Explain Class A amp to non audiophile friends


How do I explain a Class A amplifier and a Class A/B amplifier to my non audiophile friends? I tried by saying a Class-A amplifier power devices are conducting a continuous current meaning they are always on. They did not understand and maybe neither do I.

Can someone please explain how a Class A amplifier works vs a Class A/B amp in non technical terms so I can explain it to my friends.
hgeifman

Showing 1 response by elizabeth

A reasonable analogy could be:
The transistor is like a lit path. The music is like shadows moving down this path.
If the path is fully lit 100% of the time, then the only issue is the shadows moving, (music)
in an AB amp, the light AND the moving shadows are being constantly varied. So the shadows may be disturbed by the light (Transistor bias) flickering.