Aikido Split-Load Phase Splitter
Although I have covered the Aikido split-load phase splitter before, here is a quick recap. A grounded-cathode amplifier stage (not an SRPP stage), made up from two triodes and two cathode resistors, directly couples to a split-load phase splitter, which delivers two anti-phase signals to the push-pull output stage. The Aikido aspect of this configuration lies in the phase splitter's two outputs holding identical amounts of B+ noise, which the output stage, being a difference amplifier, largely ignores, resulting in a noise-free output. The split-load phase splitter normally has terrible PSRR (close to zero) at the plate output and a fine PSRR at its cathode output (roughly 1/mu). The configuration shown below is quite simple, but powerful. Since the two identical input triodes share the same valued cathode resistors, they define equal resistances and, thus, equally split both the B+ DC voltage and B+ AC ripple. (I am duplicating names here, sorry. The fancy Aikido split-load phase splitter that I created back in blog 196 is an altogether different animal, as it uses two triodes in a totem-pole configuration and it delivers two phases of output signal with no power-supply noise, amazingly enough.)

The configuration shown above yields a signal gain roughly equal to one half the mu of the input triodes used. For example, a 12AX7, with a mu of 100, would develop a gain of 50, or +34dB. Note that the split-load phase splitter's output signals, although out of phase with each other, are equal in magnitude. Such a pair of balanced output signals is perfect for the following push-pull output stage, as its signal reference is ground.

On the other hand, a totem-pole configuration of push-pull output tubes requires asymmetric balanced input signals, as the bottom triode signal reference is ground, but the top triode's reference is the output stage's output.

For proper push-pull operation of the output tubes, wherein both tubes undergo equal but anti-phase current swings, both triodes must see equal cathode-to-grid input signals. With one small modification to the Aikido split-load phase splitter, the totem-pole output stage gets just the set of balanced input signals it needs. Note that the bottom 10k resistor is no longer "grounded" via the capacitor; instead, it attaches to the output stage's output (usually via a large valued capacitor).

The asymmetry between output signals bothers many electronic newbies but the asymmetry only exists if we view the signals from the perspective of ground. If we examine the cathode-to-grid voltage relationships within the output stage triodes, we see that both top and bottom triodes see an equal signal.

Okay, now we can move on to power-supply noise elimination from the output stage's output signal. Remember that a push-pull output stage is a differential amplifier, which treats balanced AC voltages as input signals, but largely ignores in-phase input AC signals. A signal transformer is a good example of a device that functions differentially.

If both of the primary leads are tied together and attached to a signal source, no matter how high the signal's amplitude, the secondary sees nothing, as both of the primary leads saw the same signal. On the other hand, if one of the primary leads is grounded and the other lead is attached to a signal source, the secondary sees an AC signal across its leads.

In short, if we want a noise free output signal from the push-pull output stage, we must either feed it a noise-free balanced input signal, which is difficult, or a noise-ladened balanced input signal, whose noise is equal in magnitude and in phase.

The input stage splits the power-supply noise and delivers it to the split-load phase splitter. This noise is then passed on in phase by the split-load phase splitter's cathode output. Since the 10k cathode resistor sees this AC noise signal superimposed across its leads, the current flowing the resistor varies accordingly. Since the plate resistor falls in the same current path, it also sees the current variations, creating an anti-phase signal at the plate; in other words, negative noise. Since the negative noise signal is half the magnitude as that found at the B+ connection, the amount of noise at the plate output is equal to 1 - 0.5, or 0.5. Thus, each output from the split-load phase splitter holds the same amount of in-phase power-supply noise.

 

Aikido SLPS Headphone Amplifier
Now we can combine the Aikido split-load phase splitter with a totem-pole output stage to create a fine tube-based headphone amplifier. (The very second some see the word "headphone" they tune out, hating headphones and all things headphone related. Big mistake. The following circuit would also make a fine linestage amplifier that could work well extremely low-impedance loads, such as Zen power amplifiers or 600-ohm input impedance amplifiers.)

