The John Hardy Company 1728 Brummel St.

Evanston, IL 60202 USA

Phone: 847-864-8060 Toll Free: 866-379-1450 Fax: 847-864-8076

T%- $O%: %8;'< &O=98:<

www.johnhardyco.com

990 Discrete Op-Amp

October 1, 2013

The 990 discrete op-amp is the finest op-amp available for audio applications. If you ant superior sound !uality, the 990 can provide it. The 990 is used in the most critical audio applications. "everal mic preamps and other products usin# the 990 are available from the $ohn %ardy &ompany.
Circuit design of the ori#inal 990 is by 'eane $ensen of $ensen Transformers. 'eane as a arded (.". patent )*,2+,,*,9 for aspects of this desi#n. -very aspect of the desi#n and performance of the 990 as optimi.ed throu#h e/tensive computer aided desi#n and analysis. -ach component of this discrete op-amp as carefully chosen for its specific tas0, providin# superior performance compared to monolithic opamps and other discrete op-amps. 1or complete desi#n theory, circuit details and specifications, please see the $ensen en#ineerin# report. The 2&3 modifications ere developed by "teve %o#an of $ensen Transformers 4no at his o n company, The "ound "te ard5. Packaging and production design of the 990 is by $ohn %ardy of the $ohn %ardy &ompany. The desi#n enables this *9-component circuit to be constructed on a circuit board 13 s!uare, ith final module dimensions after encapsulation of 1.1263 s!uare by 0.7003 hi#h. The dimensions and pinouts conform to the 89I 2620 pac0a#e, allo in# direct replacement in most applications.

2013: Important Changes and Improvements

In $anuary of 2013, manufacturin# of the 990 as converted from throu#h-hole assembly to surface-mount assembly. =any improvements in components ere made. The basic circuit and pac0a#e dimensions remain the same, but the name has been modified to 2990C+3 to si#nify the chan#es. These chan#es and improvements as the result of a series of events> ere made movin# the manufacturin# to a modern fab plant. The =8T02 is no the =8T12, the ""=2210 is no the ""=2212. 4. 8s ith the ori#inal parts, the reintroduced versions use the same semiconductor chip, the only differences bein# the pac0a#in# and the price. The specifications of the ne parts are identical. 5. Packaging: The =8T12 uses a throu#hhole 7-lead TO-,+ pac0a#e, the ""=2212 uses a surface-mount "O-+ pac0a#e. 6. Price: The ?=39* as al ays around @3 at the 1,000-piece !uantity. The ""=2212 is also around @3 at the 10 !uantity. The =8T12 is around @16 at the 10 !uantity. The conversion to surface-mount assembly enabled several improvements in components> 1. =ost of the resistors have been up#raded from metal-film resistors ith a 1A tolerance and a 60 or 100ppm temperature coefficient to thin-film resistors ith a 0.1A tolerance and a 26ppm tempco for improved performance. 2. The three small-value capacitors 4&1, &2 and &35 in the si#nal path have been up#raded from a 6A tolerance to 1A, still usin# the superior &OBC:90 ceramic dielectric. 3. The t o po er supply bypass capacitors 4&* and &65 have been up#raded from the D,; ceramic dielectric ith a 10A tolerance to the superior &OBC:90 ceramic dielectric ith a 6A tolerance. 4. &7 4in the current-source5 has been up#raded from a film dielectric ith a 6A tolerance to the &OBC:90 ceramic dielectric ith a 6A tolerance. 5. The t o 20E% inductors 4?1 and ?25 have been up#raded to a ti#hter tolerance in a smaller surface-mount pac0a#e, ma0in# a shorter 990 pac0a#e possible as an option. 6. Transistors F3 and F10 in the current mirror have been up#raded to a matched-pair for improved performance. "ince the =8T12 is five times the price of the ""=2212 4and ?=39*5, yet provides no advanta#e in performance, the decision as made to use the lo er-cost ""=2212 and convert the 990 to surface mount assembly. 7. The encapsulant has been chan#ed from silicone to an advanced epo/y encapsulant that has hi#h thermal conductivity and is compatible ith the special demands of surface-mount pac0a#in#.

1. 8 0ey component of the 990, the :ational "emiconductor ?=39* supermatched pair of transistors, as discontinued in 2010. 1ortunately, there ere t o devices that ere very suitable replacements for the ?=39*, providin# virtually identical performance> the 8nalo# 'evices =8T02 and ""=2210. Ori#inally the =8T02 as a 9recision =onolithics part, the ""=2210 a "olid "tate =icrotechnolo#y part. 9=I bou#ht ""= in the late 19+0s, 8nalo# 'evices bou#ht 9=I in 1990. The same semiconductor chip as used in the =8T02 and ""=2210, ith 9=I usin# ""= to access broader mar0ets for the supermatched pair. 2. 8nalo# 'evices une/pectedly discontinued the =8T02 and ""=2210. This left no suitable supermatched pairs of transistors available. 8s the story #oes, sales ere declinin# on these and other old-school 2analo#3 parts, so :ational "emiconductor and 8nalo# 'evices decided to discontinue them and close the outdated fabrication plants here they ere made. 3. 8nalo# 'evices reversed its decision and reintroduced its parts under ne part numbers,

