Choosing the perfect audio amplifier can be overwhelming given the large number of different types and technologies. I will help you understand some of the basic amplifier jargon terms. This knowledge will help you choose the perfect amplifier.
Even though some audio sources have already a built-in amplifier, a separate amplifier gives you more flexibility for picking the model that best complements your speakers. There are some mini amplifier models available. These models are small enough to hide virtually anywhere.
When picking an amplifier, your first consideration probably is the amplifier output wattage. You will need a high wattage if you are driving speakers with a low sensitivity (expressed in dB/W), for driving speakers in large rooms or for outdoor speakers. Don't overdrive your speakers though since this can irreparably damage your speakers.
However, amplifier wattage is not everything. Good sound quality is probably more important than raw power. A 20 to 50 Watt amp should be sufficient for most real-world applications.
Amplifier output power is given as Watts rms (continuous) and Watts peak. The rms or continuous value tells you how much power the amplifier can deliver continuously while the peak power figure tells the maximum wattage that the amplifier can deliver for short periods of time. Most people will look at the rms power value when selecting an amplifier. However, music signals are anything but continuous. Therefore picking an amp that has sufficient peak power handling is just as important.
Audio quality is just as important as having enough audio power and therefore you should also look at figures such as total harmonic distortion or THD. No amplifier is perfect. There will be some amount of signal distortion which is caused by the amplifier. The amount of distortion is expressed in percent or dB. A smaller distortion number means a lower distortion of the audio signal by the amplifier. The amount of distortion will be less than 0.05% for a high-quality amplifier. Consumer type amplifiers have higher distortion figures. Typical figures are up to 10% depending on the output power.
Another specification is called signal-to-noise ratio. This number specifies how much undesired components such as hum and noise the amplifier will add to the audio signal. Consumer-grade amps will have a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of at least 80 dB. Higher-end amps will have an SNR of 100 dB or more. Audiophile amps will have an SNR of close to 120 dB.
There are several amplifier technologies available. Today's amplifiers are mostly Class-D amplifiers. Class-D amplifiers have a high power efficiency and waste little energy as heat. High power efficiency has led to the development of very small amplifiers. Some of these latest mini amplifiers are no bigger than a deck of cards. Class-D type amplifiers often have higher distortion and a lower signal-to-noise ratio than Class-A or Class-AB amplifiers. Some latest digital amplifier models, however, come very close to the audio quality of analog amps. Make certain that the amp has low distortion and a high SNR if you pick a Class-D amp.
Even though some audio sources have already a built-in amplifier, a separate amplifier gives you more flexibility for picking the model that best complements your speakers. There are some mini amplifier models available. These models are small enough to hide virtually anywhere.
When picking an amplifier, your first consideration probably is the amplifier output wattage. You will need a high wattage if you are driving speakers with a low sensitivity (expressed in dB/W), for driving speakers in large rooms or for outdoor speakers. Don't overdrive your speakers though since this can irreparably damage your speakers.
However, amplifier wattage is not everything. Good sound quality is probably more important than raw power. A 20 to 50 Watt amp should be sufficient for most real-world applications.
Amplifier output power is given as Watts rms (continuous) and Watts peak. The rms or continuous value tells you how much power the amplifier can deliver continuously while the peak power figure tells the maximum wattage that the amplifier can deliver for short periods of time. Most people will look at the rms power value when selecting an amplifier. However, music signals are anything but continuous. Therefore picking an amp that has sufficient peak power handling is just as important.
Audio quality is just as important as having enough audio power and therefore you should also look at figures such as total harmonic distortion or THD. No amplifier is perfect. There will be some amount of signal distortion which is caused by the amplifier. The amount of distortion is expressed in percent or dB. A smaller distortion number means a lower distortion of the audio signal by the amplifier. The amount of distortion will be less than 0.05% for a high-quality amplifier. Consumer type amplifiers have higher distortion figures. Typical figures are up to 10% depending on the output power.
Another specification is called signal-to-noise ratio. This number specifies how much undesired components such as hum and noise the amplifier will add to the audio signal. Consumer-grade amps will have a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of at least 80 dB. Higher-end amps will have an SNR of 100 dB or more. Audiophile amps will have an SNR of close to 120 dB.
There are several amplifier technologies available. Today's amplifiers are mostly Class-D amplifiers. Class-D amplifiers have a high power efficiency and waste little energy as heat. High power efficiency has led to the development of very small amplifiers. Some of these latest mini amplifiers are no bigger than a deck of cards. Class-D type amplifiers often have higher distortion and a lower signal-to-noise ratio than Class-A or Class-AB amplifiers. Some latest digital amplifier models, however, come very close to the audio quality of analog amps. Make certain that the amp has low distortion and a high SNR if you pick a Class-D amp.
About the Author:
Gunter Fellbaum has been designing audio and electronic products for over a decade. You can find further information concerning t-amp models and stereo amplifiers from Amphony's website.
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