The "Class A JFET" stage in the Pigtronix Polysaturator

[mordechai]

I've been trying to find a schematic to better understand how this circuit functions.  Is the "Class A JFET" stage essentially something like a Fetzer Valve placed at the outset of the circuit before the op-amp section?  If so...would it just have a resistor setting the gain level coming out of that stage in place of a volume pot, or is there more going on there?

[R.G.]

I don't know the schematic, but all single-JFET amplifiers used in pedals are "Class A JFET" stages. 

I think this is just a bit of creative advertising. "Class A" just means "biased into the linear range for the entire signal cycle". It strikes me much like the billboard for "batchelor chow" in Futurama - the note "Now with FLAVOR!!" or advertising a rubber ball as "made from the same material as Stealth Bomber tires!!"

That doesn't mean it's not a contributor to the sound, as discrete Class A JFET stages do have their own soft distortion. But don't read too much into the advertising.

[mordechai]

Thanks for the comment R.G.  I will try to take a look inside one at some point to see if they do have a discreet JFET stage before the op-amp.  At any rate, my favorite foodstuff from Futurama is most certainly Slurm cola.

[Bill Mountain]

I don't know the schematic, but all single-JFET amplifiers used in pedals are "Class A JFET" stages. 

I think this is just a bit of creative advertising. "Class A" just means "biased into the linear range for the entire signal cycle". It strikes me much like the billboard for "batchelor chow" in Futurama - the note "Now with FLAVOR!!" or advertising a rubber ball as "made from the same material as Stealth Bomber tires!!"

That doesn't mean it's not a contributor to the sound, as discrete Class A JFET stages do have their own soft distortion. But don't read too much into the advertising.

Just quoting because I love that you watch Futurama.  They're all math fans and don't give a shit if the audience gets it or not.

[B Tremblay]

I dunno, I like that Everybody Loves Hypnotoad show even more than Futurama.

[chromesphere]

I dunno, I like that Everybody Loves Hypnotoad show even more than Futurama.

*clap* *clap*