Single-Ended Class-A Audio Amplifiers

[shaan]

(in case you don't know)

A Single Ended Class-A Amplifier is a class-a audio amplifier in which the output is controlled by a single device conducting through the entire 360 degree of the input signal... i.e. only a single Tube, power BJT or power MOSFET at a high bias current does the final amplification, making it the simplest audio reproduction circuit topology.

As everyone knows, these amplifiers are VERY inefficient(15%-25% or even as low as 4%), generate a LOT of heat, need costly power supply and BIG heatsinks to work properly.

HOWEVER, numerous claims say that this topology, often using NO global negative feedback, sound most natural and is above any and all amplifying topology used in audio amplifier designs.

[planet10]

I couldn't submit to your poll... none of the responses cover my opinion.

Execution & synergy with the loudspeakers, i believe, play a bigger role. That said i really like my SE amps, but my favorite so far is Class A PP EL85 (triode) -- so many amps so little time.

dave

[chatziva]

i have listened to pass labs f5 briefly and yes it sounds nice but class-d is not far off if not similar (depending on the rest of system of course, speakers etc.)

if you dont want an amp & heater combo go for class-d ... its the way forward IMHO

[shaan]

Originally Posted by planet10

I couldn't submit to your poll... none of the responses cover my opinion.

Execution & synergy with the loudspeakers, i believe, play a bigger role. That said i really like my SE amps, but my favorite so far is Class A PP EL85 (triode) -- so many amps so little time.

dave

It's not like you must actually vote. You expressed your opinion and it says clear what it says- "but my favorite so far is Class A PP EL85 (triode)". Thanks for the opinion.
This poll is not public. Nobody knows who voted on which choice.
That said you could actually choose "No".

[Pano]

I voted.

[planet10]

Originally Posted by shaan

You expressed your opinion and it says clear what it says- "but my favorite so far is Class A PP EL85 (triode)".

I do think SE amps are special, and no other PP amp but that one has surpassed a pile of SE amps. No is too harsh a response.

A more appropriate poll answer would be "it depends:

dave

[shaan]

Originally Posted by planet10

I do think SE amps are special, and no other PP amp but that one has surpassed a pile of SE amps. No is too harsh a response.

A more appropriate poll answer would be "it depends:

dave

This is the case for people like you who has that PP Class-A amp at home. I understand the situation. For those who know that SE Class-A is inferior in as many ways as it is superior to other amps, but don't want to hurt it, there is a third option, choosing which will be as great a contribution to this poll as choosing any other.

misc:- The fourth option is almost unnecessary, but as it is also almost necessary to know who didn't hear about such an amp I kept it there, like "just another option", clicking which may contribute almost nothing. But there are people whose situations fall in that criteria; I made it an option to choose too.

Thanks.

[Jeb-D.]

They do some things better, but some things worse. So I vote "just another amplifier", since "it depends" isn't an option.

[shaan]

Originally Posted by Jeb-D.

They do some things better, but some things worse. So I vote "just another amplifier".

To the point.

[tomtt]

Originally Posted by planet10

none of the responses cover my opinion.

same here.

as with most polls, the options are limited.

and yet, the results so far, are quite informative .

Execution & synergy with the loudspeakers, i believe, play a bigger role.

this may be the most important factor, for what we are trying to achieve .

and,

what should be recognized, and gently ingrained into the 'noobs.