McGraw-Hill Education TAB The Audiophile's Project Sourcebook: 80 High-Performance Audio Electronics Projects

What this book is and who it’s for

The Sourcebook is exactly what I want from a hands-on audio electronics compendium: a practical, build-focused collection of circuits with just enough theory to be dangerous—in a good way. Across its 361 pages, it covers the building blocks of two-channel audio systems: power amplifiers, line-level preamps, tone controls, filters, protection circuits, and power supplies. It’s not a textbook and doesn’t try to be. You’re expected to understand basic electronics terminology and be comfortable reading schematics, handling mains power safely, and soldering on perfboard or a PCB.

If you’re brand-new to electronics, the on-ramps here might feel steep. If you’ve built a few kits, understand op-amps and transistor biasing, and want to craft your own amplifier or preamp from a reliable reference, this book hits the sweet spot.

Clarity and structure

Each project follows a consistent arc:
- A plain-language explanation of what the circuit does and why the topology was chosen.
- Key design considerations (noise, PSRR, thermal behavior, protection).
- A schematic and, crucially, 1:1 PCB artwork for etching your own boards.

I appreciate the writing style—it’s direct and surprisingly readable for a technical book. The theory sections are brief but purposeful; they’re there to inform decisions, not overwhelm with mathematics. That makes a big difference when you’re choosing between, say, a BJT output stage and a MOSFET alternative or weighing the trade-offs of a particular feedback network.

Building from the pages

I built a mid-power discrete Class AB amplifier and an op-amp-based preamp with tone control from the book. Both worked on first power-up using the suggested PCB artwork and parts values. The amplifier required the usual diligence with grounding, heatsinking, and bias setup, but the guidance was solid. The preamp project, on the other hand, was a weekend build that rewarded careful layout and cable management with a quiet noise floor and predictable gain structure.

A few practical notes from my bench:
- The 1:1 PCB artwork is a real asset if you etch at home. If you plan to send boards to a fab, you’ll need to redraw in CAD (I used KiCad). Expect an extra evening or two per board for that.
- I ran into minor annotation inconsistencies—nothing catastrophic, but enough that I now cross-check resistor values in the schematic against the parts list before ordering.
- Component availability has shifted since first publication. Most semiconductors still have drop-in equivalents, but plan to cross-reference datasheets for Vceo, Pd, and hFE (or transconductance for MOSFETs). The book’s design choices are mainstream enough that modern substitutes don’t upset stability if you match specs sensibly.

Audio results

Subjectively, the amplifier builds are clean, neutral, and robust. I was particularly impressed by the stability under difficult loads (reactive speakers and long cable runs). The protection circuits—DC detection, relay muting, and thermal sensing—are easy to integrate and actually work as intended. The preamp projects are pragmatic: low noise, sensible gain, and no “mystery audiophile” parts required to get good results. This is engineering-first audio, not mythology.

Measured performance (THD+N, noise floor, and bandwidth) aligned with what I expect from well-executed Class AB designs. If you already know your way around a scope and a dummy load, you’ll feel at home verifying the numbers and tweaking compensation caps where needed.

Layout and documentation

The schematics are generally readable in print. In the digital edition I tried, some diagrams were too compressed to read component values comfortably; that’s a common limitation of scanned technical illustrations. If you intend to build multiple projects, I recommend the print edition for clarity.

One ergonomic gripe: the included PCB masks are bound into the book. Getting a clean photocopy or scan without stressing the spine is awkward. A spiral-bound or looseleaf option—or downloadable artwork files—would solve this elegantly. As it stands, I gently flattened the binding and used a high-resolution scanner; it worked, but I worried about damaging the book.

What’s inside—and what isn’t

You’ll find:
- Discrete BJT and MOSFET power amplifiers (sensible topologies, not “edge of stability” experiments)
- Op-amp and discrete preamps, tone controls, and equalizers
- Filters, crossovers, and practical power supply designs
- Speaker protection, soft-start, and muting circuits

You won’t find:
- Class D amplifier projects
- Switching power supplies for amps
- DSP-based effects, microcontroller control, or IR/user-interface modules
- Guitar-style effects (delay, echo, distortion), or room/special effects generators
- Tube amplifiers

Given the publication date, the focus on linear topologies and analog control is expected. If your goal is a modern, low-heat Class D build or a smart preamp with digital control, you’ll need to supplement with newer resources.

The learning experience

What I like most is how the book guides judgment calls. You get enough explanation to understand why a particular VAS configuration is chosen, how biasing affects crossover distortion, and where grounding can make or break a layout. It sets you up to modify a circuit with intent, not by guesswork. That said, it assumes you’ll verify your changes with measurements—not just your ears.

A few actionable tips if you build from it:
- Start with a low-voltage project (e.g., a line-level preamp) before tackling the higher-voltage power amps.
- Use a bulb limiter or variac for first power-up on any new power amplifier.
- Star ground religiously; the layouts are decent, but your enclosure wiring can undo the quiet.
- Budget for heatsinks larger than you think you need; thermal headroom improves reliability.
- Keep a notebook of component substitutions and test results; future you will thank present you.

Accuracy and reliability

No design collection is error-free. Across several builds and dry-runs, I ran into a handful of small issues: mislabeled resistor designators, a capacitor value I double-checked against the text, and one layout where a track clearance near a power device pad made me nervous. Nothing prevented a successful build, but you should be comfortable reading and sanity-checking schematics. Treat it as you would any serious DIY: “trust, but verify.”

Value and longevity

Even with some content showing its age, the core material holds up. Linear power amps, tone controls, and analog gain stages are still ubiquitous, and the book’s conservative engineering translates well to today’s parts. I got more value from the clear, reproducible circuits and build notes than I do from many modern “project” books that skip the why. As a reference you’ll return to for modules—protection, power, filters—it earns its spot on the shelf.

Where it fits in a modern workflow

My current approach looks like this:
- Use the book to select and understand a circuit topology.
- Redraw the schematic and PCB in CAD, making small improvements (mounting holes, test points, wider power traces).
- Substitute currently available parts, checking stability margins.
- Prototype on a lab PSU when possible, then commit to the full supply once bias and protection behave.

The Sourcebook is excellent in that first phase and still useful in the second as a checklist.

Recommendation

I recommend this book for intermediate DIY audio builders who want dependable, well-explained analog projects and are comfortable working from schematics. It’s especially valuable if you plan to build a traditional Class AB amplifier, a clean line-level preamp, or want robust protection and power modules without reinventing the wheel. If your focus is modern Class D, DSP, or microcontroller-driven systems, you’ll need to pair this with newer resources. For what it aims to be—a practical catalog of solid audio circuits with enough theory to inform smarter builds—it succeeds, and it has earned a permanent spot on my bench.