Technical Details
Discrete vs. monolithic op-amps. 8n op-amp typiG cally consists of do.ens of diverse components, inG cludin# transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors and, occasionally, inductors. The fundamental difG ference bet een a discrete op-amp and a monolithG ic op-amp is the ay these diverse components are brou#ht to#ether to ma0e a or0in# op-amp. A discrete op-amp is made from individual 4disG crete5 transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, and, occasionally, inductors. These components are brou#ht to#ether on a circuit board or substrate to create the final circuit. -ach diverse component is fabricated on a manufacturin# line that is fully opG timi.ed for that specific part. Therefore, each comG ponent is the very best it can be. ?o -noise input transistors are fully optimi.ed for their uni!ue reG !uirements. %i#h-po er output transistors are fully optimi.ed for their uni!ue and very different reG !uirements. 9recision resistors come from manuG facturin# lines that are dedicated to ma0in# preciG sion resistors. &apacitors come from optimi.ed caG pacitor lines. Only after these fully optimi.ed comG ponents are fabricated are they brou#ht to#ether on a circuit board or substrate. A monolithic op-amp starts ith a sin#le chip 4monolith5 of silicon that is typically 1C173 s!uare. This chip is the substrate upon hich the do.ens of diverse components are created. :ote that all comG ponents are created on the same chip, and you simG ply cannot have the orldHs best input transistors, and the orldHs best output transistors, and preciG sion resistors and capacitors on the same tiny chip. There are unavoidable compromises due to limitaG tions in the fabrication process. If the process is optimi.ed for lo -noise input transistors, there ill li0ely be a compromise in the hi#h-po er output transistors, etc. -ach of the t o inductors in the 990 4?1, ?2 on the 990 schematic, pa#e 35 is many times lar#er than the 1C173 s!uare chip of silicon of a typical monolithic op-amp. -ven the small si.e of the typical silicon chip is a limitin# factor. To fit all of the parts on such a small chip they must be made much smaller than mi#ht other ise be desired. The reduced si.e causG es a reduced ability to dissipate heat. The closer spacin# of components and circuit traces reduces the ma/imum volta#e levels that the circuit can tolG erate. =onolithic op-amps are marvels of technolo#y, but hen performance is critical, they cannot match a discrete op-amp. 8 discrete op-amp costs more and is lar#er than a monolithic op-amp, but it offers suG perior performance in many ays> Lower noise. The 990 is an e/tremely !uiet opamp, particularly ith lo source impedances. This can provide as much as +dI of improvement in si#G nal-to-noise ratios in summin# amp applications, compared to the popular 663* monolithic op-amp. The 990 provides e/tremely lo noise hen used in mic preamps. The $ohn %ardy &ompany manuG factures the =-1, =-2, and $ensen T in "ervo J 990 =ic 9reamps, and several mic preamp cards usin# the 990. The application notes later in this pac0a#e include a schematic of the mic preamp cirG cuitry of the =-1 and a discussion of circuit deG tails.
(Trademark, Jensen Transformers).

the 8nalo# 'evices ""=2212 supermatched tranG sistor pair for the input pair of transistors 4F1 and F2 on the 990 schematic5. The silicon chip of the ""=2212 is about 1C173 s!uare, the same si.e as the entire chip of a typical monolithic op-ampK The lar#e si.e provides very lo noise. 8nalo# 'evices used hatever si.e chip as re!uired to ma0e the finest possible supermatched pair. The input pair of transistors in an op-amp should be as closely matched in performance as possible. The ""=2212 is ideal as an input pair because both transistors of the pair are fabricated on the same chip of silicon, thus #reatly reducin# perforG mance differences that ould e/ist bet een sepaG rate chips of silicon. This is a uni!ue situation here the monolithic process is superior to disG crete, creatin# multiple transistors side-by-side on the same substrate for optimum matchin#. In fact, there are four transistors on the chip> the upper-left and lo er-ri#ht transistors are connected in parallel to form 2F13, the remainin# t o transistors conG nected in parallel to form 2F23, further reducin# even the sli#ht variations that mi#ht e/ist across the same chip. High output power. The 990 provides much hi#her output po er than monolithic op-amps. This is beG cause the =$--1+1 and =$--1,1 discrete output transistors 4F+ and F95 are much lar#er than the ones found in monolithic op-amps 4and some other discrete op-amps5, so they can handle much more po er. They ere desi#ned from the #round up as po er transistors. They use a silicon chip that is as lar#e as the chip in a typical monolithic op-amp. The chip is attached to a metal bac0-plate for imG proved heat dissipation. -ach transistor is about as lar#e as an +-pin 'I9 op-amp. The 990C+ still uses the throu#h-hole =$--1,1C1+1 parts. Then the 990 pac0a#e comes into play. The metal bac0-plates of the =$--1+1 and =$--1,1 transisG tors are bonded to the aluminum shell of the 990 usin# a hi#h thermal conductivity epo/y. This proG vides e/ceptional heat-sin0in# of the transistors. The 990 pac0a#e has about 1* times the surface area of a typical +-pin 'I9 op-amp, #reatly increasG in# its ability to dissipate heat. It is easy to see ho the 990 can handle much hi#her po er levels than the typical monolithic op-amp. In fact, the 990 can drive ,6L loads to full output level, hile monoG lithic op-amps are limited to loads of 700L at best, and more typically 20L. "ome discrete op-amps use much smaller output transistors than the =$-1+1 and =$--1,1. The transistors have smaller chips and are lac0in# a metal bac0 plate critical for heat dissipation. They cannot handle as much po G er as the =$--1+1 and =$--1,1. The ability to drive lo er-impedance loads is imG portant for t o reasons. 1irst, the 990 can easily drive multiple po er amps, or pots, etc., ith less concern for cumulative loadin#. "econd, the resisG tors, capacitors and other parts that are connected around the 990 to determine the function of the cirG cuit can be scaled do n to much lo er impedances than those of a monolithic desi#n. This can result in lo er noise. "ome monolithic op-amps are theoretG ically capable of very lo noise performance, but they cannot drive lo impedances ithout inG creased distortion or decreased headroom, comproG misin# performance. Low noise and high output power. Mhen you have both lo noise and hi#h output po er in the same

