Class A into Class AB


I’m still a little confused about power amplifiers and integrated amplifiers that are class A & class A/B. Like when they say the first 8 watts are class A then it goes into 400watts class A/B. But the same amplifier can be biased to put out 12watts class A then go into 250watts class A/B. It can be biased again for 18watts class A and 150watts class A/B. etc. Ive read that these amplifiers, ones that can be biased like that...and in general all the "first X amount of watts are class A before going into class A/B"...that those first X amount of class A watts is NOT true class A. If that’s true...what is it then? What’s "kind of" class A mean? What’s the point of a "first X amount of watts are class A" then?

tmac1700

Showing 1 response by larry5729

I am not sure if a class A amp produces more current?  I think current is more important than watts.  I have heard class A amps sound better.  However, they are more expensive.  A pure class A produces more heat.  I think this is why manufactures are designing amps that switch from Class A to Class AB in order to reduce heat.