Amp/Preamp Asylum

RE: By this metric, all solid state amps are class A.

76.90.100.230

Tre'

In Reply to: RE: By this metric, all solid state amps are class A. posted by Ralph on March 10, 2025 at 09:52:24

"By this metric, all solid state amps are class A."

I need you to explain that please.

Are you saying that all SS amplifiers drive the speakers with the driver transistors at low levels?

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

Follow Ups:

RE: By this metric, all solid state amps are class A. - Ralph 10:24:42 03/10/25 (0)
Not all but quite a few.

A lot depends on design. If you look at an amp with a symmetrical design, you'll see driver transistors direct coupled to the outputs.

Just like the output transistors, the drivers have emitter resistors that are connected to the loudspeaker output. At low levels the driver transistors are perfectly capable of driving the speaker. What level depends on how well the device is heatsinked as well as the series resistance of the emitter resistor.

I put myself through college working on consumer gear so I've seen many amps that still played despite having damaged output transistors. We're not talking a lot of power here, just milliwatts. But that's all that's needed to allow for a smooth transition, if you were to take advantage of this aspect in a class B design.

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