Re: the Threshold 500’s. Claimed 20 output devices per channel, for 250 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms with about 20% of that being Class A, the Class AB power output could steadily double down into 4 Ohms, but while doing so the Class A output would halve, the amp was said to be capable of doubling it’s rated steady state output for up to a couple of minutes. Nelson Pass might have been a bit generous to himself when it came to how he defined Class A. Still, IMHO impressive.
Class A into Class AB
What is the goal of a designer who makes intergrated amps that have class A for x amount of watts before it goes into class AB? Are there any examples of this being implemented well? I get this feeling that it’s kind of just a marketing thing...where people think they are getting some quality class A without the very high price tag. I was particularly looking at the CODA CSiB amps where you have three choices of how much of your first watts are class A. I have since found a few other respectable brands that implement this as well. I have yet to come across anyone who has heard much of difference between AB amps and one’s that’s state "first X amount of watts..." Class A/AB. Anyone have any experience with these kind of integrated amplifiers? Just looking for a little bit of understanding as I’m trying to upgrade my amplifier.