Has anyone built or looked at this design? I am interested in looking at building a Class A amp for my system. Let me know what you think. All suggestions welcome. Thanks
http://www.gmweb.btinternet.co.uk/curtispwr.htm
Later
😎
http://www.gmweb.btinternet.co.uk/curtispwr.htm
Later
😎
I would categorize this as a project for someone with
some experience, as it is more complicated than a
Zen or a KSA50. On the other hand, there doesn't
appear to be anything wrong with it.
😎
some experience, as it is more complicated than a
Zen or a KSA50. On the other hand, there doesn't
appear to be anything wrong with it.
😎
It seems to be a proper design in my eyes.
If the distortion figures are true, they are rather impressive if one takes th rather low loop-gain into account.
Nelsson:
Nice to see you here. 🙂
If the distortion figures are true, they are rather impressive if one takes th rather low loop-gain into account.
Nelsson:
Nice to see you here. 🙂
Thank you everyone for your replies. I am very new to DIY Electronics, electronics in general actually. Some of my questions may reflect this so please bear with me.
Nelson, thanks for the input, I am definitely looking closer at the Zen Amps, mainly because of the level of support you and others give. I have been known to be a little ambitious at times though, hence the Curtis' amp.
Shadow, I plan on using the amps as is. Actually my ultimate goal is quite extensive. This is only the first step. My completed set up, as I plan it now will be:
2 Mono 60W Class A - 2 Channel Stereo Music Only
6 Mono ESP Project 3A Amps - Multi channel Home Theatre
All of this will be run from my HTPC (in progress of being built)
Using this as my pre-amp, all digital decoding being done via software allowing it to be upgraded anytime plus ability to try different things in the never ending search for the best you can get. I know this statement may start a fight but it is what I have, so maybe it should be stated as "the best you gan get with what you have".
I may look at bi-amping and active crossovers down the line but they are not planned as of yet. I am going to wait and see how difficult it is to build and how much it costs before I look at bi-amping.
Needless to say I have alot of learning yet to do.
Any help is verrry welcome. Thanks everyone
😎
Nelson, thanks for the input, I am definitely looking closer at the Zen Amps, mainly because of the level of support you and others give. I have been known to be a little ambitious at times though, hence the Curtis' amp.
Shadow, I plan on using the amps as is. Actually my ultimate goal is quite extensive. This is only the first step. My completed set up, as I plan it now will be:
2 Mono 60W Class A - 2 Channel Stereo Music Only
6 Mono ESP Project 3A Amps - Multi channel Home Theatre
All of this will be run from my HTPC (in progress of being built)
Using this as my pre-amp, all digital decoding being done via software allowing it to be upgraded anytime plus ability to try different things in the never ending search for the best you can get. I know this statement may start a fight but it is what I have, so maybe it should be stated as "the best you gan get with what you have".
I may look at bi-amping and active crossovers down the line but they are not planned as of yet. I am going to wait and see how difficult it is to build and how much it costs before I look at bi-amping.
Needless to say I have alot of learning yet to do.
Any help is verrry welcome. Thanks everyone
😎
No comments on the Stan Curtiss design yet.
But, if you really want Class A and don't want to try any Zen or X stuff, I would really strongly recommend taking a look at Nelson's 20W Class A amp from 1977 (don't be concerned about the date!): http://passdiy.com/pdf/classa_amp.pdf
For those of use with vast collections of nice bipolar output devices that are begging for a project to be used in, to my mind this is the one. I still think it is a stellar performer. I know folks who have built these, still use 'em and won't trade for anything.
Who knows all the tweaks and mods you could do to this design!
mlloyd1
But, if you really want Class A and don't want to try any Zen or X stuff, I would really strongly recommend taking a look at Nelson's 20W Class A amp from 1977 (don't be concerned about the date!): http://passdiy.com/pdf/classa_amp.pdf
For those of use with vast collections of nice bipolar output devices that are begging for a project to be used in, to my mind this is the one. I still think it is a stellar performer. I know folks who have built these, still use 'em and won't trade for anything.
Who knows all the tweaks and mods you could do to this design!
mlloyd1
Audiofng said:
It looks ok to me, but a little complicated.
I would like something with a balanced input pair.
I would make something simpler also. Not as a beginner but it sounds also better.
I would like something with a balanced input pair.
I would make something simpler also. Not as a beginner but it sounds also better.
I remember the Stan Curtis amp project from when it was first published. It was, as I recall, very well regarded by many. At least two companies were selling the project as a kit of parts for several years.
Even considered it myself, but being a penniless student at the time....I do still have the original article though.
Cheers
Paul
Even considered it myself, but being a penniless student at the time....I do still have the original article though.
Cheers
Paul
Take a look at my variant:
http://cp.people.overclockers.ru/cgi-bin/dl.pl?id=11442&filename=s_curtis_clA_tweaked.gif
hmm.. may be this link works better:
http://files.people.overclockers.ru/kuzmenko/s_curtis_clA_tweaked.gif
http://cp.people.overclockers.ru/cgi-bin/dl.pl?id=11442&filename=s_curtis_clA_tweaked.gif
hmm.. may be this link works better:
http://files.people.overclockers.ru/kuzmenko/s_curtis_clA_tweaked.gif
the link in first post has changed
here you will find schematic and article of
Stan Curtis 60W Class-A Amplifier
.... and some other Class A amplifiers
😎
here you will find schematic and article of
Stan Curtis 60W Class-A Amplifier
.... and some other Class A amplifiers
😎
Hi Audiofng
Wrong link !
http://www.gmweb.btinternet.co.uk/curtispwr.htm
As far I know and remember :
The input stage was a Curtis's creation, it's an inverting circuit.
The Curtis class A vas described in magazine Electronics Today International. Commerciallised quite similar, but maybe class B, were the first Mission and (maybe again) Lecson amplifiers. John Watkinson had kind comments on the Lecson saying it was much better than a Quad 405.
I have the ETI and Mission schematics.
~~~~ Forr
§§§
Wrong link !
http://www.gmweb.btinternet.co.uk/curtispwr.htm
As far I know and remember :
The input stage was a Curtis's creation, it's an inverting circuit.
The Curtis class A vas described in magazine Electronics Today International. Commerciallised quite similar, but maybe class B, were the first Mission and (maybe again) Lecson amplifiers. John Watkinson had kind comments on the Lecson saying it was much better than a Quad 405.
I have the ETI and Mission schematics.
~~~~ Forr
§§§
lineup said:
Check the Music Fidelity A1... very much like a bipolar
version of the gurus SKA amp sans bootstrap.
Cheers,
Terry
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