Amplifier Classes

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

The coolest thing about the Tripath chips was the scalability. The Tripath chip controlled the output device switching but the output devices could be spec'd to whatever the requirement for the final amp was. The PG Tantrum 1200 was a Tripath as were some of the Avionixx amps.

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

crystal and Zapco both used it but didn't have the 'class-t' agreement, so it wasn't on the amp.

 

[hellomota]

Also, try this website out for alot of good info.

http://www.bcae1.com/ampclass.htm

I learned everthing I know about car audio from that site.

 

[thch 10+ year member]

The Tripath amps weren't "just chip amps." They were chip controlled but the output devices were not on the IC, they were standalone MOSFETs.

from what I recall, tripath made both a controller and a chipamp controller+powerstage IC. the combo ICs were for lower power (less then 100W) applications that needed low cost and low space.

both TI and National make class D controllers that should be fairly scalable.

 

[Vincent9515 10+ year member]

Did you submit this to Wikipedia as well or did you just copy/paste it from there?

 

[kasimo420 10+ year member]

I have maqde alot of post to Wikipedia

 

[937DYTBOI 5,000+ posts]

what are high current amps considered such as the USAMPS XT-1600.2

 

[937DYTBOI 5,000+ posts]

just found it guess its considered class a/b

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

just found it guess its considered class a/b

Most of the time multi-channel amps are class A/B. Class D/T multi-channel amps are typically denoted as such by the manufacturer or in their literature somewhere (mainly for marketing purposes, IMO).

But, the main reason I'm responding is because you mention "high current amps". Keep in mind there's no official or industry-standard definition as to what is considered a "high current" amplifier (that I'm aware of). It's a marketing term and little else.

Typically it's used in regards to amps designed to make power into lower impedance loads (such as 1ohm, since as impedance decreases, output current increases....hence the current output is "higher"). But there's no definition of the term, no classification of which amps can be or can't be "high current" amps. It's based on marketing.

So don't let the term fool you into classifying "high current" amps together as some sort of special or officially designated category as the term itself is meaningless.

 

[Tehgregzor 10+ year member]

clogging up the good info with their diarrhea of the keyboard.

Hahahhahahahahah

 

[fast85_gt]

The coolest thing about the Tripath chips was the scalability. The Tripath chip controlled the output device switching but the output devices could be spec'd to whatever the requirement for the final amp was. The PG Tantrum 1200 was a Tripath as were some of the Avionixx amps.

so what class is the amp in my sig

 

[Harry.Hardwin]

Thanks for such info.