LatFet Amp Based on Philips AH578

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Here is the original schematic of Philips AH578
 

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Any hints for improvement?

Here's some comments about MOSFETs based on designs of others:

LatFETs like the Excions and the old 2SJ62/2SK1058s can break into oscillation which is why designs that use these typically have caps across the G-S on the output devices or use rather large compensation cap values on the VAS transistors. Did you see any oscillation with or without the output inductor?

Some designs also have zener + diode pairs across the gate and source to limit the maximum gate voltage. Shorting the output can destroy the MOSFETs but this addition does provide some basic overload protection.
 
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>tcd1963

1) Exicons have Zeners built in. No need for gate protection Zeners here.
There were several discussions about this here on DIY, and it was confirmed several times already.

2) The role of caps on GS is to equalize input capacitance on both devices (P and N).
Usually N device has lower capacitance than P device, so some designers ADD extra cap on N device to make them equal.
Example: Rod Elliot's P101.
If capacitances are not equal - that may cause oscillations.

Another way of dealing with this issue, is by using DIFFERENT gate stoppers, using formula RC = constant, where R is gate stopper resistor, and C is input capacitance of the FET. Adjust R on the both devices, so RC value are equal on upper and lower FETs.

Example:
Let's say the 2SJ162 has a gate stopper of 100 Ohm and a gate
capacitance of 900pF, the RC time constant is just RgatexCgate=RC time constant,
so 100x900x10^-12=90nS. If we want 'balance' we need a resistance on the gate of
the 2SK1058 that gives the same time constant.
So, Rgate x 600pF = 90nS, solve for Rgate. In this case Rgate needs to be 150 Ohm.

Exicon double die devices: P/N have different capacitance, N device has 900pF LESS input capacitance (I actually measured
it to confirm the datasheet) so in this amp, upper Rg=470 Ohm, and lower Rg = 220 Ohm.


>Did you see any oscillation with or without the output inductor?
Nope :)
It's rock solid stable, like Putin's forehead.

3) In case of HexFets, extra caps 10pF - 220pF from the bases of drivers might be needed - either going to the ground, or to the rail.
That's not the case with LatFets without drivers.
 
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This is amp was supposedly designed/built by Philips.
Here I found on my PC, some old schematic that looks _exactly_ the same,
and it's branded as RCA 92CL-30443 amp.
RCA schematic is using different transistors.
Both amps, Philips and RCA were released in 1978.
I wonder what's the story behind this...
Did RCA work together with Philips on this? Or one copied from another..
 

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