The future of germanium ? ( diodes mainly )

Dave Moore · 2005-12-09T04:35:22+00:00

I'm interested in hearing the thoughts of ye expertsabout the future of germanium. Specifically, germanium diodes, as I have decidedto possibly take to market some of my old circuitdesigns that used germanium diodes. There would seem to be a number of semi-houses thatstill manufacture them, however they certainly don't seemto be a hot item at any of the popular distributers. Another disturbing trend :-) is the so-called*improvement* in leakage specs. This maybe an "improvement" for some applications,but to those in the world of guitar amplifierFX design, this could well be the death nell.So what thinketh ye ? Will the good old leakyGe diode soon go the way of long since deceasedreptiles? ThanksDave Moore

Dec 09, 2005 21 Replies

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: > Tim : : very low voltage for power saving? Would have many uses in computers : etc. Ge tr circuits can run happily on 0.5v supplies. : : NT

Perhaps they were thinking of me and my never ending quest for sonic signature devices :-) Naw

BTW, are any of those ancient back to back Ge circuits posted anywhere online for viewing?

I'd be curious to see that I don't reinvent the wheel. Though I don't think I am as I've never heard any musical FX recordings that sound quite like what I'm doing, which goes a ways beyond simply slapping a pair of back to back Ge's on an op amp.