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Is there any benefit in matching diode pairs ? For example the pair in the Killer Bee or Super Sonic. I’m also picking parts for the T-Drive. Is it worth my time to pick diode with similar forward voltages ?
I have no idea, but when I built my MKC the diodes were matched by me to both having 0.35V forward voltage, which is what the original builder of the Klon supposedly did. To my ears, it didn’t sound any different or magical to my ears compared to diodes that had slightly mis-matched forward voltages.
Clipping diodes are going to generate additional harmonics to the audio signal. And with as much, there is no practical benefit to matching diodes in a clipping application. As long as they are the same ID & type, there is nothing to be gained with further efforts to achieve clipping symmetry. (IMO)
Oh, and for further clarification, two diodes of the same type (back-to-back) form a symmetrical clipping configuration. By datasheet definition, they will have closely matched Fvd to start.
For asymmetrical clipping configurations, one wants to intentionally mis-match the Fvd of the diodes. Say one is silicon and the other is germanium. Or one side of the clipping configuration can be doubled up. (See attached image.)
These linked articles may also be of some benefit . . . .
Thanks. The articles are a great help.
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