shaped gates, with Schottky barriers. However, technology 30 years ago could not produce reliable output with predictable parameters, but that experimental transistors were superb!
New technology can't produce predictable parameters, either. Back when GaAs FETs were being developed, they were HOT - but every other lot was a dud. Move 'em to the production line and they get way more uniform - but the fTs fell from 30 GHz down to 27, 25, 22. Then they had to go to 0.15um to get the performance back 🙂 and it starts all over again.
Right now GaN is where GaAs was 20 years ago. Smokin' hot when they work. I just hope it's half of what it promises when the technology finally matures.
Mooly said:🙂 No simulator. Have to build it and test under all conditions. More fun too 😉
Let me tell you my friend about fun...the constructor wanted to ignite himself on several occasions...
There are no rules or predictions whit Ge transistors…they are totally ineradicable…that is the only sure thing about them….
That is the point, maybe…”to boldly go where no one has gone before” (Cap. Kirk)
….and have fun of course😉
I'm surprised no one mentioned it, but Bob Carver used 2N1304 and 2N1305 germaniums in the driver board for the Phase Linear 400 Series I. That may be one of the reasons that it sounds so warm.
VintageDave said:I'm surprised no one mentioned it, but Bob Carver used 2N1304 and 2N1305 germaniums in the driver board for the Phase Linear 400 Series I. That may be one of the reasons that it sounds so warm.
The 1304/1305's are IN THE CURRENT LIMIT CIRCUITS!!!! In normal operation, those transistors aren't doing anything.
The only thing "warm" about a PL400 is the heat sink when driving 4 ohm loads.

Thank you so much for your clever observation.
I run 4 ohm loads on mine all day long and when biased right I haven't ever had a problem. (33 years and counting) If your amp isn't getting warm you're not using it.
I run 4 ohm loads on mine all day long and when biased right I haven't ever had a problem. (33 years and counting) If your amp isn't getting warm you're not using it.
I have a very old Pioneer Receiver with Germanium transistors. Anybody want it for free? Pick up only in CT - 06611.
It was given to me recently and I have no use for it - certainly needs restoration. Did not even power it up and do not plan to.
Pete B.
It was given to me recently and I have no use for it - certainly needs restoration. Did not even power it up and do not plan to.
Pete B.
does any one know any good germainum transistors to use
for a preamp one that dont have a high gain ?
ac127/ac128
for power 2n278/2n174
Raise this interesting topic . ......A couple of years ago I decided to make a germanium Phono preamp . Have done 2 preamp . One - on military transistors USSR ( П-28 , МП-26Б ) . The second preamp is transistors Telefunken ( AC-122 ) . The preamps sounded good. I gave one to a friend . The second use myself .
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