Vacuum Tube Circuit Design: Guitar Amplifier Power Amps

The power amp transforms the carefully crafted signal voltages served up by the preamp stages into the punch and sizzle that defines a guitar amplifier's character. It is in the power stage that the designer orchestrates the nuances of touch and tone in an environment of vacuum tubes and circuit components being pushed to their limits.

Written for electronic engineers and professional amp builders, Guitar Amplifier Power Amps moves beyond simplistic advice and cookbook solutions to present a complete guide to the theory and operation of single-ended and push-pull power amplification. From the phase inverter input to the loudspeaker output, every aspect of circuit design is rigorously explained and thoroughly explored. Find out what happens when Class A1 and Class AB1 circuits are overdriven to distortion levels never imagined by Frederick Terman or the Radiotron Designer's Handbook. Discover step-by-step how to design phase inverters and power amps to achieve your specific design goals. The dynamics of power amp distortion create the heart and soul of an amplifier. Guitar Amplifier Power Amps helps you get the most out of it.

Free online calculators to supplement the material presented in the book are posted on the publisher's website at ampbooks.com.