I will have a look at some audio amplifiers and clarify some important vocabulary to help you select the ideal amplifier for your loudspeakers
Audio amps appear in all different shapes and sizes. They employ different technologies and have countless technical specs. By following some simple rules, you will be able to select the model that best meets your application and budget.
The majority of today's audio amps are based on solid-state technology whilst a tiny portion is based on tube technology which has been popular over a decade ago. Tube amps, on the other hand, have a relatively high amount of harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion describes how much the audio signal is degraded while being amplified. This expression is often used while comparing the audio quality of amplifiers.
An audio distortion of up to 10% is normal for tube amps while solid-state amps have lower audio distortion depending on the particular technology. Some of the most popular technologies in the past have been "Class-A" and "Class-AB" technologies. These technologies use different arrangements to amplify the audio. Amplifiers based on any of these technologies are also known as "analog amplifiers". Audio amplifiers which are based on these technologies normally have low harmonic distortion. In addition, this technology is fairly inexpensive. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that the power efficiency is merely in the order of 20% to 30%. Power efficiency refers to how much of the electrical power is really utilized to amplify the signal. The remaining part is wasted as heat. An amp with low power efficiency will radiate the majority of its power as heat.
Another technology is called "Class-D". This technology provides much greater power efficiency than analog amplifiers, normally around 80 to 90%. "Class-D" amps are also known as "digital amplifiers". As a result of the switching output stage, digital amplifiers generally have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. However, a number of of the most recent models are able to minimize distortion to 0.05% and less by utilizing a feedback mechanism.
In contrast, "Class-D" amplifiers which are also known as "digital amplifiers" offer a power efficiency of generally 80 to 90%. This permits the amplifier and power supply to be made a great deal smaller than analog amplifiers. As a consequence of the switching output stage, digital amps typically have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. Though, some of the newest models are able to lower distortion to 0.05% and lower by employing a feedback mechanism. When picking an amp, ensure that the output power is enough to drive your loudspeakers. The required power will be determined by how much power your loudspeakers can handle as well as the size of your room where you will be listening. There are two values for speaker power handling: peak and average power handling. The peak value indicates how much power the speaker can handle for small periods of time. The average value on the other hand denotes how much power the loudspeaker can tolerate continuously without damage.
If you have a relatively small listening area then 20 to 50 Watts of power should be plenty even though your speaker may be rated for 100 Watts or higher. Note though that speakers differ in their sensitivity. Typically a low-impedance speaker will be easier to drive to high volume than a high-impedance loudspeaker. Be certain that your amp can drive your loudspeaker impedance. You can without problems find the rated speaker impedance range in your amplifier's user manual.
Other significant parameters are the signal-to-noise ratio and frequency response which should be in the order of at the least 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response for high-quality amps.
Audio amps appear in all different shapes and sizes. They employ different technologies and have countless technical specs. By following some simple rules, you will be able to select the model that best meets your application and budget.
The majority of today's audio amps are based on solid-state technology whilst a tiny portion is based on tube technology which has been popular over a decade ago. Tube amps, on the other hand, have a relatively high amount of harmonic distortion. Harmonic distortion describes how much the audio signal is degraded while being amplified. This expression is often used while comparing the audio quality of amplifiers.
An audio distortion of up to 10% is normal for tube amps while solid-state amps have lower audio distortion depending on the particular technology. Some of the most popular technologies in the past have been "Class-A" and "Class-AB" technologies. These technologies use different arrangements to amplify the audio. Amplifiers based on any of these technologies are also known as "analog amplifiers". Audio amplifiers which are based on these technologies normally have low harmonic distortion. In addition, this technology is fairly inexpensive. On the other hand, the disadvantage is that the power efficiency is merely in the order of 20% to 30%. Power efficiency refers to how much of the electrical power is really utilized to amplify the signal. The remaining part is wasted as heat. An amp with low power efficiency will radiate the majority of its power as heat.
Another technology is called "Class-D". This technology provides much greater power efficiency than analog amplifiers, normally around 80 to 90%. "Class-D" amps are also known as "digital amplifiers". As a result of the switching output stage, digital amplifiers generally have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. However, a number of of the most recent models are able to minimize distortion to 0.05% and less by utilizing a feedback mechanism.
In contrast, "Class-D" amplifiers which are also known as "digital amplifiers" offer a power efficiency of generally 80 to 90%. This permits the amplifier and power supply to be made a great deal smaller than analog amplifiers. As a consequence of the switching output stage, digital amps typically have larger harmonic distortion than analog amplifiers. Though, some of the newest models are able to lower distortion to 0.05% and lower by employing a feedback mechanism. When picking an amp, ensure that the output power is enough to drive your loudspeakers. The required power will be determined by how much power your loudspeakers can handle as well as the size of your room where you will be listening. There are two values for speaker power handling: peak and average power handling. The peak value indicates how much power the speaker can handle for small periods of time. The average value on the other hand denotes how much power the loudspeaker can tolerate continuously without damage.
If you have a relatively small listening area then 20 to 50 Watts of power should be plenty even though your speaker may be rated for 100 Watts or higher. Note though that speakers differ in their sensitivity. Typically a low-impedance speaker will be easier to drive to high volume than a high-impedance loudspeaker. Be certain that your amp can drive your loudspeaker impedance. You can without problems find the rated speaker impedance range in your amplifier's user manual.
Other significant parameters are the signal-to-noise ratio and frequency response which should be in the order of at the least 100 dB signal-to-noise ratio and 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response for high-quality amps.
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