60 Contents

PA300 POWER AMPLIFIER

T here are several starting
points to the design of a
power amplifier: pure hi-fi with-
IC, a Type NE5534 (IC1).
The internal circuit of IC 1 is
shown in the box on further on in
out any compromise; simplicity this article. It may also be of in-
and reliability; high output terest to note that the NE5534 is
power. The design of the present found in nine out of every ten CD
amplifier is a mixture of these. players (as amplifier in the ana-
The result is a unit that does not logue section). This is reflected in
use esoteric components, is not its price which is low. Its only
too complex, and is fairly easily drawback is that its supply volt-
reproduced. In fact, it could well age is far below that of the re-
be named a ‘Hi-fi public address mainder of the amplifier. This
amplifier’. means an additional symmetrical
There will be a few eyebrows supply of ±15 V. Moreover, it re-
raised at the power output of stricts the drive capability of the
300 watts (into 4Ω); it is true, of input stage. The supply require-
course, that in the average living ment is easily met with the aid of
room 30–40 W per channel is a couple of zener diodes and re-
more than sufficient. However, sistors. The drive restriction
peaks in the reproduced music means that the amplifier must
may have a power of 10–20 provide a measure of voltage am-
times the average level. This
Design by A. Riedl plification after the input stage.
means that some reserve power
is desirable. Also, there are loud- Circuit description
speakers around with such a low Taken by themselves, the properties of the
efficiency that a lot more than The input contains a high-pass
30–40W is needed. And, last but PA300 amplifier are not revolutionary. But filter, C5-R3 and a low-pass filter,
not least, there are many people taken in combination, they show something R2-C6. The combination of these
who want an amplifier for rooms special: a robust 300 watt hi-fi power filters limits the bandwidth of the
much larger than the average liv- input stage to a realistic value: it
ing room, such as an amateur
amplifier that is not too difficult to build. is not necessary for signals well
music hall. outside the audio range to be
amplified – in fact, this may well
Straightforward design output. One of the IC s is not in the signal give rise to difficulties.
path and this immediately points to it being Opamp IC1 is arranged as a differential
Since every amplifier contains a certain part of a protection circuit. What is uncon- amplifier; its non-inverting (+) input func-
number of standard components, the circuit ventional is an IC in the input stage. tions as the meeting point for the overall
of F i g . 1 will look pretty familiar to most Normally, this stage consists of a differential feedback. The feedback voltage, taken from
audio enthusiasts. Two aspects may hit the amplifier followed by a voltage amplifier of junction D7-D8, is applied to junction R4-R5
eye: the higher than usual supply voltage sorts, often also a differential amplifier, to via R9. Any necessary compensation is pro-
and the presence of a couple of IC s. The drive the predriver stages. In the PA300, vided by C9, C12 and C14. The voltage am-
first is to be expected in view of the power the entire input stage is contained in one plification is determined by the ratio R9:R5,
which in the present circuit is ×40.
The output of IC 1 is applied to drive
stages T1 and T3 via R6. These transistors
T e c h n i c a l d a t a (measured with power supply shown in Fig. 2) operate in Class A: the current drawn by
them is set to 10 mA by voltage divider
Input sensitivity 1 Vrms R 10-R 13 and their respective emitter re-
Input impedance 17.8 kΩ sistors. Their voltage and current amplifi-
Power output (0.1% THD) 164 W into 8 Ω cation is appreciable, which is as required
275 W into 4 Ω for the link between the input and output
Music power(500 Hz burst 176 W into 8 Ω stages.
5 cycles on, 5 cycles off) 306 W into 4 Ω The output amplifier proper consists of
Power bandwidth (90 W into 8 Ω) 7 Hz–67 kHz drive stages T 6 and T 7 and power transis-
Slew rate 20 V/µs tors T 8, T 9, T 14, T 15. which have been
Signal-to-noise ratio (referred >96 dB (A-weighted) arranged as symmetrical power darlingtons.
to 1 W into 8 Ω) Because of the high power, the output tran-
Harmonic distortion (THD+N) at 1 W into 8 Ω: <0.004% (1 kHz) sistors are connected in parallel. The types
(bandwidth 80 kHz) at 150 W into 8 Ω: <0.001% (1 kHz) used can handle a collector current of 20 A
<0.05% (20 Hz–20 kHz) and have a maximum dissipation of 250 W.
Intermodulation distortion at 1 W into 8 Ω: <0.003% The output stages operate in Class AB
(50 Hz:1 kHz; 4:1) at 100 W into 8 Ω: <0.0035% to ensure a smooth transition between the
Dynamic IM (rectangular 1 W into 8 Ω: <0.004% n-p-n and p-n-p transistors, which prevents
wave + 15 kHz sine wave) 150 W into 8 Ω: <0.06% cross-over distortion. This requires a small
Damping factor (at 8 Ω) <345 at 1 kHz current through the power transistors, even
<275 at 20 kHz in the absence of an input signal. This cur-
rent is provided by ‘zener’ transistor T 2,

