25 Watt Power Amplifier

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Circuit : Julius Horfilla, Philippines
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Description
This is a 25 Watt power amplifier complete with separate preamp and
tone controls. In addition the circuit has a loudness control (to boost
bass at low audio power) and options for super bass and super treble
enhancement. This is ideal for Ipod's, MP3 or CD players or can be
used as a booster amplifier.

Specification
Voltage Supply 12 -14 VDC 3A required for maximum volume
Power Output 25W RMS
Bandwidth 20Hz to 20KHz -3dB
Tone Controls

Loudness Switch
Optional Bass and Treble Enhancements
The original drawing as drawn by Julius can be seen here.
Notes (by the webmaster)
The main power amplifier is the MB3730 IC which directly drives the
loudspeaker. The input stage incorporate a Baxendall tone controls and
a loudness switch.
From left to right. The first 2SC828 transistor works in emitter follower
mode and buffers the input signal. This gives the amplifier a high input
impedance. The output if this stage is coupled by a 2.2u capacitor to a
Baxendall tone control providing separate bass and treble controls. The
tone controls are passive so there will be a small loss of signal. This is
overcome by the final 2SC828 stage which provides additional voltage
gain.
The emitter of the second stage is connected to a 390 ohm resistor.
Tone enhancements affects can be made simply by connecting optional
components across points A and on the schematic. For a brilliant
tweeter effect connect a 0.1 or 0.2u mylar capacitor to terminals a and
B. For a SuperBass effect connect the tapped primary winding of a
Blue Captain Micro transformer.
Loudness Switch

The output of the right-most 2SC828 is connected to the volume

control via the 4.7u coupling capacitor. Connected to the volume
control is another frequency dependant network and switch comprising
the loudness control. In the up position, some treble frequencies will
be boosted whilst in the lower position bass frequencies will be
boosted.
Frequency Response
I have re-drawn the circuit in LTspice, I can now show a simulated tone
control response with the loudness switch activated. I do not have the
exact transistor models, nor the proper primary inductance for the
captain micro transformer, Julius used, so the two diagrams below
must be considered as an approximation only.

Loudness Switch On

Loudness Switch Off

Parts List
The MB3730 power amplifier IC is available across Asia and China. I
have not been able to find supplies elsewhere. An alternative
integrated circuit is the TDA2030, also capable of delivering up to 20
Watts. European equivalent to the transistors will be BC109C or
BC549C if you cannot find the alternative parts. An alternative to the
Captain Micro (Blue) transformer will be a small choke or inductance. I
don't have any specific details for the transformer but estimate an
inductance of either 4.7mH or 10mH.

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