Class D amps

[4runnercrazy 10+ year member]

whats the difference between the class D and the class A amps?

Click to read more...

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

http://www.caraudiomag.com/specialfeatures/0111cae_autofest/index.html

Main difference to the end user is that a class D amplifier is going to have much higher efficiency. Class A amplifiers are limited to a maximum efficiency of 25%, and they draw a ton of current even when at idle (i.e. not playing music)...so you will vary rarily see them with an output power of more than 50w.

Class D, on the other hand, typically have efficiencies in the 70-75% range.

 

[Raven 10+ year member]

Isn't class A was at most 50% efficient, and most likely to be that way under full load?

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Isn't class A was at most 50% efficient, and most likely to be that way under full load?

Maximum efficiency for a pure class A is 25%.

So figure that all of them will be under that.

 

[Raven 10+ year member]

Efficiency is for girly men. Real amps glow in the dark. =)

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Efficiency is for girly men. Real amps glow in the dark. =)

Heh.....pure class A solid state amp's heatsinks will glow in the dark //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif

A member of another forum has reported that he could get his Monolithic pure class A's heatsinks to glow red.

Though....an advantage....no need to run your car's heater in the winter.