DIY Kit 50 - 25W HI-FI AUDIO AMPLIFIER MODULE

INTRODUCTION The output appears at pin 4 of the IC and drives a

This kit contains the essential components needed to build loudspeaker directly. Long speaker leads can produce
a high fidelity amplifier module using the National enough capacitance to drive amplifiers into VHF
Semiconductor LM1875 IC. With the addition of a oscillation. Resistor R6 (1Ω) and capacitor C4 (0.22uF)
handful of parts and a suitable power supply, this module help prevent this. They are connected across the output
will deliver 25W RMS into 8 ohms @ 1% THD. PCB and form a Zobel network which provides high-frequency
dimensions are a tiny 53 x 50mm (2.1” x 2”). stability when driving capacitive loads.

Heatsink, speaker and cables are not included. This is not The IC power supply is connected via 2A fuses to protect
only to save weight in the kit but also because such items against any external shorts to ground. Capacitors C5 and
are often a matter of personal preference by the user. C7 provide further on-board supply decoupling.
Some users may choose to spend more money to buy top
quality cables, connectors and speakers, while others may POWER SUPPLY
have all these items already in their junk box. The module is powered by a dual +/- 25V supply. These
rails are supplied by a separate power supply board.
The kit is constructed on single-sided printed circuit
board. Protel Autotrax & Schematic were used in the We have one kit available for this purpose - Kit 114. It
design. consists of four diodes (1N5401) connected as a bridge
rectifier and four electrolytic capacitors (2200uF) to
LM1875 SPECIFICATIONS smooth out the ripple.
• Up to 30W output power into 8 ohms
• Typical THD of 0.015% @ 1kHz, 20W output The mains transformer used to power the module should
• Short circuit protection be rated at 60VA with a 35V centre-tapped secondary
• 94dB supply rejection ratio winding. A 30V secondary winding transformer could
• In-built thermal protection also be used but the lower DC output would result in
• S/N ratio in excess of 100dB reduced power output.
• Open loop gain typically 90dB
If you want to run two modules in a stereo amplifier you
• 70mA quiescent current (typical)
can use a common power supply. In this case the
transformer should be rated at 80VA.
CONSTRUCTION
Start with the lowest height components first, resistors and TESTING
capacitors. Be careful to get the electrolytic capacitors in Before applying power, check that all parts are inserted in
the correct way around. The positive lead is marked on the the correct locations. Make sure that the electrolytic
overlay. The negative lead is marked on the body of each capacitors are the right way round. Connect the power
capacitor. Leave the fuse holders and IC to last. supply leads with a multimeter (set to read amps) in series
with the positive rail. Do not connect a speaker or audio
The following items have to be supplied by you: input yet.
• a heatsink with a thermal resistance of 1.4 °C/W or
better. Use the silicon impregnated washer supplied Switch on the power and check that the current settles
when attaching it to the IC. down to 50-70mA. There will be a brief suge as the main
filter capacitor (C7) charges.
• 8 ohm speaker of suitable power
• suitable cables. Note: You must have the heatsink fitted, otherwise the
thermal overload protection circuit will cut in and switch
Solder the power and audio cables directly to the pads the device off.
provided on the PCB.
If the quiescent current is correct, check the DC offset
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION volrage across the speaker terminals. It should be less than
The IC can be used with two power supply arrangements - +/- 50mV. If all is well, switch off the power and connect
single supply and dual supply. We have decided to use the a speaker and an audio input signal.
dual supply version. The single supply version would
require the use of 63V electrolytic capacitors, thus
increasing the cost and overall size of the module.

The input signal is coupled via R1 and C1 to the non-

inverting input (pin 1) of the IC. The closed loop gain of
the amplifier is set to 19 by resistors R5 (180K) and R4
(10K). R4 and C3 (22uF) set the lower 3dB frequency
point to 7Hz.

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 DIY Kit 50 - 25W HI-FI AUDIO AMPLIFIER MODULE
OPERATION PARTS LIST - KIT 50
Do not operate the module without a heatsink. Resistors (0.25W carbon)
1R brown black gold .......... R6 ..................................1
The heatsink tab on the LM1875 IC is internally 1K brown black red ............ R1 ..................................1
connected to the negative supply pin (3) and therefore the 10K brown black orange .... R4 ..................................1
negative supply rail. If the module is mounted inside an 22K red red orange ............. R3 ..................................1
earthed metal chassis then it must be isolated from the 180K brown grey yellow .... R5 ..................................1
heatsink using an insulating washer. If not, the negative 1M brown black green........ R2 ..................................1
supply rail will be shorted to ground. Capacitors
100nF monobloc................. C2,6 ...............................2
The LM1875 can drive either 4Ω or 8Ω loads but it 0.22uF polyester film.......... C4 ..................................1
delivers slightly more power into 8Ω loads. Maximum 1uF 50V electrolytic ........... C1 ..................................1
output power into 4Ω loads is 20W. It is recommended to 22uF 63V electrolytic ......... C3 ..................................1
use an 8Ω speaker. 220uF 50V electrolytic ....... C7,5 ...............................2
Semiconductors
To minimize noise and distortion, keep the input signal LM1875.............................. IC1.................................1
leads away from the power supply leads. 25W Audio Power Amplifier IC
Miscellaneous
IF IT DOES NOT WORK Fuse holder & cover ........... FS1,2 .............................2
Poor soldering (“dry joints”) is the most common reason 2 amp fuses.................................................................2
that the circuit does not work. Check all soldered joints Silicon impregnated insulated TO-220 washer...........1
carefully under a good light. Re-solder any that look Screw, 3 x 12mm ........................................................1
suspicious. Check that all components are in their correct Nut, 3mm....................................................................1
position on the PCB. Are the electrolytic capacitors the Washer, 3mm..............................................................1
right way round? Are the fuses OK? PCB, K50 ...................................................................1

If the negative supply fuse (FS2) blows, check the Download the LM1875 data sheet from the National
insulating washer between the LM1875 IC and the Semiconductor website at
heatsink. This will happen when the heatsink is bolted to
an earthed metal chassis. Remember that the metal tab on http://www.national.com
the IC is internally connected to the negative supply rail.

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