So I got Merlin's Books....

[Lonely Raven]

So I got Merlin's books...I was surprised that they are hard cover. I was expecting nice big trade paperbacks. Is it bad that I was hoping for more pictures? LOL I'm a very visual person, and the internet hasn't helped with that. I'm only a few paragraphs in, and already I like his teaching style. He starts of by saying this is a valve, this is the type we will be studying, ignore the rest for now. I like that; mentally it clears your mind and allows you to focus. I teach this way as well, so it's appreciated. Other books I've tried to get into either are all over the place, or brow beat you with how smart the author is...

I have however been reminded that basic electronics was 20+ in high school, and I spent more time chasing girls than paying attention in class.

So can anyone recommend a really good, easy primer to get me back up to speed. I'm almost following Merlin (granted, I'm only a few paragraphs in) but I realize I should rebuild my foundation. I just want one book or downloadable manual that will re-teach me the basics, Ohms law and on up.

Thanks!

[xtian]

This is an awesome intro book, with LOTS of illustrations of the basic concepts: http://www.lyonbooks.com/book/9780596153748

[tubeswell]

Keep persevering with Merlin's books. I read and re-read them countless times before bits of them started to sink in. But you need to take them one chapter at a time. Ch 1 and 2 of the pre-amp book are very important. No prizes for being fast. Get through the pre-amp book first. JM2CW

[Weathered]

I picked up Merlin's books a little while ago as well - I'm definitely in round two of reading the initial chapters of the preamp book.

I've found that they pair very well with the Pentode Press books (Richard Kuehnel's works) to provide a very good education on all of the moving parts in a circuit.

Definitely take your time in reading them to be sure you get all of the little details. Read and re-read, and in time it'll start to come together.

[Lonely Raven]

This is an awesome intro book, with LOTS of illustrations of the basic concepts: http://www.lyonbooks.com/book/9780596153748

Thank you for that, sounds like something I'd learn well from.

Any other suggestions?

[vibratoking]

There are a lot of online resources. Here are some:
http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/ba ... ronics.htm
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/echeev ... t%20Method

The Swarthmore link has some very good beginner info with examples.

Learn Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's Law and you will have a great start. Don't gloss over the math. Dig into it and really learn it at the most basic level. Understanding the fundamentals is REQUIRED!

Merlin explains how tubes work in some detail. He also explains basic circuit topologies using them. Follow the math and make sure you understand where his equations and results come from.

Tackle transformers as a separate subject. Merlin also has good information on them.

You must persevere and avoid glossing over anything that you don't understand. Ask specific questions here if you like and I'm sure you will get answers. Whether they are right or wrong is another question.

[Weathered]

This may be a bit beyond where you are right now, but I just found this, and it's REALLY cool:

http://ampbooks.com/home/amplifier-calc ... capacitor/

Having these calculators at your fingertips can help you to visualize the change in a circuit when you change certain components. Kind of nice to have a graph with moving parts.

[Structo]

Sounds like you just need a basic electronic theory book to brush up on the rules, principles and theory.

Like a college 101 electronics book.

You might check if you have a local community college if they have a used book store and see what they are offering.

[Kagliostro]

Not to underestimated this books because is dated, give it a try, read some pages before

http://www.leradiodisophie.it/Download/ ... -tubes.pdf

I forgot to give you this "magic" link

http://www.tubebooks.org/technical_books_online.htm

all you need to know is there

Kagliostro

[Structo]

I love all the online resources these days but I guess I am old fashioned in a way because I still like to hold a book in my hands.
Plus you can highlight or put bookmarks in key locations.

But I certainly have learned a lot from all the published online stuff as well.

[rsi]

The Navy basic electronics book is not bad. I use it when i need to look up basic stuff. The edition i have was from the sixties.

[Lonely Raven]

Thanks for the added resources. I'm reading more into Merlin's power supply book, and it's gone over my head pretty quickly. So I definitely need to start over at a more basic level. I kinda feel like I wasted $80 on these two books, but only because I can't use them *now*.

If I could find time, I might even just take an electronics 101 course. I learn better when I'm held accountable for bothering to pick up the book and work through the lessons/tests.

[pinkphiloyd]

I have his pre-amp book and it's fantastic. I'm gonna get his power amp book soon, and Kuehnel's power amp book. But I've also been looking at the "The Ultimate Tone" books. Anybody have anything to say about those?

http://www.londonpower.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=3

[bluesfendermanblues]

....and I spent more time chasing girls than paying attention in class.

Ditto

[vibratoking]

If Merlin's books are over your head, then Kuehnel's will bury you.

The Ultimate Tone series has alot of good information. No denying it. But it is presented in a kind of rambling way. There is no good way to find a specific electronic discusson and/or subject because there is no index and the table of contents is done poorly IMO. I just don't find the organization to be effective. He constantly references other books in the series but there is no good way to find what he is referencing. And you must own all of them for that to work. They are overpriced IMO. Also, there are statements regarding how circuits work without any math behind the conclusions. I have seen questionable conclusions in his books that are stated as fact without any 'real' analysis behind them.

Again, if you don't know basic electronic principles and the math behind them, this book will leave you confused in many ways. You can read the series and gain some knowledge, but you will be left with huge holes in your understanding.

Go back to the basics and learn them - Ohm's Law, KCL, KVL, time constants, frequency response, Laplace transforms, transformers,etc...You will have to force yourself to do the math. That is the only way up the learning curve IMO. Once you have moved up the curve, things start to get easier. Then you can start reading and understanding the books mentioned. Also, without a good foundation you will never learn how to troubleshoot a 'real' amp IMO.