AUDIO

Crescendo
Millennium
Edition
remake of a famous amplifier
Design by T. Giesberts

In early 1984, Elektor

magazine beat the
competition hands-
down by
publishing the design of a
then-revolutionary MOS-
FET amplifier. Even now,
this amplifier enjoys an
enthusiastic following. In
response to many
requests, we have
brought the design up to
date and given some
attention to improved
reliability and operating

4/2001 Elektor Electronics 36

AUDIO

safety. The output power is 90 watts into 8 ohms or 135

watts into
4 ohms, which should leave little to be desired for
most users.

37 Elektor Electronics 4/2001

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4/2001 Elektor Electronics 38

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Figure 1. In the schematic diagram, the changes from the original version are hardly noticeable at first
glance.

Seguramente no hay muchos diseños amplificador en cuestión que eliminara las fuentes de
de circuitos que sigan gozando de un tenían que ver con los crítica sin sacrificar las
nivel de interés tan alto más de diez MOSFET. Los tipos buenas características del
años después de su aparición originales hace tiempo que diseño original. Este objetivo
original, como lo hace el quedaron obsoletos y dejaron se ha logrado con bastante
amplificador de potencia Crescendo de estar disponibles, y es éxito. Además, pudimos
de 1984. En parte, esto se debe a su difícil encontrar reemplazos obtener un nivel de potencia
diseño completamente simétrico, que adecuados. Sin embargo, de salida tan generoso
de hecho era una característica también hubo otras utilizando un nuevo par de
inusual en ese momento, pero sin dificultades. La estabilidad MOSFET que no es necesario
duda se debe principalmente al uso del amplificador a veces era dividir el nuevo Crescendo en
de MOSFET de potencia en la etapa motivo de preocupación, y versiones 'ligeras' y 'pesadas'.
de salida. Mucha gente es ferviente los usuarios consideraban
fanática de estos dispositivos. que la ausencia de circuitos
Incluso las personas que confían en de protección era una
The same concept
los amplificadores de válvulas y son debilidad importante. En Since we have intentionally
alérgicas a cualquier cosa que tenga consecuencia, en honor a tried to change the old
"semiconductor" en su nombre a nuestro aniversario, amplifier design as little as
menudo tienen debilidad por los decidimos volver a echar un possible, the differences
MOSFET y, por lo tanto, están vistazo al diseño original. between the schematic
preparadas para hacer una excepción Nuestro objetivo era diagrams of the old and new
con ellos. Lamentablemente, la actualizar el diseño del versions are minimal. The
mayoría de los problemas con el amplificador de una manera design still consists of an

39 Elektor Electronics 4/2001

 AUDIO
input stage with dual differential kHz. This helps prevent TIM for the transistor types used
amplifiers and current sources, a (transient intermodulation) for T8 and T10 in the old
cascode driver stage and a MOSFET distortion and eliminates version, they have been
output stage. That may have been a possible RF interference. replaced by the somewhat
rather sophisticated design in 1984, The dual differential more robust types MJE340
but nowadays it would more likely amplifier (T1–T4) has been and MJE350.
be described as a ‘minimal design’. designed to work with a bias Now we come to the output
There’s nothing wrong with this, by current that is approximately stage. In contrast to the
the way, since attempting to keep the three times a great as that of MOSFETs used in the old
signal path as short as possible is the original design, on version, the 2SK1530 and
certainly not a mistaken endeavour account of the increased 2SJ201 devices used here
in an amplifier design — but we output power. The current have a positive temperature
don’t need to dwell on this point. sources that regulate this coefficient. This means that
Since the basic concept of the setting, T5 and T6, now use with a constant gate-source
original design has been retained, LEDs as references (D1 and voltage, the drain current
anyone who compares the schematic D2), since this results in less increases with increasing
diagram of the new version (see noise than using Zener temperature. This made it
Figure 1) with that of the old diodes. In the interest of the necessary to use a different
version (May 1984) will first have to thermal stability of the DC design for the quiescent-
try to find the differences. Of course, setting, D1/T5 and D2/T6 current circuit. Here the
there are indeed differences, and it are thermally coupled, as are MOSFET T11, which is
seems like a good idea to list the the transistor pairs T1/T2 mounted on the same heat
most important changes before and T3/T4. The bias currents sink as T8/T10 and T12/T13,
diving into a detailed description of of the cascode stages T7/T8 provides the necessary
the schematic diagram. The most and T9/T10 are also compensation.
evident change is naturally the new significantly greater than in Finally, there are a couple of
pair of MOSFETs in the output the original design. Since other significant items.
stage. The Toshiba 2SK1530 and this would be a bit too much
2SJ201 are readily
available, and furthermore
they can dissipate so much
more power than the
original devices that we
were able to boost the
output power of the old
‘Mini-
Crescendo’ by a factor of
nearly two (90 W into 8 Ω
in place of 50 W) using
only a single pair of
transistors.
As a consequence of the
increased power level, the
bias currents of the various
stages must be modified
and different transistors
must be used in the cascode
stage, as will be seen later
on.
The next change is the
addition of the networks
R10/C4, R15/C5 and
R30/R31, which represent
the results of measures that
have been taken to optimise
1.5 Hz. C1 is also needed to
isolate the DC bias of the
input stage. The
combination of R3 and C2
forms a low-pass filter that
is dimensioned for a
frequency of more than 300

