Operating Classes of Audio Amplifiers

AUDIOPHILE REFLECTIONS — #01 Spring Edition

Amplifier operating classes describe how the output stage transfers power to the load and how much energy is dissipated as heat.

Class A, AB, B and switching solutions address different compromises between linearity, efficiency, available power and circuit complexity.

The article explains why a class designation alone cannot predict sound quality: design, power supply, biasing and real behaviour into a loudspeaker remain decisive.

Marco Manunta