Rating: 
Summary: Basic Amplifier Tool ...
Review: Before i begin i must say that electronics is only my hobby and that i don't have any special education,
besides my personal experience over the years.
However despite my lack of theory i believe that this particular book is almost unique at its kind.
It takes a lot of complex theory and presents it in the most simple way possible without been confusing in any subject and behind this, is the author who keeps a very delicate balance between theory and practical applications.
In fact i own a lot of audio amplification books
(transistor based) and i have never been able to fully understand some basic things (nfb,topologies) about audio amplification in general.
Also another very important fact is that some things that are almost completely undocumented about audio amplifiers are explained with great detail.
One other thing that i really liked is that the author sets the foundations for designing and experimenting your own amplifier circuits and i personally haven't seen this approch lately in any book...
To put it simple: Anyone who has a small to medium knowledge on electronics and is not an absolute begginer
will certainly build successfull audio amplifers that will work even with the most crude situations.
I have built ALL of the book projects with great success
(even those without a PCB)
and the amplifiers are stable as a rock...
I won't even mention the performance of the projects included inside the book.
The only thing i will say is that i am rebuilding my whole audio system from scratch !
Certainly this is a serious book written by a serious person with many years of experience
in the audio field and my personal opinion is that it must be included among the best books around...
Rating: 
Summary: The best in Do-it-Yourself Audio Amplification
Review: Build showcase amplifiers that outperform store-bought models -- at a fraction of the cost.Ideal for audiophiles, electronics hobbyists, and audio engineers, here is the ultimate audio amplifier dream-to-reality book, giving you leading-edge electronics tools for designing every detail of a superior high-power amplifier. Using ready-to-construct recipes, you can put together an amplifier that's a major step up from commerical offerings. The book features: *12 complete designs, ready to build *Theory and principles for designing a world class amplifier *Optimal Audio power supply building methods *New methods for increasing stability *New distortion-reduction techniques *New Configuratiuons and analyses of voltage amplifiers *Latest info on computer analysis and diagnostics *Popular audio myths debunked
Rating: 
Summary: Good primer for class-B power amp design, BUT...
Review: by an experienced audio hobbyist and Electrical Engineer... This book covers most of the topics needed to sucessfully design and build a conventional transistor power amplifier. While the reading is technical in nature, it is kept to a level suitable for the majority of electronics amateurs. In this respect, it is a decent book. However, if you are truly serious about power amplifier design, and technically inclined, this book falls short of these glowing reviews. Years ago, I read the work of Douglas Self, presented in a series of articles entitled "Distortion in Power Amplifiers", and published in Electronics World and Wireless World magazine 1993-1994. Sloan's book is just a poor regurgitation of the original articles by Doug Self, along with a collection of amp designs ready-to-go... basically an advertisement for the kits he sells through his website. So if you have the technical inclination, and want to really understand the material well, do yourself a favour and skip this book. The original articles by D. Self are far more insightful. What's more, they are now available, along with a wealth of other good articles, in a single compilation entitled "Self on Audio" ISBN 0-7506-4765-5. Self also has another book, "Audio Power Amplifier Design Handbook", which I have not read. WARNING: apart from the obvious commercial motivations, the content of this book is very opinionated! What's more, these opinions are often veiled behind a facade of "objectivity", lending them false authority. There is a dangerous allure in his idealistic opinions. Mr. Slone has a tendancy to make questionable, even misleading statements, worded and presented as FACT. Even D. Self suffers the same affliction, though to a lesser degree. Some people may like Mr. Slone's strong stance, but I find it closed-minded and counter productive. For the amateur who has not yet the experience to distinguish the opinions from genuine engineering objectivity, this book is bound to cause a certain degree of "tunnel vision". If you do buy this book, always remember to remain open minded, and don't take everything he says as Gospel! Since the subject matter is just a rehash of other, better publications, and since this book has a heavily unbalanced view of high-end audio, I can only give it 2 stars despite some good construction advice, and some decent technical discussion. If you want better technical explanations, with less opinion sharing, get the REAL goods - buy Douglas Self's book instead.
Rating:
Summary: One of a kind!
Review: Easy to understand, very helpful even to those who has not finished a degree in electronics. Book was written so that reader who really wants to built a professional type of audio amp can enjoy building one! One of a kind audio amp book, hope Mr. Randy Slone (author) will keep on writing books like it!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: For those interested in building power amplifiers, this is an excellent place to learn. Whether you are a beginner or a veteran, this book provides a scientific approach to design and construction without any High-End foolery. While I cannot confirm the authors opinions about amplifier design criteria, he does give explanations why popular concepts are wrong or misguided (some audiophiles might become offended by his blunt statments). If you are looking for a tool to guide you through the components of amplifier design (all explained in detail with examples), then this is it. I have been building a high quality, audiophile amplifier for the past two years and didn't totally understand how to size the transformer until reading this book. A beginner course in electronics and an understanding of how transistors work would definately be beneficial, but not mandatory. The design examples and PC board artwork are a huge plus for this book. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: State of the Art
Review: For those who love audio, electronics and have a sincere desire to build extremely high performance amplifiers, I recommend the work of G. Randy Slone more highly than any other. This is state of the art material. Things get better! Randy will help in anyway he can. It is rare for people with such talent to share their Knowledge.