4/2001 Elektor Electronics 40

AUDIO
Insiders will notice that the none- coupling is used here. To get protection circuit board. We
too-attractive bipolar electrolytic rid of the resulting output anyhow intended to
capacitor has been eliminated from offset, we have provided an
the reverse feedback network automatic compensation
(R22/R23), which means that DC circuit that is located on the
the stability of the amplifier. A very important final item is that the amplifier has been provided with
reliable protection circuitry and automatic offset compensation, by means of an extra printed circuit board.
This pretty well covers the most important changes.

Schematic details
Now that we’ve seen the global picture, it’s time to take a more detailed look at the circuit diagram. Let’s
start at the beginning, which is of course the input stage. The design of the input filter is more or less
standard. R2 (with R1 in parallel) determines the input impedance, and in combination with C1 it forms a
high-pass filter that blocks frequencies below around

Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the added protection circuitry and offset compensation circuit.

use the compensation circuit to feedback to the (bias) input. the load by the addition of
correct for the offset caused by the Thanks to the very high R30 and R31. These resistors
unavoidable asymmetry of the input values of R4 and R5 and the together determine the output
stage. The necessary compensation decoupling provided by C3, impedance of the voltage
circuit consists of nothing more than this correction has absolutely amplifier, and as a result the
an opamp wired as an integrator, no effect on the audio signal. source followers T12 and
which measures the output voltage Another essential detail is T13 now operate purely as
of the amplifier and provides the that the open-loop gain has buffers in the audio range.
proper amount of reverse current been made independent of Without these resistors, the

41 Elektor Electronics 4/2001

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behaviour of the amplifier is directly relay and a voltage detector contacts are connected in
dependent on the connected load, that directly disables the parallel in order to keep the
which is not the way things are output relay when the power insertion resistance as low as
supposed to be. is switched off or any of the possible. The relay contacts
Together with the compensation transformer voltages is are wired in series with the
networks R10/C4 and R15/C5, the absent. The integrator for the amplifier output via the
modification made using R30/R31 offset compensation is also terminals ‘Amp’ and ‘LSP’.
ensures that the amplifier is located on this circuit board. The supply voltage for the
unconditionally stable, so much so There are three terminals on protection circuitry is tapped
that the standard Boucherot network the power amplifier board off from the supply points on
(R36/C11) can even be omitted. that provide information to the amplifier board. The
the protection circuitry: tp1 supply voltage for the
and tp2 convey the voltage integrator is simply derived
Protection across the emitter resistors, from the amplifier supply
The protection circuitry (Figure 2), while tp3 conveys the output voltages using a pair of Zener
which is located on a separate voltage. The actual diodes (D3 and D4). The
printed circuit board, includes protection takes place with overload protection circuit
overload protection, DC protection, the help of two relays (Re1 is constructed in a ‘classic’
a switch-on delay for the output and Re2), whose switching manner using a voltage
divider and a tran-

