WTBuild: Germanium amp

[Ben79]

I'm building a 2x10 cab and had the idea to stick a little 18v li-ion tool battery powered solid state amp in there. I fancy using ge. Can't find much on the net, anyone got any schems or advice?

[Mike]

When you say "germanium amp," what do you mean?

If you want the power section to be germanium for some reason, you will need to source some germanium power transistors. Expensive and rare. If you just want a germanium preamp, pick a germanium booster and stick it in as a preamp. Cheap and easy.

I don't see the point of building a germanium amplifier. You can get a chip amp that will do what you need for just a few dollars, or you can build one for even less. Sure, you'll sacrifice the word "germanium,' but you'll end up with a stable amp made from inexpensive, readily available parts. Stick your germanium in the front end if you must, and let modern technology handle the actual amplification.

Good luck!

Mike

[Ben79]

I can get a pair of NOS Mullard OC35 poweramp transistors here in the UK for a tenner but I take your point. I'm not interested in the word germanium - much more the difference a germanium semiconductor would make to the sound compared to a silicon device. If there's no difference then I'd be crazy not to go with a stable, cheap, reliable silicon circuit...sometimes it's fun to be crazy though.

...are there any silicon circuits you could point me to? Something 20-30 watts.

[eatyourguitar]

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/workshe ... amp_b.html
try this with whatever you have on hand. don't expect more than 100ma peak from regular transistors. the power is only limited by the supply and the transistors. you have nothing to lose.

[imJonWain]

worth downloading/reading or at least skimming through, covers almost everything on solid state amplifier design and function.

http://deewm.com/Webcache/Teemu_K_Solid-State_Guitar_Amplifiers.pdf

[Ben79]

Thanks chaps. I found this power stage...only 10 watts but it runs off 18v (AC though) so I might give that a go with a switchable fuzz and a boost before it.

[AxAxSxS]

and.... I cleek links.... see things I don't understand..... read them anyways. Maybe someday it will all sink in?