Class X amps

Ok I was talking a to a firend who is putting together a van for Db drag and I asked him what class amp he was going to use. And he said a class X amp. Any budy have any idea what this class X amp is.

The Class X amp is a new class of amplifiers that many of the manufacturer's are coming out with now. This is a claim from one of the companies:

" Class X Mono Amplifiers exclusively for subwoofer use, are as much as 3 times more efficient than Class AB amplifiers. With efficiency ratings near 90%, they make the most of the power you give them to produce the most bass possible. This means that 90% of the power supplied to a Class X amp will be converted to MUSIC, not heat. As compared to a Class AB amp, which may convert as low as 30% to music, and 70% to HEAT! "

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

doesnt that sound alot like a class D to you Jeff?

thats rather funny...take a look at Zapco class Ds, and they claim 90% efficiency as well...as do many other class D manufacturers...it seems to me like that was the hype when class Ds came out...I think I remember seeing similar phrasing to that when class D first started to be the rage...

almost sounds gimmicky to me...maybe a way for lower end companies to sell their "new technology class X amps which operate at 90% efficiency!"

which companies are producing this class X?

MA Audio is producing one

Hey Big Purds, I think your right about the Class X and the fact that it's a gimmick for the lower end or beginner companies to ride the Class D wagon in their own little niche. The companies that I have researched for these " Class X " amplifiers are mostly the high volume, low end companies ( not saying that they are not good, but not as good a reputation as some of the more main stream companies ).

Companies with Class X amplifier: Visonik, Farenheit, MA Audio , Autotek

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

I also know Infinity has a powered sub that comes with a class X amp

asdf1234 wrote:

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Ok I was talking a to a firend who is putting together a van for Db drag and I asked him what class amp he was going to use. And he said a class X amp. Any budy have any idea what this class X amp is.

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From What I know there is Class E thru H, and Class-T (Tri-Path). Nverhad I heard about Class X, Sounds like a Model line mname or Marketing VoDoo or Snake Oil.

class e thru h?

I am aware of a, b, a/b, b/d (altho I am not sure if this fully and functionally works like it is sposed to yet), and T...not that you will find many a or b class amps...plz explain e thru h to me...

Big Purds wrote:

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class e thru h?

I am aware of a, b, a/b, b/d (altho I am not sure if this fully and functionally works like it is sposed to yet), and T...not that you will find many a or b class amps...plz explain e thru h to me...

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Class E operation involves amplifiers designed for rectangular input pulses, not sinusoidal audio waveforms. The output load is a tuned circuit, with the output voltage resembling a damped single pulse.

The following terms, while generally agreed upon, are not considered "official" classifications 

Class F are similar t Class E  yet use more complex output tuned, output. circuits. Class C,E, and F are more commonly used in Communications applications.

Class G operation involves changing the power supply voltage from a lower level to a higher level when larger output swings are required. There have been several ways to do this. The simplest involves a single class AB output stage that is connected to two power supply rails by a diode, or a transistor switch. The design is such that for most musical program material, the output stage is connected to the lower supply voltage, and automatically switches to the higher rails for large signal peaks [ thus the nickname rail-switcher]. Another approach uses two class AB output stages, each connected to a different power supply voltage, with the magnitude of the input signal determining the signal path. Using two power supplies improves efficiency enough to allow significantly more power for a given size and weight. Class G is becoming common for pro audio designs. [Historical note: Hitachi is credited with pioneering class G designs with their 1977 Dynaharmony HMA 8300 power amplifier.]

 

Class H operation takes the class G design one step further and actually modulates the higher power supply voltage by the input signal. This allows the power supply to track the audio input and provide just enough voltage for optimum operation of the output devices [thus the nickname rail-tracker]. The efficiency of class H is comparable to class G designs. [Historical note: Soundcraftsmen is credited with pioneering class H designs with their 1977 Vari-proportional MA5002 power a mplifier.]

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The FLUKE Guy.