Figure 3. The power supplies of mass-produced amplifiers

are rather skimpy. This one has no such problems.

sistor. T1 measures the voltage across increases. Since we canFigure assume 4. Aamains switch-on delay
R34 in the power amplifier circuit via music signal, we have stuck circuit,tosuch
the as the one shown
the network R1-R3 and can thus 100-ms limit, so that the here,limiting
prevents the fuse from
determine whether the 2SK1530 has value for the load impedance blowingcan when
be the amplifier is
exceeded its safe operating area. The set lower without causing problems
switched on.
combination of T2 and R4-R6 for the output transistors. If T1 (or T2)
performs the same service for the starts to conduct, the transistors of the
2SJ201 by measuring the voltage DC protection circuit are together form a bipolar electrolytic
utilised via
across R35. The maximum allowable T3 (or T4) to disengage the capacitor.
relay. C1If a sufficiently large
current through the output transistor is and C2 reduce the circuit’spositive voltage is present, T5 is
sensitivity
to HF interference. R7 and brought
R9 are into
5- conduction via the
linearly dependent on the voltage
W types, since their powervoltage divider R13/R14, and T7 is
dissipation
across the transistor, up to the point
can be significant in certainthen brought
fault into conduction via
that the maximum allowable voltage
situations. R17. With a sufficiently large
or current has been reached. The
The DC protection circuitry negative
employsvoltage, the current through
maximum current limit is set using the T6 Any
will be
a commonly used principle. DClarge enough to cause T7
voltage divider R1/R2 (or R4/R5 for to conduct.
voltage that is present is received via The voltage divider
the other half), and this limit is R13/R14,
the low-pass filter R11/C3/C4 (roll-off in combination with
decreased via R3 (or R6) as the
frequency 1.5 Hz). C3 and R15/R17/R18,
C4 ensures that the
voltage across the output transistor positive and negative threshold
voltages are nearly the same. T7 can
thus be brought into conduction via
R12 /R16 and T5/T6. When the

4/2001 Elektor Electronics 42

AUDIO
supply voltage comes up and no fault is present, the electrolytic internal input protection and is
capacitor C5 will be charged to approximately half of the short-circuit proof.
supply voltage level via voltage divider R20/R21. The time
delay before the relay engages thus amounts to around 8 to 10
seconds. Darlington T8/T10 connects the relay coils to the
A robust power supply
supply voltage. If T7 starts to conduct, C5 is immediately In the description of the original
discharged and the relays disengage. Crescendo, it was already noted that
An optocoupler is used for the voltage detection circuit in the power supply is one of the most
order to prevent ground loops between the transformer ground important components of a power
and the signal ground, as well as other possible types of amplifier. In fact, the ultimate sound
interference. The current for the optocoupler diode is provided quality depends on the power
by R29–R31, and the time constant determined by C9 has been supply. The design of a good power
chosen such that the transistor in IC2 remains continuously supply does not have to be difficult,
conducting only as long sufficient voltage is present on both since the well-known and commonly
transformer windings. If the voltage drops, T10 starts to used formula of a transformer,
conduct and the relays are disengaged. The offset bridge rectifier and electrolytic filter
compensation circuit consists of only two resistors, one capacitors is fully adequate.
capacitor, an opamp (IC1) and two diodes, in addition to the However, you should not try to cut
supply components. Since the correction current is coupled into corners here, which is why two
the non-inverting input of the power amplifier, this integrator electrolytic capacitors of no less
must invert the signal. D5/D6 and R25 provide additional than 22,000 µF (22 mF) are used in
protection for the opamp. With an eye on protection we have the power supply shown in Figure
chosen an OP77 (ultra-low offset) opamp, which already has 3. In order to avoid misunderstand-

43 Elektor Electronics 4/2001

 AUDIO

Figure 5. The printed circuit boards for the amplifier and the protection circuitry are delivered as a
single board and must be sawn apart.