Unlike an SRPP or White cathode follower or SRCFPP headphone amplifier, all of which require a known, fixed load impedance, the Aikido SLPS headphone amplifier can work with a wide range of load impedances, as the Aikido split-load phase splitter within it automatically adjusts the balanced output signals for each load impedance attached to the output.

Before anyone asks if other tubes could be used, let me say that I just pulled these tube types out of my hat. Topology is what is important here, not the tube types. Huge 300W radio transmitting triodes could be used as the input tubes and tiny pencil tubes or nuvistors could be used as output tubes. Different tube do not make different topologies. A cube is cube whether its made of gold or carbon or wood or chocolate; as long as it is a regular solid having six congruent square faces, it is a cube. Having said that, I quite like the tubes shown above, but I would also like to use an ECC99 or 5687 or 6H30 or 6BX7 as the output tube. If the lowest noise was my goal, I would use a 6N1P as the input tube. If I planned on using a negative feedback loop to lower the output impedance, then I would use a 12AX7 or 5751 as the input tube.

Now let's look into the Aikido-like elimination of power-supply noise from the amplifier's output. The schematic below shows the noise relationships within the amplifier. The input stage halves the power-supply noise; the split-load phase splitter passes this noise to both output tubes; and the two output tubes see the same noise signal, so they both vary their current conduction equally as result; thus, there is no difference in conduction between the output tubes, so there is no difference, no delta to pass on to the external load impedance.

Very cool indeed. I should mention that the wonderful power-supply-noise null only occurs while both output triodes are conducting, i.e. class-A operation. Once one output tube is cutoff, the noise null no longer obtains. When does class-A operation end? When the current output exceeds twice the idle current through the output stage. For example, 20mA, with an idle current of 10mA, which into a 300-ohm load, would equal an output voltage swing of 6Vpeak—plenty loud.

But what about output impedance? The best way to examine this aspect of the headphone amplifier is to work backwards by imagining a positive-going pulse applied to the output (by a buffed solid-state power amplifier or a strong battery being quickly attached and then unattached tot he output).

The positive pulse is relayed to the split-load phase splitter via the 10µF capacitor, which then forces the split-load phase splitter's output at its plate produce the positive pulse, causing the bottom output tube's grid to go positive, increasing its conduction, thereby pulling the amplifier's output down. The top output tube will see its cathode being pushed up in voltage, but its grid remains fixed, so the top tube decreases its conduction, causing the amplifier's output to fall. In other words, both output tubes work equally to counter the positive pulse.

What happens if a negative-going pulse is applied instead? Everything is much the same, but this time the top output tube increases its conduction, pulling the amplifier's output up; while the bottom tube decreases it conduction, letting the output climb. Once again, both output tubes work equally to counter the pulse.

The key point here is that both output tubes function as cathode followers, in spite of the bottom triode looking like it is configured in a grounded-cathode amplifier topology—it is not. Thus, the output impedance is roughly equal to

        Zo = [ rp/(mu + 1) + Rk]/2

With 6DJ8/6922 output tubes, the output impedance would be roughly 100 ohms. If the two cathode resistors were bypassed by a large capacitor, the Zo would roughly equal 50 ohms. My preference would be to live with the higher Zo and not use bypass capacitors, as they are very much in the signal path. If a lower output impedance were absolutely required, then a negative feedback loop could be employed.

This tube headphone amplifier is inverting, so the feedback loop must attach to the bottom input tube's grid, not its cathode. Note the greatly increased coupling capacitance at the output. Why? I assume that low-impedance headphones, say 32 or 50 ohms must be driven, so a larger coupling capacitor value is needed. In Addition, with the negative feedback loop in place, we do not want excessive phase shifts within the audio band of frequencies, as they can turn an amplifier into an oscillator.

 

Next Time
Wow, that was a shockingly brief post by me. I hope to return with a hybrid variation of the above circuit.