Super Class A 30W amplifier

Music Technology

Gareth Branwyn is a freelance writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture. He is currently a contributor to Boing Boing, Wink Books, and Wink Fun. His free weekly-ish maker tips newsletter can be found at garstipsandtools.com.

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@garethb2

February 13th, 2009 20

I love ogling these crazed homebrewed audio power amps that people build. This one is based on Jean Hiraga’s 20W Class-A Amplifier, but it’s been tricked out further to become the “Super Class A 30W Amplifier.” Check out those monster caps. Those are six 220000 uF capacitors (1.2 Farads!) and (in the center) that’s a 500VA potted toroid transformer for the power supply. Even with that significant heat sinking in the back, the sink’s still a scorcher, at over 100-degress above room temp.

Construction of a Class-A Amplifier