ings, we hasten to point out that we are talking a toroidal transformer is used. This
about a monaural version here, so for a stereo circuit does exactly what its name
amplifier you will have to build two of these suggests, and it ensures that excessive
supplies! current surges do not occur when the
The ‘mains switch-on delay’ shown inside the mains voltage is switched on. Such
dotted box in Figure 3 is not mandatory, but it circuits have frequently been
is highly recommended — especially if described in Elektor Electron-

4/2001 Elektor Electronics 44

AUDIO COMPONENTS LIST
Amplifier board
T12/T13 (e.g., TO-218 sheets size 21 ics; the most recent one can be found in the Summer Resistors:
x 24 mm) Circuits issue of 1997, and we have reproduced its R1 = 1MΩ
Heatsink: < 0.5°K/W (e.g., Fischer type schematic diagram in Figure 4. Its operation is simple, R2 = 47kΩ
SK47/100 mm, Dau C omponents) and is based on the fact that the current is initially R3,R22 = 470Ω
PC B, order code 010001-1
R4,R5 = 1MΩ8
Mainsd power-on delay PC B , order
code 974078-1 R6,R7,R11,R12 = 47Ω
Figure 6. This is how the finished circuit board should
Enclosre, e.g., Monacor (Monarch) R8,R9,R13,R14 = 1kΩ
type UC 113/SW appear. Don’t forget the insulating washers for
R10,R15 = 330Ω
transistors T8 and T10–T13!
R16,R19,R30,R31 = 22kΩ
*) may be omitted
R17,R20,R28
= 270Ω
Protection board R18,R21 =
Resistors: 8kΩ2 R23 =
12kΩ
R1,R4 = 390Ω
R24,R26 = 10kΩ
R2,R5 = 120Ω
R25,R27 = 33Ω
R3,R6 = 18kΩ
R29 = 120Ω
R7,R9 = 1kΩ / 5W
R32,R33 = 220Ω
R8,R10 = 5kΩ6
R34,R35 = 0Ω22 / 5W
R11,R25,R30,R31 = 10kΩ low-inductance, e.g.,
R12,R13,R24 = 1MΩ MPC 71 series
R14 = 150kΩ R36 = 10Ω / 1W *
R15 = 39kΩ R37 = 1Ω /
R16,R20,R21 = 220kΩ 5W P1 =
R17 = 330kΩ 1kΩ preset
R18 = 12kΩ R19 H
= 330Ω R22 =
Capacitors:
15kΩ
C 1 = 2µF2, MKT
R23 = 680Ω (Siemens), lead pitch
R26,R27 = 4kΩ7 5mm or 7.5mm
R28 = 470kΩ C 2,C 4,C 5 = 1nF
R29 = 3kΩ3 C 3 = 180nF
C 6,C 7 = 100µF 25V radial
Capacitors: C 8,C 9 = 220µF 25V radial
C 1,C 2 = 150pF C 10,C 12,C 14 = 100nF
C 3,C 4 = 22µF 63V radial C 11 = 10nF *
C 5 = 47µF 63V radial C 13,C 15 = 1000µF 63V
C 6 = 2µF2 MKT (Siemens), lead pitch radial
5mm or 7.5mm
C 7,C 8 = 220µF 25V radial C Inductors:
9 = 1µF 63V radial L1 = 9 turns 1.5 mm dia.
EC W around R37, inside
Semiconductors: diameter
D1,D2 = 1N4148 8 mm
D3,D4 = zender diode 20V / 0.5W
D5,D6 = BAT85 Semiconductors:
D7,D8 = 1N4004 T1 D1,D2 = rectangular face,
= MJE340 red
T2 = MJE350 D3,D4 = zener diode 3V9 /
T3,T8 = BC 556B 0.5W
T4,T5,T6,T10 = BC 546B T1,T2,T6 = BC 546B
T7 = BC 516 T3,T4,T5 = BC 556B
T9 = BD140 T7 = BC 560C
IC 1 = OP77GP (Analog Devices) IC T8 = MJE350
2 = C NY17-3 T9 = BC 550C
T10 = MJE340
Miscellaneous:
T11 = 2SK537 (Toshiba)
Re1,Re2 = relay, type G2R-1-E
T12 = 2SK1530 (Toshiba) T13
(Omron), 16A / 24V / 1100 ohm) = 2SJ201 (Toshiba)
3 off M3 spade terminal, PC B mount
Miscellaneous:
5 off M3 spade terminals, PC B
mount
45 Elektor Electronics 4/2001
3 off ceramic (or mica) isolating
washer for voor T8/T10/T11
2 off mica isolating washer for
 AUDIO
limited by R4-R7 immediately after On the amplifier board, five wire bridges must
switch-on. After the expiry of a time be inserted, and it is a good idea to do this at the
delay determined by C2 and C3, these beginning. In addition, there are two items on
resistors are bridged over by the relay the amplifier board that could be considered to
and the full current flows between K1 be somewhat difficult: the thermal coupling and
and K2. The relay used here is a type the output coil L1. For the thermal coupling
that can switch between the D1/T5 and D2/T6 pairs, it is
2000 VA. The supply voltage for the sufficient to mount the LED so that it is in
relay is taken directly from the mains contact with the flat face of the transistor. In the
circuit via C1, R3 and B1, so this case of the T1/T2 and T3/T4 transistor pairs, it
