small headphone amplifier class A circuit

headphone amplifier circuit

Parts List

R1-4= 1.2Kohm R12= 4.7 ohm C8-10= 470uF 25V
R2-3= 3.9Kohm RV1= 10Kohm  Log. pot. C9-11= 100nF 100V ceramic
R5-10= 10Kohm TR1= 10Kohm Trimmer Q1-3= BC184
R6=100Kohm C1= 4.7uF 63V MKT Q2-4= BC214
R7-9= 2.2Kohm C2-7= 100uF 25V Q5= BD136 or BD538
R8= 150 ohm C3-5= 100nF 100V  MKT Q6= BD135 or BD537
R11-13= 6R8 ohm C4-6= 100uF 16V All resistors is 1/4W 1%

It is a very useful thing , to have a small headphone amplifier , capable of driving a couple of pairs phones. Fortunately, the headphone amp has a much easier job to do, in that neither the output power requirements nor the load characteristics are so severe, since headphones typically have a load, impedance , higher of 50 ohm, (typical 600 ohm), and only require 1-2V RMS. max, for normal output. Since only a low power output is required, a Class A stage, is perfectly feasible. For adequate Class A operation the output transistors Q5-6, should pass say 100mA each. With ?15V supply this would mean 1.5Watts dissipation, so a smallish Heatsink, will be needed for each. With RV1 adjust input audio signal and Tr1 adjust the output DC Offset voltage for 0V (?30mV). For stereo application , you need two unit, of this amp. by L. Hood