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995

 PA300 POWER AMPLIFIER 61
Contents
which puts a small voltage on the bases of nal level drops, the current will diminish rectangular signals are not adversely af-
T6 and T7 so that these transistors just con- only slowly until it has reached its nominal fected by the inductor.
duct in quiescent operation. The level of value.
the quiescent current is set accurately with Diodes D7, D8 protect the output stages Protection circuits
P 1. against possible counter voltages generated
To ensure maximum thermal stability, by the complex load. Resistor R 30 and ca- As any reliable amplifier, the PA300 is pro-
transistors T 1–T 3 and T 6–T 7 are mounted pacitor C 17 form a Boucherot network to vided with adequate protection measures.
on and the same heat sink. This keeps the enhance the stability at high frequencies. These start with fuses F 1 and F 2, which
quiescent current within certain limits. Inductor L1 prevents any problems with ca- guard against high currents in case of over-
With high drive signals, this current can pacitive loads (electrostatic loudspeakers). load or short-circuits. Since even fast fuses
reach a high level, but when the input sig- Resistor R 29 ensures that the transfer of are often not fast enough to prevent the
60V

60V
HP1
LS1

950092 - 11
6A3 T

6A3 T

BC639
LS+

LS–
F1

F2
RE1
R43

T13
1k5

1N4002
D11

D13

R38
B

3k3

R41
33k
R42

R40

AC
F
H

3k3 4k7

1N4004
1W5
15V
siehe Text

D10
* voir texte

D12
tekst
text

IC2b
*
2Ω2
R29

MJ15004
MJ15003
T8, T14 =

T9, T15 =
* see

L1

R30

C17

33n
* zie

R37

R35
10Ω

6
*

15k 1k5
254

254
BY

BY
D7

D8

R36

R44

C20

25V
I

47µ
470k 47Ω
R26

R28

T15

T12
BC337
0Ω27 0Ω27

R50

470n
R33

C19
G

G
R25

R27
T14

47k 120k
T9

0Ω27 0Ω27
T8

T7
G

G
T6

T11
56Ω

2x BC337
MJE15030

MJE15031
R24

IC2
R22

R23

4
R20

R21
150n

150n
1k

1k
C15

C16

D6
D5

27k 27k
R32

R34
1N4148 T10
D3...D6 = 1N4004

100k 100k
D3

D4
T4

556B T5

D14

D9

50V
R49

C18

47µ
B
546B

3k3
BC

BC
10Ω

10Ω
R18

R19
250Ω
R16

R17

IC2 = LM393
680Ω 180Ω
1
BD139

MJE340
MJE350

P1

IC2a
1M
R48
T1

T3
D

D
T2

680n

2
C13

150Ω 150Ω J
R46
R10 R14

R13 R15

27k 1k40
470p

D16
C14
D15

R11

R12

R47

R45
KTY81-122

560Ω 15k 15k 560Ω 27k

BAT85

BAT85
100n

100n

A'

B'
C10

C11
560Ω

B
C

C
10k

R39
100n

100n
R31
R6

B
C1

C2
R7

R8
6

3k3 3k3
8

NE5534

BC639

C
33p
C9

C
7

4
IC1

Clip
100n

C12

100n
5

47p
22k

MJ15003
MJ15004
C3

C4
R9

100n
2

C8

B
-F
F

D1

D2

BC546B
BC556B
BC337

E
50V

E
R4

R5

C7

B
1W5

1k 560Ω
15V

1W5
15V
A

C
47µ
C6

1n
G 27mV

J 0V76

R3
F 15V

H 24V

1V4

MJE15030
MJE15031

22k
E
MJE350
MJE340

B
BD139
I

C
2k2

C
C5 R2

B
E
A 10...30mV

2µ2

R1

68k
E ≈2V3
C 2V1

D 1V5
B 0V

Fig. 1. With the exception of an IC at the input, the circuit of the PA300 amplifier is conventional.