circuit is dangerous to the touch! is recommended to clamp a small metal ring
around each pair. Incidentally, we have
discovered that suitable rings can be made by
Soldering sawing them from a piece of copper water pipe
The printed circuit board layouts for and then bending them into a suitable shape.
the amplifier and protection circuitry Coil L1 can be easily wound on an 8-mm drill
are shown in Figure 5. These circuit bit. After this you can insert R37 into the coil
boards are supplied as a single piece, and then solder both components to the circuit
so the must be (carefully) sawn apart. board, after having first removed the lacquer
Experienced electronics types will not from the two ends of the coil with the aid of a
need very much advise with regard to knife.
Transistors T8 and T10–T13 are intentionally
the construction of the circuit boards,
placed along one edge of the circuit board so
since the component layout overlay
that they can easily be screwed to a single
and the components list speak for
common heat sink. Naturally, the transistors
themselves. Still, we would like to
must be mounted using insulating washers,
make a few practical remarks.
and as usual it is recommended to build the amplifier as a monophonic building block or as a
smear a thin layer of thermal grease on stereo version. We chose the latter option for our prototype,
each side of the insulator before which means that what we actually did was to build two mono
mounting the transistor. The thermal blocks into a single enclosure, each with its own power supply
resistance of the heat sink should be and mains switch-on delay. The only shared item is the mains
less than 0.5 K/W. Figure 6 shows switch. For the enclosure, we chose a Monacor (in some
one of the fully assembled prototype countries: Monarch) box that provides a generous amount of
amplifier circuit boards with attached room for everything, and then mounted hefty heat sinks (bigger
heat sink. There isn’t much to say than actually required) on opposite sides of the box. Since
about the protection circuit board. You there are several circuit boards involved, the wiring of the
should pay attention to the diameter of complete amplifier includes quite a few interconnections –
the electrolytic capacitor C5, which which is why we have made a separate wiring diagram, as
must be no more than 8 mm. If you shown in Figure 8. Connect the V+ , V–, earth, tp1, tp2, tp3
cannot obtain a suitable type, a 40-V and bias points on the protection board to the corresponding
type can also be used. points on the amplifier board using ordinary insulated stranded
For the sake of completeness, the wire. The ‘∼35 V’ points should be connected directly to the
printed circuit board layout of the outer ends of the transformer windings, and point ‘0’ should be
previously mentioned mains switch-on connected to the junction of the filter capacitors in the power
delay circuit is shown in Figure 7. supply.
This circuit board was never included Use lengths of screened audio cable to make the connections
in the Readers Services list in the past, between the input sockets (Cinch sockets) and the input points
but since this ‘two-stage’ delay can be on the amplifier boards.
especially useful for a variety of Flat tab connectors (automotive connectors) are used for the
applications, we have now added it to output and supply connections on the circuit boards. The
the list. connections

Wiring and set-up

Once you have finished building the
amplifier and protection logic boards
(or sets of boards) and have carefully
checked them against the components
list, it is time to start looking for a
suitable enclosure. The first decision
to be made is whether you want to

4/2001 Elektor Electronics 46

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Figure 7. The printed circuit board layout for the mains
switch-on delay circuit shown in Figure 4.