op-amp, you can often eliminate e/tra op-amp sta#es in e!uipment. (sin# the =-1 mic preamp as an e/ample, the 990 provides the e/tremely lo noise that is re!uired in a mic preamp, and the hi#h output po er that is re!uired in a line driver or main output sta#e. There is no need to have t o sta#es N one for lo noise and one for hi#h output po er. The si#nal path is shorter, resultin# in less si#nal de#radation. 'iscrete op-amps cost more than monolithics, but hen you use fe er of them, the hi#her cost is less of a factor. Higher voltage ratings. The components of the 990 discrete op-amp can handle hi#her volta#es than those in most monolithic op-amps. This allo s the 990 to operate ith O2*P po er supplies, hile the typical monolithic op-amp is limited to O1+P supplies. It is common for monolithic op-amps to be operated at O16P, sometimes even O12P. In auG dio terms, this means that the monolithic op-amps have reduced headroom. The 990 ith O2*P po er supplies is capable of output levels of #reater than Q2*dIu, hile most monolithic op-amps clip sevG eral dI belo that due to the reduced po er supply volta#es. Precision passive parts. The 990 uses 0.1A, 0.6A and 1A tolerance metal film resistors ith tempcos of 26 or 60ppm, and ultra-stable &OBC:90 ceramG ic capacitors ith specifications superior to those typically found in monolithic op-amps. "ee the speG cial report about &OBC:90 ceramic capacitors on pa#e +. It sounds better =ost important of all is the fact that the 990 sounds better than monolithic op-amps. The 990 does not suffer from the many compromisG es of the monolithic manufacturin# process. "ome people thin0 that solid-state e!uipment is cold and harsh soundin#. :ot the 990K Applications. The 990 offers the finest performance in summin# amps, mic preamps, phono preamps, tape-head preamps, 8C' and 'C8 converters, e!uali.ers and line drivers. The sensitivity of meaG surement e!uipment can be increased by the lo noise of the 990. 8pplication notes start on pa#e *. !volution o" #odels. There are three versions of the 990> The ori#inal 990, the 9908 and the 990&. The ori#inal 990 as introduced in 19,9. The 9908 and 990& ere introduced in 19+,. The 283 verG sion adds three components to the ori#inal 990 cirG cuit to provide protection in the rare event that the positive po er supply is lost hile the op-amp is drivin# an e/tremely lo '& impedance such as the primary of an output transformer. (nder those conditions, the ori#inal 990 circuit ould consume hi#her than normal current from the ne#ative supG ply. The 283 modification prevents the e/cess curG rent flo . The 990& is a further development of the 283 version, allo in# the op-amp to operate over a ide ran#e of po er supply volta#es. Other addiG tional components provide reduced offset volta#e. "ee the schematic on pa#e 3 for details. $ote that the %%&C' is the onl( model in regular production. #odel ) 990C+ 990C+ (Short) Description Standard 0.6 height of potting shell Shorter 0.4 height of potting shell

One of the reasons the 990 is so !uiet is its use of

Package details. The 990 is pac0a#ed in a blac0anodi.ed aluminum pottin# shell filled ith an advanced epo/y encapsulant that is compatible ith the demands of surface mount pac0a#in#. The metal bac0 plates of the po er transistors are bonded directly to the aluminum shell, assurin# ma/imum heat sin0in# of the transistors. The blac0 anodi.ed finish of the shell provides ma/imum thermal emission. The aluminum shell and epo/y encapsulant distribute heat evenly across the entire circuit. The pac0a#e measures 1.1263 / 1.1263 / 0.7003 4?/M/%5, not includin# the pin e/tension of 0.2333. The pac0a#e is fully compatible ith the 89I 2620 op-amp. 8 shorter pac0a#e is available> 1.1263 / 1.1263 / 0.*003 4?/M/%5 for applicaG tions here space is limited. 9ins are 0.0*03', #oldCnic0el plated. 3eliabilit(. To ensure lon#-term reliability at temG perature e/tremes, most resistors have a 0.1A tolerG ance ith a tempco of O26ppm. 8ll capacitors are ultra-stable 4O30ppm5 ceramics ith the &OBC:90 dielectric. :OT-> 9lease see the special report on ceramic capacitors on pa#e + for important inforG