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995

62 AUDIO & HI-FI
Contents
power transistors giving up the ghost in
such circumstances, an electronic short-cir- 400V/35A
cuit protection circuit, based on T4 and T5,
3A15 T
has been provided. When, owing to an
overload or short-circuit, very high currents 4x 10,000µ
Mains
begin to flow through resistors R25 and R27, power-on
100V
60V
the potential drop across these resistors will delay
exceed the base-emitter threshold voltage
of T 4 and T 5. These transistors then con-
duct and short-circuit or reduce drive signal
2x 42V5
at their bases. The output current then 625VA
drops to zero.
If a direct voltage appears at the output
terminals, or the temperature of the heat
sink rises unduly, relay Re 1 removes the
60V
load from the output. The loudspeakers are 2x 1N4004
also disconnected by the relay when the
mains is switched on (power-on delay) to
prevent annoying clicks and plops.
The circuits that make all this possible

1k8
consist of dual comparator IC2, transistors
1W
T10–T13, and indicator diodes D13 and D14.
They are powered by the 15 V line pro- relay
10µ 24V
vided by zener diode D10 and resistor R42.
The ‘AC ’ terminal on the PCB is linked to 63V
one of the secondary outputs on the mains AC
transformer. As soon as the mains is
switched on, an alternating voltage appears 950092 - 14
at that terminal, which is rectified by D 12
and applied as a negative potential to T 12 Fig. 2. The power supply is straightforward, but can handle a large current. Voltage ‘AC’
via R50. The transistor will then be cut off, serves as drive for the power-on delay circuit.
so that C20 is charged via R36 and R44. As
long as charging takes place, the inverting
(+) input of comparator IC 2b is low w.r.t. D13 goes out) and the loudspeakers are con- as follows. The output voltage is applied to
the non-inverting (–) input. The output of nected to the output. When the mains is T 10 and T 11 via potential divider R 32-R 34.
IC 2b is also low, so that T 13 is cut off and switched off, the relay is deenergized in- Alternating voltages are short-circuited to
the relay is not energized. This state is indi- stantly, whereupon the loudspeakers are ground by C 18. However, direct voltages
cated by the lighting of D13. When C20 has disconnected so that any switch-off noise is greater than +1.7 V or more negative than
been charged fully, the comparator changes not audible. –4.8 V switch on T 10 or T 11 immediately.
state, the relay is energized (whereupon The direct-voltage protection operates This causes the +ve input of IC 2a to be
pulled down, whereupon this comparator
changes state, T13 is cut off, and the relay is
deenergized. This state is again indicated
by the lighting of D13.
Strictly speaking, temperature protec-
tion is not necessary, but it offers that little
bit extra security. The temperature sensor
is R 39, a PTC (positive temperature coeffi-
cient) type, which is located on the board in
a position where it rests against the rectan-
gular bracket. Owing to a rising tempera-
ture, the value of R39 increases until the po-
tential at the –ve input of IC2a rises above
the level at the +ve input set by divider
R45-R46, whereupon the output of IC2a goes
low. This causes IC 2b to change state,
whereupon T 13 is cut off and the relay is
deenergized. This time, the situation is indi-
cated by the lighting of D14. The circuit has
been designed to operate when the tem-
perature of the heat sink rises above 70 °C.
Any relay clatter may be obviated by re-
ducing the value of R48.
The terminal marked ‘CLIP’ on the PCB
is connected to the output of IC1 via R31. It
serves to obtain an external overdrive indi-
cation, which may be a simple combination
of a comparator and LED . Normally, this
terminal is left open.