974078-1

between these points must naturally be sured the supply voltages, it’s nearly
made using heavy-gauge wiring. We time to power up the amplifier. Before
used 2.5-mm2 electrical wire for this doing this, however, you must turn
purpose. The contacts of relays Re1 trimpot P1 fully to the left (counter
and Re2 on the protection board are clockwise). Otherwise you run the risk
simply connected in series with the that the quiescent current will
amplifier output by connecting the immediately rise to a very high level,
output terminal ‘LSP+’ to the relay which is not what we want.
input terminal ‘Amp’ and the ‘LSP’ After switching on the unit, first check
terminal of the protection board to the the amplifier output (test point tp3) to
positive output socket (banana verify that the voltage is zero. An
socket). The other (negative) banana offset of a few millivolts is acceptable,
socket is connected directly to the but if you measure 0.1 V or more you
‘LSP–‘ terminal. will have to carefully reinspect the
The necessary connection between the whole assembly, since there is
circuit ground of the amplifier and the something wrong.
metallic enclosure can best be realised Following this, you can set the
by fitting the Cinch (a.k.a. RCA or quiescent current to the proper value.
‘line’) input sockets in a ‘normal’ The ideal value for this amplifier is
(non-insulated) manner. Take care that 200 to
there is not any other unintentional 250 mA. To adjust the quiescent
connection between the signal ground current, connect a voltmeter across
and the enclosure ground, since this R34 (test points tp1 and tp3) and turn
will create an earth loop that can cause P1 slowly until the measured voltage
stubborn hum problems. is between 0.044 and 0.055 V. Then
It goes without saying that a let the amplifier warm up for half an
wellinsulated cable, a robust mains hour, and again adjust the current to
switch and an equally robust mains the same value using P1.
entrance must be used for the
connection to the 230-V mains circuit. Listening
Pay attention to the electrical safety of
the overall assembly, and attach an Readers who have already taken a
identification label that lists the peek at the measurement results
specified values of the supply voltage shown in the separate box will have
(230 V) and fuse to the outside of the quickly concluded that the Crescendo
enclosure. scores very well as far as the numbers
are concerned. However, we know
Once you have again thoroughly checkedfrom experience that amplifiers with
everything and re-mea- practically identical specifications can
sound quite different.
We thus come to the crucial question: how good is the sound of the new amplifier (or, if you will, the
‘refurbished old amplifier’)? The first thing that struck us in listening sessions is that the Crescendo can
produce a nicely spacious and open sound image with all different types of music. Of course, the relative
differences between good amplifiers are always very subtle, but the Crescendo clearly revealed itself to be

47 Elektor Electronics 4/2001

 AUDIO
an amplifier with a pleasantly warm-blooded character. After listening to the amplifier for a while, we
developed a certain understanding of the preferences of fervent MOSFET fans, since the sound produced by
the amplifier is just a bit less reserved and clinical than that produced by a typical amplifier with bipolar
transistors in the output stage. An amplifier such as the ‘Compact AF Power Amplifier’, which was
published in May 1997 (and which is one of our favourites), offers reproduction that (according to our
convictions) can hardly be surpassed in terms of natural fidelity and detailing, but it still misses that slight
trace of warmth that is so typical of the Crescendo. Can we say that one of the two is the better amplifier?
No, that would be going to far. The differences are too small for such a pronouncement, and anyhow such a
judgement is always very subjective. ‘Better’ and ‘worse’ are qualifications that do not have a place here; at
most we can say ‘different’. What well can be considered to be no less than amazing is that this Crescendo,
in spite of (or thanks to) its simple concept and the age of the original design, can easily hold its own
against many more modern examples of the breed. This amplifier can be highly recommended, and not only
for MOSFET fans!
(010001-1)

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Figure 8. Wiring diagram. Thick wires must be used for the power supply and amplifier output wiring!

49 Elektor Electronics 4/2001