TechnikTech

Amplifier Power Supply

General design considerations for audio amplifier power supplies. This article also applies to the power supplies for the modular audio amplifier presented on this page.

Power Supply Decoupling

Power supply decoupling needs careful design in order to achieve constant and low impedance over a reasonable frequency range. I share some ideas explained using practical examples to illustrate what works well and what does not. Must read for anybody who considers decoupling as putting some random capacitors into the circuit.

Amplifier Input Filter

Some ideas how to improve the audio input filter of an audio amplifier, especially for the high frequency roll-off and phase shift

Amplifier Input Protection

In this article I compare various options to protect audio amplifier inputs from ESD and excess voltage in general in order to find a circuit that offers very good protection, maintains excellent audio signal quality and is easy and safe to implement in various amplifier designs.

Amplifier output stage comparison and optimization

My investigation of audio amplifiers output stages started with some simulation to see which approach seems most promising. Once I actually built different output stages, I observed issues with stability and correlated the results with simulation again to improve the performance of the output stages. In the end I figured out how to improve stability of the output stages without adversely affecting performance. I cover dual and triple emitter follower stages and also diamond buffers as dual or triple configuration.

DIY audio amplifier toroid air core inductor

Air core toroid inductors are the best choice for power audio amplifier output filters. Since I didn't find any air core toroid inductors, I decided to build my own. Here are my DIY air core toroid inductors that are built around a plastic coil former.

Toroid transformer rewinding

How I modified a huge toroid transformer

Loudspeaker dummy loadLautsprecherersatzlast

A resistive dummy load is useful for testing audio amplifiers performance at high levels without making noise. Here I present mine, which is based on my tiny universal chassis.

Eine Ersatzlast ist nützlich um Audioverstärker bei hoher Lautstärke zu testen ohne viel Lärm zu machen. Hier stelle ich meine Ersatzlast vor, welche auf meinen kleinen Universalgehäuse basiert.

DIY loudspeaker cable

How to build a high quality loudspeaker cable featuring Speakon connectors for half of the cost.

Audio performance measurement equipment options

My scratchpad collecting some measurement equipment options for measuring performance of audio products. This covers both hardware and software.

Improvement of the ESI U24 XL USB sound card

Related to my review of the ESI U24 XL USB sound card, in this article I present a very detailed review of the analog audio input and output as well as the power supply. I investigated modification of the circuitry in order to improve performance.

Review of the ESI Gigaport EX 8 channel USB DAC interface

Short review of the Gigaport EX 8 channel DAC from ESI Audiotechnik to find out whether this DAC could be a good choice for a multi-channel setup. I found the ESI Gigaport EX does not fit my requirements and in my review you can read why.

Review of Topping D10 balanced DAC

Tear down and review of the electronics inside the Topping D10 balanced DAC, design and build quality. The review features detailed photos of the PCB assembly and a schematic of the analog balanced output circuitry. Also includes a comparison to the Topping D10S.

Review of the E1DA Cosmos ADC

Here is a short review of the E1DA Cosmos ADC and also a brief manual for using it.

My photography equipment and tipsMein Fotoequipment und Tips

I share some honest reviews about my photo equipment and techniques I use

Ich schreibe ein paar ehrliche Bewertungen zu meinem Fotoequipment.

Infrared Photography equipment and tipsInfrarot Fotografie Equipment und Tips

The technical basics you need to know when starting infrared photography. DSLR cameras, their shortcomings in infrared photography and remedies thereof. Full spectrum camera filter options. Advantages of mirrorless cameras.

Die technischen Grundlagen zur Infrarotfotografie. Schwierigkeiten mit Speigelreflexkameras in der Infrarotfotografie und Lösung dieser Probleme. Filter Optionen für Vollspektrum Kameras. Die Vorzüge von spiegellosen Kameras.

Macro PhotographyMakro Fotografie

How to turn your lenses into a microscope with only 20€ investment and other budget options for macro photography

Wie man seine Objektive mit einem 20€ teuren Adapter in ein Mikroskop verwandeln kann und andere kostengünstige Optionen für Makrofotografie

How to clean an old russian projector lensReinigung eines alten russischen Projektorobjektivs

Diassembly and cleaning of the 16KP-1.2 50mm f/1.2 projector lens

Demontage und Reinigung des 16KP-1.2 50mm f/1.2 Projektorobjektivs

How to mount an old projector lens to any cameraAdaption eines alten Projektorobjektivs an eine Kamera

Adaption of old lenses in general and especially the 16KP-1.2 50mm f/1.2 projector lens to any camera mount.

Adaption von alten Objektiven im Allgemeinen und speziell des 16KP-1.2 50mm f/1.2 Projektorobjektivs an jede beliebige Kamera.

Electronic Components Procurement:
Distributors in Germany and worldwideBeschaffung elektronischer Bauteile:
Händler in Deutschland und weltweit

My preferred electronic component distributors in Germany and worldwide

Meine bevorzugten Bauteilhändler in Deutschland und weltweit

Electronic Components Procurement: Tips and fails

Some special procurement tips and also some purchased that went wrong

Electronic Components Procurement: Audio Transistors

Obsolescence has become a major problem meanwhile. Here is a list of audio grade transistors that are still available in year 2021

Music server setup

How to set up a linux server to receive music via airplay. Options for setting up a media server replacing the CD player

Product price monitor

Strike bargains shopping online using a small Bash script for automated product price monitoring. The script is easy to set up and sends the latest price of the products monitored by email each day.