Frequently asked questions about amplifiers and speakers, how to pair them, advantages and disadvantages of each type, etc
Yes, transistors can be replaced in almost all cases, with excellent results when technically correct replacements are used. This is, of course, the key, though, and people often get these details wrong. Part of the art of repairing electronics involves understanding what replacement parts are optimal in various scenarios and how to select the most […]
Can transistors in my vintage amplifier be replaced? Read More »
Class A is the gold standard and always used where cost is not a factor. Based purely on performance and sonics, the highest-fidelity amplifier design is class A. Speaker sensitivity, combined with your amplifier’s power output, determines the system dynamic range, an important consideration not to be overlooked though. No Compromise Nothing sounds better than
For hi-fi purposes, none. Class B is often used for radiofrequency broadcast amplifiers, where high power and low spurious RF emissions (sorry, no class-D in radio!) make it a great choice. On its own though, class B suffers from relatively high (crossover) distortion and is unsuitable for audio for that reason. Combined with a little
Class AB amplifiers offer many advantages that make them the most commonly found designs in the mainstream hi-fi space. For example, class AB amplifiers offer lower cost and cooler operation than class A designs, with some of the finesse and high fidelity, but with some of the punch and brute force power of class B
The critical advantage of class A topology is superlative sonic performance. Basics Class A amplifiers deliver the smoothest, most euphonic sonic performance. That’s why class A is used in high-end designs despite its shortcomings and why the very best amplifiers are class A, where cost is no object. The best class A amplifiers are MOSFET