mation on this superior formulation. &apacitors in the si#nal path have a tolerance of 1A. 8ll modules receive a total of *+ hours of active burn-in at 100R& 4212R15. 2pgrades "rom the original 4ensen Design. =any of the components listed in the $ensen en#ineerin# report ere up#raded in the 990 made by the $ohn %ardy &ompany to ensure lon#-term reliability at temperature e/tremes> 'eane $ensen specified 6A tolerance carbon-film resistors. These ere up#raded to 1A metal film ith a 60 or 100ppm tempco in 19,9. In 2013, most resistors ere furG ther up#raded to 0.1A thin-film ith a tempco of 26ppm. &ertain 0.1A resistors are trimmed to a hi#her de#ree of accuracy usin# proprietary trimG min# procedures. &1, &2 and &3 are ultra-stable 4O30ppm5 &OBC:90 ceramic capacitors. "ee the report on ceramic capacitors on pa#e +. &* and &6, hich are not in the audio si#nal path, ere up#raded from the <6P ceramic dielectric to D,; in 19,9. In 2013 they ere further up#raded to the superior

&OBC:90 ceramic dielectric. &;3 41:91*I diode5 as replaced ith a diodeconnected 9:*2608 transistor 4labeled as F105 as su##ested in the $ensen en#ineerin# report. This provides better matchin# ith F3, also a 9:*2608. In 2013, these t o transistors ere replaced ith a matched-pair surface-mount pac0G a#e. 5ther in"ormation. Thermal couplin# aids as listed in the $ensen en#ineerin# report are unnecessary because components re!uirin# thermal couplin# are in direct contact ith each other. %i#h thermal conG ductivity epo/y is used to complete the couplin# process. ;16 and ?2 42output isolator35 are not part of the basic op-amp 2trian#le3 and are not included in the 990 as manufactured by the $ohn %ardy &ompany. They are available separately and are recommended in many applications for best results. "ee the $ensen en#ineerin# report for details.

990 Discrete Op-Amp

%%&C *peci"ications +&d,u - &.../ 01
(Measurements made with power supply voltages of 24 V !"

#easurement #pen$loop gain% ! to &0'( ,ain error at )00d+ gain -oise$voltage spe.tral density% ea.h transistor differential pair -oise .urrent spe.tral density -oise inde3% )45 sour.e resistan.e 67uivalent input noise voltage% 204'( 8andwidth% shorted input !orresponding voltage level Ma3imum sine wave input voltage at unity gain !orresponding voltage level ;nput impedan.e% non$inverting input ;nput 8ias .urrent (typi.al" Ma3imum output voltage% sine wave >? @ 9*5 !orresponding voltage level Ma3imum pea4 output .urrent Aotal harmoni. distortion at 204'(% V#BA @ :24d+u >? @ 9*5% gain @ 40d+ >? @ 9*5% gain @ 20d+ >? @ 6005% gain @ 40d+ Slew rate% >? @ )*05 Slew rate% >? @ 9*5 ?arge$signal 8andwidth% >? @ )*05 Small$signal 8andwidth% at unity gain (ft" ,ain$8andwidth produ.t% )04'( to )004'( Dhase margin at )0M'( Dhase margin at E2M'( >esponse time at unity gain Supply .urrent with no load

*pec. 2nits )2* d+ 0.4 d+ 0./ nV01'( ).)& nV01'( ) p201'( 0.6 d+ )60 nV $)&&.9 d+u )&./ :2* <)0 :2.2 Vrms d+u M5 =2