Fig. 3. This close-up photograph shows clearly how the transistors Power supply
are fitted to the heat sink via a rectangular bracket. As with most power amplifiers, the ±60 V

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995

 PA300 POWER AMPLIFIER 63
Contents
power supply need not be regulated. Owing to
the relatively high power output, the supply needs H2

a fairly large mains transformer and corre-

6A3/T
sponding smoothing capacitors—see F i g . 2.

F2
Note that the supply shown is for a mono ampli-

T15
R28
fier; a stereo outfit needs two supplies.

-
D8
The transformer is a 625 VA type, and the
smoothing capacitors are 10 000 µF, 100 V R27
electrolytic types. The bridge rectifier needs
to be mounted on a suitable heat sink or be
R23

0
mounted directly on the bottom cover of the R21 C16
R8

metal enclosure.. The transformer needs two

D2

C2
secondary windings, providing 42.5 V each. The

T5
T9

C4
prototype used a toroidal transformer with
D6
2×40 V secondaries. The secondary winding L1/R29
of this type of transformer is easily extended:

LS+
P1
in the prototype 4 turns were added and this

D4
gave secondaries of 2×42.5 V.
The box ‘Mains power-on delay’ provides

RE1

LS-
R24

D11
a gradual build-up of the mains voltage, which

T7

C12
in a high-power amplifier is highly advisable.

R15
R13
R19

R9
A suitable design was published in 305 Circuits

R4
(page 115).

R2
T3

D16
R5
The relay and associated drive circuit is in-

R3
C5

T
C11

C7
tended to be connected to terminal ‘AC’ on the R12

R1
IC1
board, where it serves to power the power-on
1-290059
950092-1

T2

R17

C6
circuit. If a slight degradation of the amplifier R6 C9

C13
performance is acceptable, this relay and cir- R31

C8
R16

AC Clip
cuit may be omitted and the PCB terminal con-
D15
R7
T1

C10

C1
C3
nected directly to one of the transformer sec- D1
ondaries. C14 C19 D12
T6

D14
T12
R18

Construction

R32
R14
R10
R11

R47

R38
D10
R50
R33

R45
R48
R46
R49
T11

D13
R39

C17
Building the amplifier is surprisingly
simple. The printed-circuit board in F i g . 4

A’ T10
D9
A

is well laid out and provides ample room.

Populating the board is as usual best
B

R44 IC2
started with the passive components, then C20 B’
T8

the electrolytic capacitors, fuses and relay.

D3

R42

R43
R40
R36
R30

There are no ‘difficult’ parts. D5

R35
R37
R41
Circuits IC1 and IC2 are best mounted in R20
R34
T13
appropriate sockets.
T4

Diodes D13 and D14 will, of course, have C15

C18

to be fitted on the front panel of the enclos- R22

+
ure and are connected to the board by
lengths of flexible circuit wire. R25
T14

Inductor L 1 is a DIY component; i con-

sists of 15 turns of 1 mm. dia. enamelled
D7

copper wire around R29 (not too tight!).

6A3/T

R26
F1

Since most of the transistors are to be

mounted on and the same heat sink, they
H1

are all located at one side of the board.

However, they should first be fitted on a
rectangular bracket, which is secured to the
heat sink and the board—see F i g . 3. Note Fig. 4a. Component layout of the printed-circuit board
that the heat sink shown in this photograph for the 300 W power amplifier.
proved too small when 4 Ω loudspeakers
were used. With 8 Ω speakers, it was just
about all right, but with full drive over sus- speaker leads and power lines are clearly combined into a mono amplifier, or two
tained periods, the temperature protection marked on the board. Use the special flat each may be built into a stereo amplifier
circuits were actuated. If such situations are AMP connectors for this purpose: these have unit. Our preference is for mono amplifiers,
likely to be encountered, forced cooling large-surface contacts that can handle large since these run the least risk of earth loops
must be used. currents. The loudspeaker cable should and the difficulties associated with those. It
As already stated, temperature sensor have a cross-sectional area of not less than is advisable to make the ‘0’ of the supply
R39 should rest (with its flat surface) against 2.5 mm2. the centre of the earth connections of the
the rectangular bracket. On the board, ter- electrolytic capacitors and the centre tap of
minals ‘ A’ and ‘ B ’ terminals to the left of Finally the transformer.
R39 must be connected to ‘A’ and ‘B’ above The single earthing point on the supply
IC 2 with a twisted pair of lengths of insu- How the amplifier and power supply are as- and the board must be connected to the en-
lated circuit wire as shown in Fig. 3. sembled is largely a question of individual closure earth by a short, heavy-duty cable.
The points where to connect the loud- taste and requirement. The two may be This means that the input socket must be

