OK, I see I have explained badly. My apologies. I have already built an M2, using a transformer similar to the one you describe. (I like the amp, BTW.) That is not what I am talking about doing here.
I have two transformers. Each is 160VA, 25V - 0 - 25V center-tapped secondaries. So dividing by the usual 2.5 safety factor, I have something like 60 - 70 watts per channel to play with.
I am considering trying a mini-M2 using these transformers. (With some sort of different front end.) A PSU with such a transformer is going to give +/- 32V or so after rectifying and smoothing. Maybe a little more, but probably not less. This is far more rail voltage than I need.
If I bias at around 800mA then I'll continuously burn 51W on the heatsink. But this should be within the capability of the PSU.
At 800mA bias I have should have around 10W output power in class A. I calculate that as follows. Bias of 800mA means the amp leaves class A when peak current on the output is 1.6A (push-pull, so twice the bias, right?). Into an 8R load that is 8 x (1.6)^2 /2 = 10.24 W. (Dividing by 2 for RMS rather than peak current.)
Does that sound right? (I'm not an engineer, in case it wasn't already obvious.)
My question: If the last calculation is correct then my guess is that I should have more power available in class AB, but how can you calculate/estimate it?
Thanks
Nigel
Hi ZM,
I realise the front end is going to have to be thought out. And yes, I understand the higher rails may be a problem for that.
The starting point was these nice transformers and what to do with them. (Which as you say is probably the wrong way round to do things.) A smaller class A amp than the Pass amps I've made seemed a possibility, so I started thinking about what class A output would be, then realised I didn't know how to figure out what class AB output might be. Hence the question.
Nigel
Hi 6L6,
Yes, I understand the main point is that the rail voltage is higher, not that it's AB. But it certainly won't be class A beyond relatively low power if bias is only 800mA, right? Anyway there are front ends that can handle such rails. Like BA3 FE, for instance, I think. I guess I'd better think about the whole plan and repost later.
I'd still like to know if 10W in class A sounds right, for 800mA bias? (I don't think biasing higher is reasonable with the higher rails and smaller trafos.)
Best
Nigel
Yes, I understand the main point is that the rail voltage is higher, not that it's AB. But it certainly won't be class A beyond relatively low power if bias is only 800mA, right? Anyway there are front ends that can handle such rails. Like BA3 FE, for instance, I think. I guess I'd better think about the whole plan and repost later.
I'd still like to know if 10W in class A sounds right, for 800mA bias? (I don't think biasing higher is reasonable with the higher rails and smaller trafos.)
Best
Nigel
Regardless of the specific amp...
~11-12W into 8R => ~10Vrms ~1A6rms
Close enough.
2 x 160VA => More VAs than 1 x 300VA transformer used in a production M2 if you don't want to bother with figures etc.
That's how I might think about it... but ... my thoughts are often wrong.
Edited to add - but... when YOU are thinking about it... the total dissipation is also a direct function of the rail voltages... so, until you settle on that... you won't know if you're good to go or not.
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Maybe this will help you, Section 5.1 in particular :
https://sound-au.com/power-supplies.htm
Note that to get full use of the higher rail voltage, the front end must be capable of the high voltage output as well.
The OPA551, for example, is rated at +/-30V rails absolute maximum.
The corresponding maximum output is then +/-27V.
A unity gain buffer OPS is likely to lose another volt or so.
So irrespective of bias and amplifier class, you are not likely to get more power than that.
Hope this helps,
Patrick
https://sound-au.com/power-supplies.htm
Note that to get full use of the higher rail voltage, the front end must be capable of the high voltage output as well.
The OPA551, for example, is rated at +/-30V rails absolute maximum.
The corresponding maximum output is then +/-27V.
A unity gain buffer OPS is likely to lose another volt or so.
So irrespective of bias and amplifier class, you are not likely to get more power than that.
Hope this helps,
Patrick
AB power is relate to voltage psu ,live the A is relate to 2xbias current
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/rail-voltage-chart-for-amps.177382/
Front ends that include a step-up transformer, operate on different principles. For example, the First Watt M2 front end includes an Edcor PC600-15K transformer whose turns ratio is 1:5 (see post #1 of this thread). To get an output swing from -40V (trough) to +40V (peak) at M2's Edcor secondary, you need to drive its primary with a swing from -8V to +8V.
A large number of discrete circuits, and integrated circuits, are able to swing 16 volts peak to peak -- so there are plenty of options available to builders who decide to include a transformer in their front end. You don't need 60 volt opamp chips (or 60 volt discrete circuits) when there's a step up transformer; M2x Tucson and M2x Cedarburg exhibit a couple of ways to safely use plain ordinary +/- 15V circuits (IC chips) which are fed from much higher voltage supplies, and those are only the tip of the iceberg.
decide your FE arrangement, so we can detail that first
OS is doable with your xformers, no doubt
though - probably too much of hassle, for my liking