)&./ Vrms :2* d+u 260 m2

0.06 0.00* 0.0)* )/ )6

C C C V0=S V0=S

)4* 4'( )0 M'( <*0 <&/ <60 E20 2* M'( deg deg nS m2

Application Notes
1ollo in# are several circuits for use ith the 990 discrete op-amp. Mith proper attention to detail, you should achieve e/cellent results. 6igure 7: 8raditional mic preamp. 1i#ure 1 sho s a traditional transformerinput mic preamp, adSustable from 11.7 to 70dI of #ain includin# the input transformer step-up of 6.7dI. The circuit has a band idth of 1600%. 4-3dI5. The $ensen $T-17-I 4or $T-17-85 mic-input transformer as desi#ned specifically for the 990. ;1, ;2 and &1 provide proper termination for the $T-17-I input transformer. ;3, ;* and ;P1 determine the 8& volta#e #ain of the 990. &3 is used for t o reasons. 1irst, it 0eeps the input bias current 4thus '& volta#e5 of the invertin# input of the 990 from reachin# the #ain-adSust pot 4;P15 here it could cause noise durin# adSustment of the pot. 8ll op-amps have small amounts of bias current flo in# at their inputs. "mall '& volta#es develop as these currents flo throu#h hatever '& resistance path is available 4-TI/;5. :oise could occur durin# adSustment of the #ain pot if more than about 1mP ere to develop. &3 also 0eeps the '& #ain of the 990 at unity so that a small difference bet een the '& volta#es at the invertin# and non-invertin# inputs of the 990 ill not be amplified into a lar#e offset volta#e at the output. 8n optional offset compensation circuit is sho n. The diode re#ulator and filter circuit supplies a current to the invertin# input hich compensates for the une!ual '& resistances seen at the inputs. The offset volta#e at each input is found by multiplyin# the input bias current 4typically 2.2U85 by the '& resistance seen at that input. 1or the non-invertin# input, the '& resistance is the input transformer secondary resistance in parallel ith ;1 47.190L5. 1or the invertin# input ;3 is the only '& path. "ince the closed loop '& #ain of the amplifier is unity, the '& offset at the output is e!ual to the difference of the offset volta#es at the t o inputs. The compensatin# current re!uired into the invertin# input is the offset volta#e divided by ;3 4100L5. This compensation ill si#nificantly reduce the '& offset at the output for applications ith no output couplin# capacitor. &2 provides phase-lead compensation ith a hi#h-fre!uency cut-off of 1,60%.. &* 8&-couples the output of the 990 to remove any '& offset from the output. The use of capacitors &3 and &* to control various '& problems is traditional. 1or a superior approach that eliminates these capacitors and the sonic problems they can cause, see the application note for the =-1 mic preamp on pa#e ,. 6igure 9: Phono preamp. 1i#ure 2 sho s a phono preamp ith related component values and theoretical ;I88 response fi#ures. Bain is *1.,dI at 10%.. The circuit provides ;I88 response accuracy of O0.1dI. The values are ta0en from a paper by ?ipshit. V1W hich covers ;I88 e!uali.ation net or0s and their proper desi#n. &olumn 1 sho s the e/act calculated resistor and capacitor values. The nearest 1A resistor values are in column 2. &olumns 3 and * sho the values scaled by a factor of 10 to ta0e advanta#e of the 990Hs lo er noise fi#ure at lo er source impedances. &3 8&-couples the 990, causin# '& #ain to be unity. &3 could be eliminated if offset compensation ere performed. "ee fi#ure 1 for one method. "ee the =-1 mic preamp application note for superior methods. The ferrite beads at the input are optional to reduce ;1I. REFERENCE: 1. Lipshitz, ., !"n R#$$ E%&a'ization Net(orks), Jo&rna', $&dio En*ineerin* o+iet,, -o'. ./, 01, 12/3, pp. 4567461. 6igure :: 8ape-head preamp. 1i#ure 3 sho s a tape-head preamp. &omponent values for 3.,6 and ,.6 ips :8I e!uali.ation and a #ain of 60dI at 10%. are listed. Other #ains and e!uali.ations can be achieved usin# the formulas provided. Tape head specs and characteristics vary idely, so the values listed ill probably re!uire trimmin#. The results should be carefully e/amined. Tape heads ith e/tremely lo output levels ill re!uire additional #ain. 8 2nd op-amp should be considered for that purpose. It should have flat response. -ach op-amp should be set for e!ual #ain at hi#h fre!uencies 4200%.5. This circuit is similar to the phono preamp, e/cept it is tunable. The ;2-&2 net or0 is at 3000%. performin# phase-lead compensation rather than ;I88 e!uali.ation. "ee 9hono preamp for comments on &3 and ferrite beads.

6igure ;: 8wo-stage mic preamp. 1i#ure * sho s a t o-sta#e transformer-coupled mic preamp, recommended for situations here e/tremely hi#h #ain is re!uired. The first sta#e is the same as the sin#le-sta#e preamp of fi#ure 1 e/cept the ma/imum #ain is about *0dI. 8 s itchable second sta#e ith 20dI of #ain #ives a choice of sin#le-sta#e operation ith up to *0dI of #ain 4includin# the transformer step-up5, or t o-sta#e operation ith up to 70dI of #ain. The 2nd sta#e could be chan#ed to adSustable #ain. Ideally each sta#e ould have the same amount of #ain. Offset volta#e compensation can be performed on the first sta#e as described in the sin#le-sta#e preamp te/t, or as sho n in the =-1 application note. The second sta#e ill have a lo offset volta#e because the invertin# and non-invertin# inputs see identical '& resistances 4100L5. The techni!ues in the =-1 application note can be applied here too. "ee the data pac0a#e for the $ensen T in "ervo J 990 =ic 9reamp, a superior t o-sta#e mic preamp usin# the $T-17-I input transformer and 990& op-amp. It eliminates all couplin# capacitors by usin# '& servo circuitry and input bias current compensation circuitry. 6igure /: *ockets. =any types of soc0ets for 0.0*03' pins are available from several manufacturers. The $ohn %ardy &o. uses and stoc0s the soc0et sho n in fi#ure 6, reprinted from the &oncord catalo#. The same part is also available from &ambion, a very similar part 4but ith less retention force5 from =ill-=a/. It can be soldered in place, or s a#ed 4tool re!uired5. %ere are three sources>
CONCORD ELECTRONICS INC. 30 Great Jones St. New York, NY 10012 WEARNES CAMBION, LTD. United Kingdom MILL-MAX 190 Pine Hollow Road Oyster Bay, NY 11771 212-777-6571 800-847-4162 Part #09-9035-2-03
011 44 1433 621555 800-947-1256 (USA & Canada) Part #450-3756-02-03

