Valve Amplifiers, Second Edition

by Morgan Jones

This book enables those with a limited knowledge of the field to understand both the theory and practice of valve audio amplifier design, such that they can analyse and modify circuits, and build or restore an amplifier. Design principles and construction techniques are provided so readers can devise and build from scratch, designs that actually work.

This is a completely up-to-date practical guide for people working with valves. Morgan Jones takes the reader through each step in the process of design, starting with a brief review of electronic fundamentals relevant to valve amplifiers, simple stages, compound stages, linking stages together, and finally, complete designs. Practical aspects, including safety, are addressed throughout.


The second edition of this popular book builds on its main strength - exploring and illustrating theory with practical applications. Numerous new sections output transformer problems; shunt regulators, phase splitter analysis; and hum loops. In addition, three major new constructional projects are a low-noise single-ended LP stage; and a pair of high voltage amplifiers for driving electrostatic transducers directly - one for headphones, one for loudspeakers.

A unique book which applies modern audio design principles to classic valve technology.
The definitive modern guide to valve amps for home and professional audio applications.
Revised and expanded second edition.

Genres: Nonfiction

488 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[stephan wintner · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this as a result of having to fix and old Eico amp. (turned out the coupling Caps were bad)

Anyway, as I recall, a great deal of the book was spent covering the advantages and pitfalls of particular designs Mr. Freeman had built - instructional, yes, in the sense of a being a good "Applications of Theory" sort of course, but still. I thought the book could use a bit of trimming down, the theory sections were admirably non-technical, clear, and concise - the applications thereof could have been more concise.

I should add - when I say non-technical - I am a mechanical engineer, so technical does not scare me. But excessively theoretical descriptions can often leave even engineers floundering when it comes to applying the theories. This book did a good job of that. (Are you listening, oh former professors of mine?)

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a geek. I love music. And I have a thing for vintage electronics. So this book ticks all my boxes.

An essential library item if you like to build your own HiFi equipment.

Also required is the companion book - "Building Valve Amplifiers" by the same author.

[Tampinc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, although it concentrates on hi-fi design, greatly assisted me in progressing from the copying of existing designs into designing my own guitar amplifiers. Certainly the best book I have in my library on valve-amp design and, very importantly, some of the practicalities of building them.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Technical book on modern vacuum tube amplifier design, fundamentals.