Lamp amplifier for headphones is the dream of every music lover

Almost any audio device is equipped with a connector for connecting headphones. Sometimes the quality of the signal received from this jack is quite high. As a rule, it is taken from any intermediate stage of the power amplifier circuit , so it contains less distortion than the final output to the speakers. And nevertheless, especially sensitive to the quality of sound, music fans prefer to use special devices - tube amplifiers for headphones.

What is the secret of the popularity of this electronic component, it would seem, long obsolete? After all, the lamp has a fairly large geometric dimensions, it needs an additional source of voltage that feeds the filament, eventually loses its emission and, in a planned order, needs to be replaced, and its price today is considerable. In addition, this technique is heated much more than the semiconductor technique. Yes, and you need to wait after turning on, albeit not for long, when this "cloud of electrons" arises inside the glass bulb, and the usual microcircuit - once, and earned!

The secret is simple - a rich and juicy sound, which is distinguished by a tube amplifier for headphones. It is caused by physical and electrical reasons. The high voltage between the anode and the cathode sets a wide dynamic range, the absence of "end bends" inherent in semiconductor technology, and the maximum straightness of the gain diagram in the operating range.

After amplification, the signal is coordinated with the final device - the loudspeaker, for this purpose a transformer is installed at the output, but its shape remains unchanged and slightly distorted. The lamp amplifier for headphones provides the highest quality of sound reproduction for both weak and intense low-frequency oscillations. This is especially important when listening to symphonic music, in which sometimes lots of very quiet instruments are replaced by powerful chords of the whole orchestra.

Everyone, even a novice ham radio, sometimes has a dilemma: buy some desired device or make it yourself. Of course, the master craftsmen are getting smaller, but the attempt is not torture, so you can try to assemble a tube amplifier for headphones with your own hands.

It is best to start with the simplest circuits based on the 6N23P 6N6P double triodes. They are good in that each of these lamps can provide amplification of two channels, that is, stereo sound.

In order not to bother too much, for starters it is best to try to assemble a single-stage two-stage tube headphone amplifier with additional gain on a direct-conductor transistor. It is not difficult to do this, it is more difficult to correctly arrange the details, avoiding a tip, which can lead to a background and positive feedback.

To finalize the configuration of the "on the table" circuit, you will need an audio frequency generator and an oscilloscope. If everything is in order, you can start to manufacture a printed circuit board or do without it, as it was practiced in the early electronic devices.

The lamp amplifier for headphones is now considered to be the elite equipment, so you should think about the external design. They do not need to hide the "bulb" inside the case, they will delight with their amber lights. The transformer is usually quite large, so it, too, is usually carried out.