barbarianbrute
New member
are class a amps louder? what are the pros and cons of class a amps?
How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
- Thread starter barbarianbrute
- Start date
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
A 30 watt Class A is the same as a 30 watt Class A/B.
A 30 watt Class A is less than a 50 watt Class A/B.
Period.
The pros of Class A are that you get more even-order harmonic distortion - sounds creamier. A Class A/B will have more odd-order harmonics - "raspier" I'd guess you'd say.
Because signal flows through the Class A the entire sine wave, they are not as efficient as a Class A/B and might run hotter. They need bigger trannies to deal with the extra current and heat.
Class A amps are easier to design - no need for a phase splitter.
A 30 watt Class A is the same as a 30 watt Class A/B.
A 30 watt Class A is less than a 50 watt Class A/B.
Period.
The pros of Class A are that you get more even-order harmonic distortion - sounds creamier. A Class A/B will have more odd-order harmonics - "raspier" I'd guess you'd say.
Because signal flows through the Class A the entire sine wave, they are not as efficient as a Class A/B and might run hotter. They need bigger trannies to deal with the extra current and heat.
Class A amps are easier to design - no need for a phase splitter.
barbarianbrute
New member
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
cool thanks man. that's what i wanted to know
cool thanks man. that's what i wanted to know
jerryjg
PinkElephantologist
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
One thing I know is you are being simplistic with , not the desigantion, but the real amp operationg class specs. From what i am given to unnerstand, in ideal real world situations, no amp can run over 15 watts pure class A without going into class AB ...nd thats in ideal operating condtions with super high quality transformers running hot and DANGEROUS (deadly)! To say a modern production amp runs 30 watts pure class A is simply ludicrous. Its a marketing gimmick. Your Vox/Carlsbro amps run a class A probably up to a certain extent beyond other production amplifers, idk-they are dog-gone fine sounding amps!. I think a Fender vintage champ will run 5 watts at pretty straight class A operation.This is all parrot talk. I am not an amp tech.
One thing I know is you are being simplistic with , not the desigantion, but the real amp operationg class specs. From what i am given to unnerstand, in ideal real world situations, no amp can run over 15 watts pure class A without going into class AB ...nd thats in ideal operating condtions with super high quality transformers running hot and DANGEROUS (deadly)! To say a modern production amp runs 30 watts pure class A is simply ludicrous. Its a marketing gimmick. Your Vox/Carlsbro amps run a class A probably up to a certain extent beyond other production amplifers, idk-they are dog-gone fine sounding amps!. I think a Fender vintage champ will run 5 watts at pretty straight class A operation.This is all parrot talk. I am not an amp tech.
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marvar
New member
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
I have a 20 watt class A, and it has no problem keeping up with my 60 watt A/B Marshall. In my 2 guitar, drums, bass, vocals band, I usually use the little 20 watter- it has no problem cutting thru, often, it cuts thru better than the Marshall. I do use a 4x12 with it. I'm even thinking of getting some yellowjackets for the Marshall to convert it to 20 watts class A
I have a 20 watt class A, and it has no problem keeping up with my 60 watt A/B Marshall. In my 2 guitar, drums, bass, vocals band, I usually use the little 20 watter- it has no problem cutting thru, often, it cuts thru better than the Marshall. I do use a 4x12 with it. I'm even thinking of getting some yellowjackets for the Marshall to convert it to 20 watts class A
jerryjg
PinkElephantologist
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
yes, and i have a 30 watt "class A" britiish amp; a Carlsbro Fatboy. Its plenty loud with a 1x12 speaker. I never found 15 watss to be loud enough for me(like in a vintage deluxe), but 30 watts is loud enough. I mean, I have a 120 watt sound City, and a Traynor YGl-3a with humongous transformers that pums out well over 12o watts, and into a 4x12 cabinet, THAT is loud, but the little 30 watt is loud enough for a small room.
yes, and i have a 30 watt "class A" britiish amp; a Carlsbro Fatboy. Its plenty loud with a 1x12 speaker. I never found 15 watss to be loud enough for me(like in a vintage deluxe), but 30 watts is loud enough. I mean, I have a 120 watt sound City, and a Traynor YGl-3a with humongous transformers that pums out well over 12o watts, and into a 4x12 cabinet, THAT is loud, but the little 30 watt is loud enough for a small room.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
I think it's cause you get more of the second order harmonics in class a operation...that makes the sound seem louder cause there's more frequencies getting into your ear. Remember that it takes an amp of 150 watts to truly double the sound pressure of a 15 watt amp, but class a amps of the same rating as an AB amp seem to fill the room with more sound, to me.
