what's CLASS in amps?

Morbid · 22nd June 2004, 08:32 PM

sorry for the disknowledge....but I want to learn as much as I can on amps and building since im building these amps i have questions....

whats class A/B/C/D...Z amps? is this the quaility or what?

chipbased is gainclone / transistor is Solidstate?

where can i read good stuff about it?

thanks...

,
Chen.

azira · 22nd June 2004, 08:45 PM

Without trying to start a war....

Class refers to the operating "mode" of, essentially, the output devices in an amplifier.

Some different operating modes examples are:

-constant current flow through the output devices so that they are always "on"

-current flow only through output devices that "need" to be active so that their duty cycles are less than 100%.

-tiered output devices with modulated voltage rails so that at low power levels, less power is wasted.

However, because there are several excellent books by experienced designers as well as textbooks which don't strictly define the differences between classes, there tends to be lots of arguments about what class a particular topology is.

The only thing people can really agree on is if a topology has a constant current flow of atleast 1/2 the peak current you expect through the load, it's most likely a class-A device.
--
Danny

leadbelly · 22nd June 2004, 09:03 PM

http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.p...lifier+Classes

Morbid · 22nd June 2004, 09:46 PM

thanks ! so its like the stk...its only warms if there is signal or output load....

soundNERD · 25th June 2004, 02:48 AM

no amp is 100% efficiant. Every amp, even those STK's will put out some heat with no signal. Not much though since it is most likely Class AB operation meaning higher efficiency. If they were class A then they would always be hot even with no signal.

See my website for a (basic) description of classes:

http://www.aloofhosting.com/electronet/audio.htm#class

22nd June 2004, 08:32 PM	#1
Morbid diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: israel	what's CLASS in amps? sorry for the disknowledge....but I want to learn as much as I can on amps and building since im building these amps i have questions.... whats class A/B/C/D...Z amps? is this the quaility or what? chipbased is gainclone / transistor is Solidstate? where can i read good stuff about it? thanks..., Chen.

22nd June 2004, 09:03 PM	#3
leadbelly diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta	http://www.diyaudio.com/wiki/index.p...lifier+Classes __________________ Aerodynamics are for people who can't build engines. Enzo Ferrari

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale: Tube Amps, Class-A Amps, BG Ribbons, Chassis and Other Goodies!	opc	Swap Meet	23	2nd November 2009 05:04 PM
How about a round-up of Class A kit power amps, or collectable vintage class A?	Brisso57	Solid State	4	14th February 2007 10:30 AM
Amps Class G,H,T,Z	Gold_xyz	Solid State	1	14th December 2005 12:39 AM
Has anyone compared the Chip amps against Class T amps?	soongsc	Chip Amps	3	24th July 2005 11:50 AM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

22nd June 2004, 08:45 PM	#2
azira diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Near Seattle	Without trying to start a war.... Class refers to the operating "mode" of, essentially, the output devices in an amplifier. Some different operating modes examples are: -constant current flow through the output devices so that they are always "on" -current flow only through output devices that "need" to be active so that their duty cycles are less than 100%. -tiered output devices with modulated voltage rails so that at low power levels, less power is wasted. However, because there are several excellent books by experienced designers as well as textbooks which don't strictly define the differences between classes, there tends to be lots of arguments about what class a particular topology is. The only thing people can really agree on is if a topology has a constant current flow of atleast 1/2 the peak current you expect through the load, it's most likely a class-A device. -- Danny

22nd June 2004, 09:46 PM	#4
Morbid diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: israel	thanks ! so its like the stk...its only warms if there is signal or output load....

25th June 2004, 02:48 AM	#5
soundNERD diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Illinois	no amp is 100% efficiant. Every amp, even those STK's will put out some heat with no signal. Not much though since it is most likely Class AB operation meaning higher efficiency. If they were class A then they would always be hot even with no signal. See my website for a (basic) description of classes: http://www.aloofhosting.com/electronet/audio.htm#class

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)