516-922-6000 Part #0344-2-19-15-34-27-10-0

6igure <: *umming amp. 1i#ure 7 sho a summin# amp ith several optional features. "ome applications re!uire si#nals to be combined at unity #ain, others re!uire different #ains. 1or e/ample, the si#nal from channel 3 is attenuated by a potentiometer 4typically 10dI of attenuation5 before it enters the summin# circuit. To restore the 10dI lost throu#h the pot, a lo er value is used for ; I:, in this case 3.170L 4see formulas5. Mith many channels bein# summed, the output of the summin# amp could become e/cessive. The final value for ; I: is chosen based on the number of channels, si#nal levels, pot settin#s, etc. The non-invertin# input may be #rounded directly, or throu#h a resistor. The value of the resistor should e!ual the '& source resistance seen by the invertin# input, hich is the parallel resistance of all the input resistors 4assumin# they are not 8&-coupled5 and the feedbac0 resistor 4; I: and ;1I5. Mhen both inputs of the 990 see identical '& source resistances, the output offset volta#e ill be the lo est. This resistor can result in increased noise hen compared to a #rounded input. This problem can be overcome by addin# a capacitor in parallel ith this resistor. The capacitor has infinite impedance at '&, so the '& specs are unchan#ed. The impedance is much lo er above '&, so the noise performance of the 990 is not si#nificantly compromised. The value of the capacitor is not critical, ith 0.1U1 bein# a #ood startin# point. If the non-invertin# input is #rounded a compensation current can be provided to the invertin# input as sho n in the =-1 application note. This provides the lo est '& offset at the output of the 990, the lo est noise, and ithout the potential de#radation caused by the capacitor. The actual terminatin# point for the non-invertin# input is criticalK In lar#e consoles ith many inputs, much noise can appear on the #round bus. -ven a heavy #round bus ill have a measurable resistance, ith volta#e appearin# across the resistance. These volta#es can be in the form of po er supply noise, return currents 4thus volta#es5 from other modules, etc. 8lthou#h each input of the summin# amp may be at unity #ain, the overall #ain of the summin# amp is hi#her. The #reater the number of inputs, the hi#her the overall #ain ill be. 1or e/ample, 2* inputs ith ;I: of 100L results in a final parallel resistance of *1,L, for a volta#e #ain of 2* 42,.7dI5 4see the formulas5. That is ho much the #round bus noise ould be amplified if the non-invertin# input ere terminated far from the si#nal sources bein# summed. The 990 is much !uieter than most other opamps, but poor layout or #roundin# can defeat this advanta#eK ?on# summin# busses cause increased stray capacitance at the invertin# input, resultin# in phase-shift of the feedbac0 si#nal. In sufficient !uantities, this can cause oscillation at ultra-hi#h fre!uencies. &apacitance can be added in the feedbac0 loop to compensate. 8n isolator 4;?25 can be inserted bet een the summin# bus and the invertin# input. It maintains normal audio performance by providin# less than 1L impedance throu#hout the audio band idth, hile isolatin# stray capacitance by providin# 39.2L impedance at ultra-hi#h fre!uencies.