I think it's cause you get more of the second order harmonics in class a operation...that makes the sound seem louder cause there's more frequencies getting into your ear. Remember that it takes an amp of 150 watts to truly double the sound pressure of a 15 watt amp, but class a amps of the same rating as an AB amp seem to fill the room with more sound, to me.
BRHGM
New member
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
It depends on the amp. A class A tube amp will definitely sound louder than a slightly larger solid state amp. I would not agree that Class A amps may have a simpler design, but they are usually more expensive. As far as sound, some sound great others are an acquired taste. I don't really like the Peavey JSX mini colossal, but I love the Fender Champion 600, the Vox AC 30 and Gibson Goldtones. I would not say that an AB amp like a Marshall Plexi or the Marshall Lead 20 or are less great sounding amps. It's just a different sound. In the past Class A amps had the problems of catching on fire like the Vox AC-15/30s and early Fenders. The Marshall AB amps like the Major and Plexi blew up transformers. So most amps today are solid state powered or completely solid state and can have tube pre amps with AB wiring because of all of the old problems and cost. They also use PCB boards to save money, too. Do they sound better. No. A Dr Z amp or a Matchless made like the old days will sound better, but will cost a lot.
It depends on the amp. A class A tube amp will definitely sound louder than a slightly larger solid state amp. I would not agree that Class A amps may have a simpler design, but they are usually more expensive. As far as sound, some sound great others are an acquired taste. I don't really like the Peavey JSX mini colossal, but I love the Fender Champion 600, the Vox AC 30 and Gibson Goldtones. I would not say that an AB amp like a Marshall Plexi or the Marshall Lead 20 or are less great sounding amps. It's just a different sound. In the past Class A amps had the problems of catching on fire like the Vox AC-15/30s and early Fenders. The Marshall AB amps like the Major and Plexi blew up transformers. So most amps today are solid state powered or completely solid state and can have tube pre amps with AB wiring because of all of the old problems and cost. They also use PCB boards to save money, too. Do they sound better. No. A Dr Z amp or a Matchless made like the old days will sound better, but will cost a lot.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
The hazards of Class a and ab amps have nothing to do with why amps are solid state power these days...it's about saving Benjamins; solid state amps have almost always been cheaper to make due to the lack of output trannys, and to ship due to lighter weight.
PS...preamp tube have always been and will always be class a devices.
The hazards of Class a and ab amps have nothing to do with why amps are solid state power these days...it's about saving Benjamins; solid state amps have almost always been cheaper to make due to the lack of output trannys, and to ship due to lighter weight.
PS...preamp tube have always been and will always be class a devices.
Re: How Loud Is A Class A 30w VS. An A/B 50w?
the overall volume difference between class a and ab tube amps isnt all that much. the volume difference between 30w class a and 50w class ab isnt all that much either. your speaker choice will have much greater impact on over all volume.
the class ab 50w amp will probably have a louder clean sound given everything else is the same
single ended amps (which are by necessity class a) have lots of second order harmonics, any amp that isnt single ended will cancel some 2nd order harmonics
very few amps are really class a unless they are single ended
the overall volume difference between class a and ab tube amps isnt all that much. the volume difference between 30w class a and 50w class ab isnt all that much either. your speaker choice will have much greater impact on over all volume.
the class ab 50w amp will probably have a louder clean sound given everything else is the same
single ended amps (which are by necessity class a) have lots of second order harmonics, any amp that isnt single ended will cancel some 2nd order harmonics
very few amps are really class a unless they are single ended
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