* Class-A Output device(s) conduct through 360 degrees of

input cycle (never switch off) - A single output device is possible.

The device conducts for the entire waveform in Figure 1
* Class-B Output devices conduct for 180 degrees (1/2 of input
cycle) - for audio, two output devices in "push-pull" must be used
(see Class-AB)
* Class-AB Halfway (or partway) between the above two
examples (181 to 200 degrees typical) - also requires push-pull
operation for audio. The conduction for each output device is
shown in Figure 1.
* Class-C Output device(s) conduct for less than 180 degrees
(100 to 150 degrees typical) - Radio Frequencies only - cannot be
used for audio! This is the sound heard when one of the output
devices goes open circuit in an audio amp! See Figure 1, showing
the time the output device conducts (single-ended operation is
assumed, and yes this does work for RF).

When I first wrote this article, I had completely forgotten about

the Quad "Current-Dumping" amp, which uses a low power
"good" amplifier, with a push-pull Class-C type amp to supply the
high currents needed for high power. Although these enjoyed a
brief popularity, they seem to have faded away. I was reminded of
their existence by an article by Douglas Self ("Class Distinction",
in the March 1999 issue of Electronics World ), in which he quite
rightly points out that the current-dumper is (at least in part)
Class-C.
* Class-D Quasi-digital amplification. Uses pulse-width-
modulation of a high frequency (square wave) carrier to
reproduce the audio signal - although my original comments were
valid when this was written, there have been some very significant
advances since then. There are some very good sounding Class-
D amplifiers being made now, and they are worthy of an article of
their own.