M-1 Mic Preamp with Input Bias Current Compensation and DC Servo Circuitry
1i#ure , sho s the complete circuit of the =9&-1 mic preamp card used in the =-1 and =-2 mic preamps, state-of-the-art mic preamps manufactured by the $ohn %ardy &o. This circuit eliminates all couplin# capacitors traditionally used in mic preamp circuits, and the de#radation in si#nal !uality that they can cause. The main difference bet een the =-1 and the =-2 is the type of #ain control> a 2section potentiometer in the =-1, a 17position rotary s itch in the =-2. "ee the =-1 and =-2 data pac0a#e for further details. 8t first #lance capacitors seem li0e ideal components to use hen tryin# to eliminate the '& volta#es that al ays mana#e to creep into audio circuits. &apacitors have essentially infinite impedance at '&, and .ero ohms impedance throu#hout the audio band idth if the value is lar#e enou#h for the application. %o ever, capacitors also have problems. "ee the special report about ceramic capacitors on pa#e + for a discussion of one problem. 8nother problem is dielectric absorption. This is a condition here a small portion of the 8& volta#e that passes throu#h the capacitor is temporarily absorbed by the dielectric of the capacitor, then released a short time later, causin# a smearin# of the sound. The severity of the problem depends on the type of dielectric in the capacitor, and other construction details. The problem tends to be unmeasurable ith normal test methods, but can be audible. "ome film dielectrics such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene and Teflon minimi.e the problem. Iut hen a circuit re!uires several hundred microfarads, it is out of the !uestion to use them, both from a space and cost standpoint. 8 compromise approach has been to use electrolytic capacitors of the re!uired lar#e value, then add a 1.0U1 or 0.1U1 4or both5 film capacitor in parallel, the theory bein# that lo fre!uencies ill be handled by the lar#e electrolytic capacitor, and hi#h fre!uencies 4 here the smearin# ould be most audible5 ill be handled by the small film capacitors. Traditional transformer-input mic preamps typically have t o couplin# capacitors in the si#nal path. ;eferrin# to the traditional mic preamp circuit of fi#ure 1 they are &3 and &*. Their functions are discussed in that application note. =ic preamps ith transformerless inputs have t o additional couplin# capacitors to 0eep the Q*+P phantom po er supply volta#e from reachin# the active circuitry of the preamp here it ould cause dama#e. 8n input transformer inherently bloc0s '& volta#es, but does not suffer from the problem of dielectric absorption that capacitors have. =anufacturers of transformerless mic preamps mi#ht say that these capacitors cause less sonic dama#e than an input transformer. This is true of some input transformers, but not ith the $ensen $T-17-I input transformer used in the =-1K This is $ensenHs finest input transformer, and it is truly superior. "ee the =-1 data pac0a#e for details. The =-1 ta0es a different approach. ;ather than forcin# the audio si#nal to pass throu#h various capacitors to bloc0 the '& volta#es 4and, in the process, smear the audio si#nal5, the '& volta#es are nulled usin# special circuitry. The couplin# capacitors are completely eliminated. The input bias current compensation circuit 42III8"35 on the =9&-1 mic preamp card provides an adSustable current to each input of the 990 op-amp. The current is the opposite polarity of the normal input bias currents of the 990 op-amp. Mhen ;P2 is properly adSusted, the input bias currents of the 990 are nulled so that no '& volta#es are developed at the inputs of the 990. Traditionally a couplin# capacitor 4&3 in 1i#ure 15 is used in series ith the #ain controls to 0eep '& volta#es from reachin# the #ain controls here they could cause noise durin# adSustment of the control. The III8" circuit eliminates the need for this '&bloc0in# capacitor. "ince all input-related '& volta#es have been nulled by the III8" circuit, it is no lon#er necessary to orry about a small difference in the volta#es at the inputs bein# amplified into a lar#e '& error or offset at the output of the 990. Therefore it is not necessary to limit the '& #ain of the 990 to unity, a function that &3 also traditionally performs. 8#ain, &3 can be eliminated by usin# the III8" circuitry. 8 Q16P reference volta#e is applied to the top of ;P3, a 26-turn trim pot. The trimmed volta#e is applied to the inputs of the 990 as a current throu#h ;9, ;10, ;11 and ;12. &3 and &* act as noise filters. The '& servo 42"-;PO35 circuit continuously monitors the output of the 990 for the presence of any '& offset, and provides a correction to the invertin# input of the 990 throu#h ;16. The final '& offset of the 990 is determined by the '& offset characteristics of the servo op-amp 4(25. The 8',06$ as chosen because it has e/ceptional '& characteristics, ith a typical '& offset of 200 microvolts and drift of 2 microvoltsCR&. The '& offset performance of the 8',06$ is further improved by an order of ma#nitude throu#h the use of trim pot ;P3. 4&urrently the O99,19 is used as the '& servo op-amp. The ?T1012 and ?=11&: op-amps ere used in earlier production5. The servo circuit itself acts as an ultra-lo fre!uency lo -pass filter. The 1-3dI fre!uency is so lo 4 ell belo 1%.5 that essentially only '& is passed throu#h the circuit and applied to the invertin# input of the 990 as a nullin# si#nal. The t o ;C& net or0s, ;13C&6 and ;1*C&7, alon# ith ;16, determine the operatin# fre!uency. The capacitors have no detrimental effect on the audio si#nal because they only affect fre!uencies in the pass-band of the filter 4 ell belo 1%.5. Input Bias Current Calibration Mhenever a 990 op-amp is replaced, it should be assumed that it has a different input bias current than the previous 990. The input bias current adSustment procedure should be performed as follo s> 1. Install the ne 990, turn on the po er and allo the unit to arm-up for at least 16 minutes. 2. &onnect a '& voltmeter ith at least 100 microvolt sensitivity to the circuit as follo s> The 9ositive lead connects to test point )1 42T9135. This is the output of the 990 op-amp. 8 lon# #old pin is provided for T91, located alon# the left ed#e of the p.c. board near the rear. The ne#ative lead connects to #round. 8 lon# #old pin is provided for this #round connection to the rear of the 990 op-amp. 3. =ove $93 to the 8'$("T 428'$35 position. $93 is located to the ri#ht of the 990 op-amp. This disconnects the '& servo circuit so you can measure the '& offset of the 990 op-amp. *. "et the #ain controls to minimum #ain and ma0e note of the '& offset measured at T91. 6. "et the #ain controls to ma/imum #ain and adSust ;P2 so that the '& offset readin# is ithin 1 millivolt of the readin# ta0en hen the #ain controls ere at minimum #ain. It may ta0e several seconds for this measurement to settle. ;P2 is a 26-turn trim pot labeled III8" located to the ri#ht of the 990 op-amp. 7. ;epeat steps * and 6 until the '& offset measurements are ithin 1 millivolt of each other at minimum and ma/imum #ain. :ote that both readin#s may be several millivolts, or even tens of millivolts. They mi#ht both be positive, or ne#ative. The important thin# is that they are ithin 1 millivolt of each other, and the same polarity. ,. =ove $93 to the 2;(:3 position. This reconnects the '& servo. This should cause the '& offset volta#e of the 990 op-amp to drop to ell belo 1 millivolt. In fact, the '& offset should drop to ell belo 100 microvolts if the '& servo circuit is functionin# properly. DC Offset Calibration The final '& offset of the =9&-1 mic preamp card is determined by the performance of the '& servo op-amp 4(25. 8n 8',06$ or O99, op-amp is used because it has e/cellent '& specifications. It is capable of providin# a '& offset that is typically less than 200 microvolts ithout any additional trimmin#. This is e/cellent, but can be improved by an order of ma#nitude throu#h the use of trim pot ;P3. Mhen ma0in# '& measurements belo 100 microvolts you ill need a '& voltmeter ith a sensitivity and resolution of at least 1 microvolt. =ost meters ill have '& offsets of their o n to deal ith, as ell as drift due to time andCor temperature. -ven the cables and test probes can introduce errors. 1ollo the meter instructions very carefully re#ardin# arm-up time and .eroin# procedures. Mhen you have properly armed-up and .eroed your meter, adSust ;P3 until the '& offset measurement bet een T91 and #round is as close to X-;O microvolts as possible.