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995

64 AUDIO & HI-FI
Contents
20 Hz to 20 kHz.with a bandwidth of
80 kHz and a power output of 150 W into 8
Ω. Up to 1 kHz, the distortion is very low
and then increases, which is usual and
caused by the inertia of the semiconductors.
Figure 5b shows the distortion at 1 kHz
as a function of the output level at a band-
width of 22 Hz to 22 kHz. The dashed
curve refers to a load of 4 Ω and the solid
curve to a load of 8 Ω. The irregularities
between 10 W and 100 W are not caused
by the amplifier but by the limits of the
measuring range of the analyser. From the
clipping points, the curves rise almost verti-
cally.
Figure 5c shows the maximum for a dis-
tortion of 0.1%. The dashed curve (4 Ω
load) is very close to the 300 W line. The
small reduction at low frequencies is caused
by the imperfectness of the electrolytic
buffer capacitors in the power supply.
Figure 5d shows the Fourier analysis of a
1 kHz signal for a power output of 1 W into
8 Ω. The fundamental frequency is sup-
pressed. The 2nd and 3rd harmonics are
down by 110 dB and 120 dB respectively

950092-1
referred to the fundamental frequency. The
THD + N figure at this measurement was
0.0009%.

Parts list
R e s i s t o r s:
R1 = 68 kΩ
R2 = 2.2 kΩ
R3, R9 = 22 kΩ
R4, R22, R23 = 1 kΩ
R5, R6, R10, R13 = 560 Ω
R7, R8, R42 = 3.3 kΩ, 5 W
R11, R12, R37 = 15 kΩ
R14, R15 = 150 Ω
R16 = 680 Ω
R17 = 180 Ω
R18, R19 = 10 Ω
R20, R21, R46, R47 = 27 kΩ
R24 = 56 Ω
R25–R28 = 0.27 Ω, 5 W
R29 = 2.2 Ω, 5 W
R30 = 10 Ω, 5 W
R31 = 10 kΩ
R32, R34 = 100 kΩ
R33 = 47 kΩ
R35 = 1.5 kΩ
R36 = 470 kΩ
Fig. 4b. Track layout of the printed-circuit board R38, R49 = 3.3 kΩ
for the 300 W power amplifier. R39 = sensor Type KTY81-122
R40 = 4.7 kΩ
R41 = 33 kΩ
an insulated type. This socket must be quired. R43 = 1.5 kΩ, 5 W
linked to the input on the board via R44 = 47 Ω
screened cable. Test results R45 = 1.40 kΩ, 1%
To test the amplifier, turn P1 fully anti- R48 = 1 MΩ
clockwise and switch on the mains. After The technical data given on page0 0 were R50 = 120 kΩ
the output relay has been energized, set the verified or obtained with a power supply as P1 = 250 Ω preset
quiescent current. This is done by connect- shown in Fig. 2. They show that in spite (or
ing a multimeter (direct mV range) across because?) of its simple design, the amplifier C a p a c i t o r s:
one of resistors R 25–R 28 and adjusting P 1 offers excellent performance. The distortion C1–C4, C8, C10, C11 = 100 nF
until the meter reads 27 mV (which corre- figures are particularly good. C5 = 2.2 µF polypropylene, pitch 5 mm
sponds to a current of 100 mA through each Measurements with the Audio Precision C6 = 1 nF
of the four power transistors). Leave the analyser are illustrated in F i g . 5. C7, C18 = 47 µF, 50 V, bipolar, radial;
amplifier on for an hour or so and then Figure 5a shows the total harmonic dis- C9 = 33 pF, 160 V, polystyrene
check the voltage again: adjust P 1 as re- tortion (THD+N) over a frequency range of C12 = 47 pF, 160 V, polystyrene

