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Class A vs. AB vs. D... can you hear a difference?

All things remaining constant is there an audible difference?

I do not mean tube vs. Solid state.

All solid state.

Some Class A amps go to class AB after so many watts... is there an audible change?

I ask because I have a class AB amp and was thinking about going to a class D set up front for home theater

Thanks

Bill
baranowski

Showing 1 response by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,638 posts
 
Having heard a fair sample of all three, in general I would say yes, each group tends to have some similar sonic characteristics as a group that will still vary somewhat in comparison case by case.

Class A is more towards a warmer tube amp sound than A/B. Sound is still more damped however.

Class D also is more towards tube amp sound in the sense of being more liquid in the midrange in particular. Sound is very highly damped but more holographic and neutral to colder sounding in particular than most Class A/B.

Class A/B can vary widely all over the place but tends to be more towards the middle of the others sonic traits in general.
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