The sonic difference between Class A and AB is mostly because the Class A amps usually have better power supplies and regulation, and are also better built (they have to, as they run very hot). However, I have heard Class AB amps that sounded better than most of Class A amps. The switching noise is not hearable in any way with a good Class AB amp. Usually it is easier to make good sound with Class A, but again it only depends upon how well is the AB one designed. In my experience good class AB push-pull transistor amps usually sound better than SE units. The same is true with tube amplifiers: Class A is not necessarily better than class AB. Even when using the same topology or the same tubes, one amp can be world-class and can be mid-fi. As a conclusion: usually class A amps sound good, but not necessarily _very_ good. Speaker-cable-amp interaction is more important than the class of the amp.
Class A amps
I've read a few articles on class A amps but still don't have a good understanding of how it affects sound quality. I've even seen amps which can be swithced into class A mode or AB. Does anyone have experience with this type of unit? Does class A have a true audible advantage or can it be detected only by test instruments? If it is audible, in what resepects? Thanks, Rick M.
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- 43 posts total
- 43 posts total