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995

 PA300 POWER AMPLIFIER 65
Contents
a Elektor DEFAULT THD+N(%) vs FREQ(Hz)
b
AUDIO PRECISION THDVSLVL THD+N(%) vs measured LEVEL(W)
1 1

0.1 0.1

0.010 0.010

0.001 0.001
.0005 .0005
20 100 1k 10k 20k 10m 0.1 1 10 100 300
950092 - 16a 950092 - 16b

c d
AUDIO PRECISION PWR-BAND LEVEL(W) vs FREQ(Hz) Elektor GB2FFT AMP1(dBr) vs FREQ(Hz)
500 0.0

-20.00

100 -40.00

-60.00

-80.00

10 -100.0

-120.0

-140.0

1 -160.0
20 100 1k 10k 20k 0.0 500.0 1.00k 1.50k 2.00k 2.50k 3.00k 3.50k 4.00k
950092 - 16c 950092 - 16d

Fig. 5. Curves obtained during measurements on the amplifier with an Audio Precision Analyser (see text).

C13 = 680 nF IC2 = LM393 given by telephone.

C14 = 470 pF, 160 V, polystyrene
C15, C16 = 150 nF M i s c e l l a n e o u s:
C17 = 33 nF L1 = see text
C19 = 470 nF Re1 = 16 A, 24 V, 875 Ω relay (e.g.
C20 = 47 µF, 25 V, radial Siemens V23056-AO105-A101*)
S e m i c o n d u c t o r s: F1, F2 = glass fuse, 6.3 A, slow complete
D1, D2, D10 = zener, 15 V, 1.5 W with PCB type holder
D3, D6, D12 = 1N4004 Loudspeaker and mains connectors for
D7, D8 = BY254 board mounting (AMP - see text)
D9 = 1N4148 Mica washers for T1–T3, T6–T9, T14 and
D11 = 1N4002 T15
D13, D14 = LED Rectangular bracket e.g. SWP40, 20 cm
D15, D16 = BAT85 long (Fischer 40×30×5**)
T1 = MJE350 Heat sink <0.4 K W–1
T2 = BD139 PCB Order no. 950092
T3 = MJE340 Mains transformer, 2×42.5 V, 625 VA (see
T4 = BC546B text)
T5 = BC556B Fuse (power supply) 3.15 A, slow, I2t≥ 400
T6 = MJE15030 Bridge rectifier 400 V, 35 A
T7 = MJE15031 4 off electrolytic capacitors, 10,000 µF, 100
T8, T14 = MJ15003 V
T9, T15 = MJ15004 PCB Order No. 924055
T10, T12 = BC337 [950092]
T13 = BC639 * ElectroValue 01784 33603 or
0161 432 4945
I n t e g r a t e d c i r c u i t s: ** Dau 01243 553 031; trade only, but in-
IC1 = NE5534 formation on your nearest dealer will be

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995

66 AUDIO & HI-FI
Contents

The NE5534
The NE5534 is a good quality, versatile, low-
noise operational amplifier which is excellent
value for money.
Compared with older types, it has better
noise figures, small signal performance, power
bandwidth, and output drive capability.
These characteristics make it ideally suited
to high-end audio applications. It is found Some technical data
even in the most expensive CD players.
The adjacent simplified diagram gives an Small-signal bandwidth 10 MHz
idea of the internal structure of this versatile
device. It consists of a number of differential Output voltage (at Ub = ±18 V) 10 Vrms across 600 Ω
amplifiers that are set with the aid of current Input noise 4 nV Hz–1
sources and current mirrors. Well-designed com- DC voltage amplification 105
pensation circuits result in excellent linear-
AC voltage amplification 6×103 at 10 kHz
ity and very low distortion.
The standard design gives an amplification Power bandwidth 200 kHz
of ×3. The frequency response can be optimized Slew rate 13 V µs–1
for various applications with the aid of an ex-
Supply voltage range ±3 V to ±20 V
ternal capacitor. It may be adjusted for a ca-
pacitive load, high slew rate, low overshoot or
for application as a unity amplifier.

ELEKTOR ELECTRONICS NOVEMBER 1995