Class A question

Helium · Post by **Helium** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 5:44 pm

Do Orange amps have a solid state or a valve (tube) rectifier? Something like a 5AR4? If the rectifier is solid state, is the amp still classified as 'pure' class A?

Edited by - helium on 16 Aug 2004 17:45:36

prophetikrocker · Post by **prophetikrocker** » Mon Aug 16, 2004 6:12 pm

yep it's a a tube. a gz34 to be exact (in my ad30r at least). it's not totally 'pure' class a though. we've discussed this before on here somewhere. hope that helps.

spoonie g · Post by **spoonie g** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:09 am

and to further clarify, the 30-watt Oranges are the only ones with tube rectifiers.

LesPaulKing · Post by **LesPaulKing** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 4:49 am

the rectifier doesnt make it class A its the way the power tubes are set up, and as a class A amp is pushed harder it goes futher into class A/B. so an AD30 is a true class A amp, it just goes more into class A/B as it is pushed harder...AD 15s have a valve rectifier too.

I love my AD15

macahan · Post by **macahan** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 12:03 pm

i went on reading.. as stated above.. the "big-watt" oranges all have solidstate...

really.. what difference does it make?? ayone?<img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

my ad200 sounds amazing..

Andy H. · Post by **Andy H.** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 1:40 pm

Okay, the rectifiation used has nothing to do with the class of an amp.
Put simply, it is part of the power supply, and doesn't actually carry the guitar signal at all. Rectifiers convert alternating current (AC) from the wall supply, to direct current (DC), which is what your valves need. Not so glamourous really.
Solid state ones are common and do the job well. They provide a nice reliable supply of current. Valve ones are less common, and react less quickly to changing demands for power, introducing 'sag'. This just means that when you have a big signal, the power supply can't cope instantly. But this adds to the nice compressed 'feel' that we like about valve amps, so valve rectification is often deliberately used.
Some amps have both, eg the Mesa Dual Rectifiers. You can switch between solid state and valve rectification. For loud but tight, you'd go SS. For a looser sound and feel, where out and out volume isn't everything, you would choose valve. They do make a difference, and it depends what you want out of an amp.
Andy.

corduroy909 · Post by **corduroy909** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 6:07 am

I've always wondered what dual rectifiers meant. I learn something new everyday reading this forum!

Jason

macahan · Post by **macahan** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:58 am

well.. me to.. i did NOT know tha about the rectifiers..

my ad200 sounds amazing..

chris comber · Post by **chris comber** » Wed Aug 18, 2004 7:48 pm

Damn I feel stupid now cos i thought dual rectifiers was something to do with having 2 channels. IE rectifier meant just one channel.

How dumb do I feel now!

Class A question

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