David Edwards Technical Officer Radio and Television Broadcasting Darwin Australia.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on amplifiers ever written?
Review: From this book, I have learned more on amplifiers than from anything I have ever read before. Sometimes a little categoric: Single transistor stages are inferior, period!
Rating:
Summary: Truly High-End Audio...finally!
Review: G. Randy Slone has written a truly wonderful book on the science behind audio. Most consumers know little about audio; and sales people know even less. Read this book and you will understand a great deal - and you'll be able to apply your knowledge in purchasing or making your own audio gear. Some have given unfavourable reviews, but I feel they are unjustified. The author does indeed cover complex issues of amplifier design, but one does not really need to understand these concepts in order to build a very high-end, high-performance amplifier. One does not even need to understand the schematics. All that would be required is to put the correct components in the correct positions on a printed circuit board (which I highly recommend you purchase from the author). Beyond all this is the real question: How does the finished amplifier sound? Well, whether you believe in the author's view on say tube amps or not makes very little difference. Again it all boils down to the performance of the amp. One doesn't merely stumble onto extreme audio performance! It takes hard work, and in-depth knowledge and experience of sound electronic principles. I have had the utter delight and priviledge to audition and compare a finished OPTI-MOS design with a very well known and respected high-end amp. The purity, clarity, and three-dimensionality of the sound-stage was staggering! The OPTI-MOS was one of the most perfect amps I have ever heard. Tremendous low-end power coupled with majestic and rivetting mids and highs puts this amp in a class of its own. You can't fake good audio. Actually, you can't fake outstanding audio either. In fact, I cannot think one negative comment whatsoever to criticize the OPTI-MOS. It is truly an amazing peice of audio equipment. I have listened to expensive tube amps, and I must say that the tube sound was very pleasant. However, the OPTI-MOS takes you far beyond tubes! The OPTI-MOS actually sounds closer to a perfect tube amp - without any of the tube's shortcomings. What more could one ask for? If Mr. Slone's concepts, theories, and final circuit topologies were even the slightest bit off the mark, this would show up a hundred-fold in the final sound reproduction. I for one hold Mr. Slone and his brilliant designs in even greater respect; for not only has he proven that he is a world-class audio designer, he has shared his secrets with the world. Now there is no excuse for anyone not to own a superior audio amplifier and enjoy audio that was once reserved for those select few that could afford to spend huge dollar amounts on audio gear. Thank-you Mr. Slone!
Rating:
Summary: A great guide to power amplifier design
Review: I am enjoying this book greatly! I have been interested in building my own high quality power amplifier for some time, and am pleased that a book of this nature is available. Although I work in the electronics industry, I have no training in audio design; this book has given me confidence that I can launch into the project with success, and have some fun at the same time. It is obvious that the author has worked in the audio arena for many years, and his thorough knowledge of, and love for, the subject matter are reflected in his book. He often includes anecdotes and personal insights into amplifier design, as well as his opinions about the 'myths' surrounding audio equipment. The book offers schematics for several ready-to-build amplifiers. In addition, the author arms the reader with the knowledge to customize the final design. Mr. Slone also welcomes personal contact, either by e-mail or telephone, to discuss design issues. Besides the designs included in the book, there are several kit projects available through his company, Seal Electronics.
Rating:
Summary: Amps cut down to size!
Review: I began reading this book simply with the desire to "see how it works". I had little knowledge about electronics and less about amplifiers. I had tested all of mine (for power output only) with a scope and signal generator. The book lays out absolutely every component of a power amp in explicit detail, without "losing the plot" or stating the obvious. Every section is thorough and witty, leaving no stone unturned and no opportunity for humor missed. I read it end to end twice for the simple purpose of trying to absorb more detail. Each time i pick it up i learn something new, infact i picked up my flatmates copy so much that i thought i'd better buy him a new one. Excellent not only as a good specific read but also as a fine piece of reference material. I look forward to any further offerings from Randy Slone. Mr Slone has been more than helpful answering email on questions that i possibly could have answered myself, and hasn't for a moment lost patience with me. A remarkable book, good for everyone interested in audio, from driving one sub to filling an entire concert hall.
| 
