MAX9726
DirectDrive, Headphone Amplifier with
BassMax, I2C, Volume and Gain Control
10
______________________________________________________________________________________
Detailed Description
The MAX9726 stereo headphone amplifier features
Maxim’s DirectDrive architecture, eliminating the large
output-coupling capacitors required by conventional
single-supply headphone amplifiers. The MAX9726 con-
sists of two 105mW Class AB headphone amplifiers, two
adjustable gain preamplifiers, hardware/software shut-
down control, inverting charge pump, integrated 64-
level volume control, BassMax feature, comprehensive
click-and-pop suppression circuitry, and an I2C-
/SMBus-compatible interface (see the
Functional
Diagram/Typical Operating Circuit). A negative power
supply (PVSS) is created internally by inverting the posi-
tive supply (VDD). Powering the amplifiers from VDD and
PVSS increases the dynamic range of the amplifiers to
almost twice that of other single-supply amplifiers,
increasing the total available output power. High PSRR
topologies eliminate the need for an external voltage
regulator.
An I2C-/SMBus-compatible interface allows serial com-
munication between the MAX9726 and a microcon-
troller. The internal command register controls the
shutdown status of the MAX9726, enables the BassMax
circuitry, and sets the volume level (see the
Volume
Control section). The MAX9726’s BassMax circuitry
improves audio reproduction by boosting the bass
response of the amplifier, compensating for any low-
frequency attenuation introduced by the headphone.
External components set the MAX9726’s overall gain
allowing for custom gain settings (see the
Gain-Setting
Components section). Amplifier volume is digitally pro-
grammable to any one of 64 levels.
DirectDrive
Traditional single-supply headphone amplifiers have
their outputs biased about a nominal DC voltage, typi-
cally half the supply, for maximum dynamic range.
Large coupling capacitors are needed to block this DC
bias from the headphone. Without these capacitors, a
significant amount of DC current flows to the head-
phone, resulting in unnecessary power dissipation and
possible damage to both the headphone and head-
phone amplifier. In addition to the cost and size disad-
vantages, the DC-blocking capacitors required by
conventional headphone amplifiers limit low-frequency
response and can distort the audio signal.
Maxim’s DirectDrive architecture uses a charge pump
to create an internal negative supply voltage. This
allows the MAX9726 headphone amplifier outputs to be
biased about ground, almost doubling the dynamic
range while operating from a single supply (see Figure
1). With no DC component, there is no need for the
large DC-blocking capacitors. Instead of two large (up
to 220F) tantalum capacitors, the MAX9726 charge
pump requires only two small 1F ceramic capacitors,
conserving board space, reducing cost, and improving
the frequency response of the headphone amplifier.
See the Output Power vs. Charge-Pump Capacitance
and Load Resistance graphs in the
Typical Operating
Characteristics for details of the possible capacitor
sizes.
VDD*
*VDD IS INTERNALLY LIMITED TO ±2.5V DUE TO ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
AND TO LIMIT POWER DISSIPATION.
-VDD*
GND
VOUT
CONVENTIONAL DRIVER-BIASING SCHEME
DirectDrive BIASING SCHEME
VDD/2
VDD
GND
VOUT
2VDD*
Figure 1. Traditional Amplifier Output vs. MAX9726 DirectDrive
Output