Product Description

Explains the whys and wherefores of toroidal output transformers at various technical levels, starting with elementary concepts and culminating in complete mathematical descriptions. In all of this, the interactions of the output valves, transformer and loudspeaker form the central theme. Next come the practical aspects. The schematic diagram of a valve amplifier often appears to be very simple at first glance, but anyone who has built a modern valve amplifier knows that a lot of critical details are hidden behind the apparent simplicity. These are discussed extensively, in connection with designs for amplifiers without output powers ranging from 10 to 100 watts. Finally, the author gives some attention to a number of special valve amplifiers, and to the theory and practice of negative feedback.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #115199 in Books
• Published on: 1999-07-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 250 pages

About the Author
Ir Menno van der Veen

Customer Reviews

Bludgeoned By Theory
Whew! Van der Veen has packed a lot of mathematical theory into this work that goes very deeply into the often neglected heart of any tube amplifier - the output transformer. I can see that this may be mistaken for a sales pitch for the toroidal units he has designed but there is too much objectivity for such a statement to be taken seriously. Van der Veen has extended the body of knowledge in an interesting and insightful way - providing a good explanation for the reader on simple push-pull circuitry. Well worth a read if one intends to build around the groundbreaking toroidal units he espouses.

What it says on the tin more or less
This book contains a great deal of very useful information and is well worth a read for anyone considering valves for a home built hi-fi amplifier. As it says in the title the designs are based on toroidal output transformers and so there is a strong leaning towards the Piltron output transformers which are used by the designs. This is not a criticism, that's what it says it is about, just a warning as these parts are expensive compared with a more usual EI transformer.

Regardless of if they are truly a new innovation, there are some very interesting output stage designs utilizing these transformers which I have not found in any other of my valve amplifier books.

There is also good information on front end and phase splitter design.

I only give it 4 stars rather than 5 as for me I would have liked to see more concrete analysis of EI and C core design and why their compromises are greater than those of a toroidal design.

no other word then excellent
I am very impressed with this book. The amplifyer examples given are no doubt state of the art and would sit proud in any living room. It would have been nice however if one good example was given for a pre-amplifyer. However this stage can be omited when using a cd-player, albeit you not having tonal control. Therefore I can suggest this book to anyone and end amplifyer wise you need not to look further. All parts are easily obtainable from EL34/ 100 watts RMS to the 300B state of the art.