Ceramic Capacitors
&eramic capacitors have a bad reputation in audio circles. It is only partially deserved. =any en#ineers are una are that there are several distinctly different #rades of ceramic capacitors, each havin# a uni!ue formulation of ceramic dielectric, and a uni!ue set of properties. The three most common -.I.8. V1W types are> 1. (ltra-stable> &OB dielectric 4also called :9O V2W5. 2. "table> D,; dielectric. 3. Beneral purpose> X6( dielectric. The &OB dielectric is a vastly superior performer. It is also more e/pensive, particularly in values above a fe hundred p1, and is usually dismissed as cost-prohibitive. 8 common mista0e is to shop by price alone and buy the cheaper dielectrics, not reali.in# the serious performance compromises. The en#ineer then condemns all ceramics based on the limited e/perience ith only the inferior types. Too IadK -/amination of the performance #raphs of fi#ure 1 reveals si#nificant differences bet een the dielectrics. In each case N capacitance vs. temperature, capacitance vs. time 4a#in#5, capacitance vs. applied 8& volta#e, capacitance vs. '& stress, and dissipation vs. temperature N the D,; and X6( dielectrics sho si#nificant compromises hen compared to the &OB formulation. The D,; and X6( formulations trade off electrical performance for increased volumetric efficiency. To achieve this a ferroelectric material is used. 1erroelectric behavior is comple/. 8n e/cellent te/t by &entre -n#ineerin# V3W provides a comprehensive discussion of this and other ceramic properties. -ssentially, ferroelectricity causes capacitance to chan#e as the applied volta#e to the capacitor is chan#ed. In audio applications the 8& volta#e passin# throu#h a ferroelectric dielectric ould modulate the capacitance. In resistorCcapacitor net or0s in e!uali.ers and crossovers this modulation causes distortion hich increases as the si#nal fre!uency approaches the cut-off fre!uency of the ;C& net or0. Tests ere conducted ith the &OB, D,; and <6P ceramic dielectrics 4<6P is similar to the X6( formulation5 to measure total harmonic distortion vs. fre!uency hen used as hi#h-pass and lo -pass filters. 1i#ure 2 sho s the specific %9 and ?9 filter circuits and the test results. The D,; and <6P formulations sho si#nificant amounts of distortion, but the &OB formulation, bein# non-ferroelectric, sho s distortion fi#ures at or very near the residual of the measurin# e!uipment. 8n article by $un# and =arsh V*W presented the same test, but ith the D,; dielectric only, providin# a ne#ative vie of ceramic capacitors. The balance of the article is very enli#htenin#, as it enters into relatively une/plored areas of capacitors in audio applications. 8 more recent paper by $un# V6W ma0es the distinction bet een the various ceramic dielectrics and e/presses a favorable vie of the &OBC:9O dielectric. The &OB ceramics ere chosen for use in the si#nal path of the 990 op-amp as manufactured by the $ohn %ardy &ompany for several reasons. 1irst, their performance is e/ceptional, as noted. "econd, thou#h the hi#her values are usually considered cost-prohibitive, the lo values used in the 990 472p1, 91p1 and 160p15 are cost-competitive ith other dielectric types. Third, they are the smallest capacitors available, e/tremely important hen *, components must be pac0a#ed on a 1Y s!uare p.c. board. %opefully this information ill provide a better understandin# of ceramic capacitors. -ach formulation has its proper place, and for audio applications, the &OB dielectric is superior.
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References:
). 6.;.2. @ 6le.troni. ;ndustries 2sso.iation. 2. -D0 @ -egative$Dositive$Fero% indi.ating a temperature .oeffi.ient of .apa.itan.e that is neither plus nor minus% 8ut is very .lose to (ero. Aemp.o @ &0ppm% $** to :)2*G!. &. HA6!'-;!2? ;-I#>M2A;#-% !erami. !apa.itors. !apa.itor .atalog% !entre 6ngineering% 2/20 6. !ollege 2ve.% State !ollege% D2 )6/0) 4. Jung% K.% Marsh% >.% HDi.4ing !apa.itors $ Dart ) 2udio% 20/0L HDi.4ing !apa.itors $ Dart 2 2udio% &0/0 *. Jung% Kalter ,.% HAopology !onsiderations for >;22 Dhono Dreamplifiers. 2.6.S. preprint M)9)N( 1).