Simple 20 watt Amplifier

This article is written with an intent to build a simple 20 Watt Amplifier

By: Dhrubajyoti Biswas

Why a Single Ended Class-A Amplifier

A single-ended Class-A amplifier is probably one of the best example when it comes to solid-state single-ended output. On the other hand, the passive load can be a transformer, resistor or an amplifier as in this case, and a current sink. Here we have used a cheap current sink having high linearity, which is good to go with this project.

For many electrical engineers it is often seen that they recommend using 1:1 transformers or inductors. But we will avoid that process because both the component is quite expensive and need high precision, else it may have reverse effect on the loss of quality of the sound. The drop of sound quality is mainly because it is non-linear and frequency dependent.

In this experiment we have used a basic circuitry – a 60watt power amp, with the facility to modify it to operate well with Class-A. It is to my knowledge that many have tried this approach to build the amplifier and the results turned out positive.

Using +/- Dual Power Supply

Further, we have used +/- 20volts electric supply. It can be either regulated, conventional or even applying a capacitance multiplier and moreover before clipping, it should have its capability of around 22 watts. So it is advisable to use a bigger heat-sink as there are high chance of the amplifier getting hot.

In our previous experiment constructing the amplifier we have applied quiescent current of 3A. Here we reduced it to 2.6A, with an intent to reduce dissipation of watt. But still it will release at least 110W from each amplifier.

Using either big plastic case device or TO-3 transistors is highly recommended, because the heat transfer is one the biggest challenge that you may have to face building this amp. Also we recommend using separate dissipation for individual transistor. This will enable generation of low thermal resistance.

You can also use a bigger transistor for this development, but that would be pricey. Therefore, considering the pocket it is always better to use two parallel transistors. They are cheaper compared to big transistors albeit maintaining the quality.

Following is the schematic diagram of the simple 20 watt amplifier circuit to help building the system.

Circuit Diagram

20W Class-A Amplifier Circuit

The sink shown here in the diagram is built on the similar concept to that of the output stages. 4x1ohm 1W resistors [0.25ohm] are placed in parallel. However, it may need some experimentation as the current gets determined by the base-emitter voltage BC549. The way the circuit works, BC549 will fetch base current that are in excess from the resistors. As the voltage exceeds to 0.65V across the resistors, the transistor starts and further adjusts balance. Furthermore, you can also set the DC offset using 1K trimpot to manage the LTP.

Optimum Current

Ideally the Class-A amplifier should maintain operating current 110% more than the peak current of the speaker. So a loudspeaker with an impedance of 8ohm and +/-22V supply of current, the maximum current of the speaker will be:

I = V/R = 22/8 = 2.75A.

The above calculation does not indicate the loss of current during output. It is definite that there will be loss of 3 volts in the output of the circuit, which is based on the loss in the emitter or driver resistors and the loss in output device.

The maximum voltage therefore is 2.375A @ 8ohms = 19V peak. Now by adding fudge factor to 110% the operating current is 2.6125A (2.6A approx.), and following this, the output power would be 22.5W.

However, it is important to note that whereas –ve supply is constant, the +ve on the other hand varies from the available steady current. With high signals the current gets doubled as the upper transistor turns on or for negative peaks it will go down to zero. This situation is a common occurrence on Class-A amplifier [single-ended] and it makes the power-supply design complex.

Adjust Quiescent Current

If the current sense resistor is more than optimal then you can use trimpot and wiper to the base of BC549 for accurate current flow. However, do keep in mind to maintain distance between the sense resistor from those that generate high source, for example, power resistors. Maintaining no safe distance will lead the current to drop with the amp getting hotter.

Be cautious when using the trimpot, since the wiper is wounded to supply line of -35V. A wrong move here may damage the trimpot. Therefore, initiate with the wiper at the collector of the output devices. Slowly increase the current till it reaches the required setting. You can also use multi-turn pot as an alternative, which would be the best.

The following diagram shows making of a current sink variable for the proposed 20 watt amplifier circuit.

Variable Current Source

The use of 1K resistors as per figure is to ensure not to sink infinite current even when pot turns into an open circuit. Also it is necessary to give time [10 minutes or more at times] to stabilize the temperature across the heat-sink. However, the time to reach the operating temperature may vary based upon the size of the heat-sink, as bigger heat-sink comes with higher thermal mass and thus it takes time.

Heat-sink is one of the most vital components on a Class-A design. It is therefore mandatory to use a sink that would have thermal rating, which is less than 0.5°C/Watt. Consider a situation when the dissipation is about quiescent 110W, a heat-sink with the said specification will have 55°C rise in temperature, and the transistors on 80°C which eventually makes it hot. You can use thermal rating of 0.25°C, but there won’t be much effect on generated heat.