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While a 'high' current amplifier is generally desired, why is there no industry standard for maximum current delivered? Or if these is, why do very few manufactures list their current rating?I seem to remember a conversation with a manufacturer some years ago (probably Threshold, Bryston or Belles) once saying that there amplifier could deliver X ampere's at any phase angle.
Seems many TALK about their SS products having high current, but none specify exactly what that is!
Anyone have an opinion as to what 'high' current actually is, and why this information is not listed in the specifications of most amplifiers?
Follow Ups:
It might be because current by itself has no meaning. Current cannot exist without power, thus the name 'power amplifier' rather than 'current amplifier'.Back in the 80s and 90s, some manufacturers said their amps could deliver '80 Amps' of current. Just for fun let's do a little math. The power formula is Power=Amperage(squared) X Resistance
So, giving the manufacturer the benefit of the doubt, we'll call the Resistance '1' since it is a multiplier. Thus: Power=80 squared X 1 or an amp with 80 amps makes 6400 watts.
As we all know, there are no amps that can make 6400 watts into 1 ohm. The fact of the matter is that the 80 Amp figure is the amount of current produced when the power supply is shorted out for 10ms. I know of some tube amps that can do that.
Here's some more interesting math. Let's say you can do 200 watts into 4 ohms.
200=A(squared) X 4, solving we get 7.07 Amps. In the world of 'high current' amps, that is not a lot of current. Also note that if a tube amp makes the same power into the same load, the same current will be produced.
Just some stuff for you to think about...
Thanks very much for taking the time to respond! I knew the answer must be somewhat complicated when nobody chimed in!Seems the marketers have a field day with 'high current' claims, and no wonder.
Given your formula's, does that mean that, for example, all 100 watt amplifiers produce the same amount of current? Or are there design advantages to say Class A vs Class AB; Bipolar vs MOSFET. I've heard claims that bipolar's can deliver 'more current' - seems IF this is true, then the amount might marginal?
Perhaps in the end, current is not all that some would make it out to be?
The current will be the same as long as the load and the power are the same.This is not to say that there are not a lot of phenomena that is different with tube/transistor technology.
Both technologies are power sources (not 'current' or 'voltage' sources as you hear about a lot).
What is different goes to the heart of at least two debates you see in audio: tubes/transistors and objectivist/subjectivist.
Transistors are part a the idea that voltage is all that is important, and that the ideal amp makes constant voltage with respect to load. Tubes are part of the idea that power is what is important, and the ideal amplifier makes constant power with respect to load.
What is interesting about this is that tubes (the 'obsolete technology) have continued to remain competitive over the last 45 years since the voltage paradigm came into common use (when the transistor appeared). No matter which you prefer, the fact that this is so points to the reality that tubes are not obsolete...
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