LNEtubaPLYR Posted February 6, 2002 Share Posted February 6, 2002 Does anyone know the difference between a regular amp and a "MOSFET" amp? what is the difference? i just bought a new pioneer car cd deck and some of the decks say mosfet and some don't. any help would be great thanx Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Garrison Posted February 6, 2002 Share Posted February 6, 2002 There are two types of transistors used in audio amplifiers: "bipolar" transistors and "MOSFET" transistors. MOSFET stands for metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor. There are differences in the way circuits using the different types of transistors are designed. There are differences in the performance characteristics of the transistors. Apocryphal stories have it that bipolars tend to sound more dynamic with more bass, and MOSFETs have a smoother sound. I think that the overall circuit design has more impact on the sound than the type of transistor used. The actual technical differences between the various types of transistors are way beyond the scope of this bulletin board. Do a web search for transistor and bipolar and mosfet, and you'll find a lot of highly confusing very technical stuff to peruse. To grossly oversimplify, tubes are modulated by an input voltage and produce a varying output voltage. MOSFETs are modulated by an input voltage and produce a varying output current. Bipolars are modulated by an input current and produce a varying output current. Thus, MOSFETs are closer analogs to tubes than bipolars. ------------------ Music is art Audio is engineering Ray's Music System Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LNEtubaPLYR Posted February 6, 2002 Author Share Posted February 6, 2002 thanx for the help. i think i understand. but are the MOSFET amps better on taking a beating? thanx Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowooo Posted February 6, 2002 Share Posted February 6, 2002 Just depends on what your beating them with! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted February 6, 2002 Share Posted February 6, 2002 It's like Ray said, It depends on the circuit design and the parts used, as well as the type transistors. Good post BTW, Ray. I think the old metal cap transistors will take a beating better than a newer bipolars or Mosfets, if you beat them with a rock. THANX! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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