What class is your amplifier in?

A few weeks ago, we looked at the the difference between valves and solid-state components such as transistors or integrated circuits in hi-fi amplifiers. One of the issues that emerged from that podcast was the question of amplifier topology or class. It appeared from the research undertaken that the amplifier topology could have as much impact on the ultimate sound as the nature of the devices doing the amplification. In this podcast, we will consider the most common amplifier classes, the characteristics of the sound with which they are associated and some examples of highly regarded amplifiers within each class. The very fact that there are highly regarded amplifiers in each class suggests that no one class is best, but rather each has its own characteristics, and in conjunction with the loudspeakers used will generate its own particular sound quality.