book

Practical Audio Electronics

by Kevin Robinson

February 2020

Intermediate to advanced

440 pages

12h 34m

English

Focal Press

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Key Concepts in ElectricityElectric ChargeStatic and Current ElectricityCurrent and CircuitsDirect and Alternating CurrentVoltageResistancePowerElectricity and MagnetismConductors and InsulatorsReferences
Pure SiliconDoped SiliconThe P-N JunctionDiodes and TransistorsGermanium SemiconductorsReferences
Mains Power Generation and DistributionBuilding WiringThe Fuse BoxWiring SafetyAppliance Protection ClassesThree Phase PowerReferences
Time Domain and Frequency Domain RepresentationsPhase and PolarityRectificationClippingCrossover DistortionThe Sine WaveComplex SignalsDecibelsReferences
Passive ComponentsSemiconductor DevicesVacuum TubesTransducersMiscellaneous ComponentsReferences
Block DiagramsSchematic DiagramsBreadboard LayoutsStripboard LayoutsA More Elaborate ExampleReferences
Bench Power Supply UnitsFunction GeneratorsMultimetersOscilloscopesAudio Analysers and Advanced Test GearReferences
Primary QuantitiesOhm’s LawWatt’s LawKirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL)Applying the Four LawsReferences
The Project PipelineInitial Idea, Concept Development, and Background ResearchProcurementPrototyping, Testing, Development, and Final Layout DesignCircuit BuildingPackagingReferences
Project I – Low Power Audio AmplifierProject II – Stepped-Tone GeneratorProject III – Modulation EffectReferences
E-Series Preferred ValuesToleranceResistor Colour CodesPower RatingMaterial and Temperature CoefficientElectrical BehaviourSeries Rule and Parallel RuleVoltage Divider Rule (VDR)Variable ResistorsPhotoresistorsThermistorsInstructive ExamplesReferences
CapacitorsInductorsCharacteristics of Capacitors and InductorsDevice ImpedanceSeries and Parallel RulesRLC CircuitsReferences
How Transformers WorkTransformation EquationsSchematic SymbolsTransformer Types and ApplicationsReferences
Switch StylesPoles and ThrowsMomentary vs. LatchingBreak-Before-Make vs. Make-Before-BreakPositions vs. Throws – On/Off Switch Position DesignatorsCircuit SymbolsElectro-Mechanical and Electronic SwitchesInstructive ExamplesReferences
Electrical CharacteristicsDiode TypesSchematic SymbolsCircuitsReferences
Transistor TypesGeneral Use and OperationBipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs)Junction Field Effect Transistors (JFETs)Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors (MOSFETs)References
Selected ICsOpampsIC Power AmpsLM317 Voltage RegulatorNE555 Precision Timer4000 Series ICsAnalog OptocouplersReferences
Principles of OperationDiode TubesTriode TubesLow Voltage Tube CircuitsReferences
MicrophonesLoudspeaker DriversCoil PickupsPiezo ElementsReverb PansReferences
Primary QuantitiesDecibel EquationsFundamental LawsResistor EquationsRLC EquationsTransformer EquationsOpamp Equations
Circuit IndexBreadboard LayoutsStripboard Layouts

Content preview from Practical Audio Electronics

19 | Vacuum Tubes

Vacuum tubes (aka thermionic valves) were the forerunners of semiconductor devices such as diodes and transistors. There are quite a few different types of vacuum tubes but the discussion here is restricted to the commonest two variants, diode tubes, and triode tubes. These two types in particular correspond closely to the functionality of semiconductor diodes and transistors respectively.

The semiconductor alternatives have many advantages over their vacuum tube fore-bears – size, robustness, reliability, power consumption, and linearity of operation come to mind. However, for some applications – and to some ears – the different character which vacuum ...