Correct J.B, it is not Class A.
dakkon, it only weighs 24 lbs.
Actually, as I understand it, the amplifier circuitry itself is conventional class AB. It is the power supply that is VERY different.
With conventional amplifier power supplies, the power transformer and rail caps need to be large enough to keep the rail caps charged all the time, so that the full DC power is always "ready" for any large signals that might come along. Bob Carver, in IMHO quite a stroke of genius, came up with a much more efficient way to supply high DC power only on-demand.
So the power transformer in these amps is very different and is called a "magnetic-field coil". This, along with a triac, allows the amplifier to consume very high power only on-demand but run much cooler and more efficiently. This also allows it to have much less bulk. There are multiple voltage rails that are switched between as needed. The M1.0t has 3: 32v, 67v and 112v. Most of the time it is "loafing" on the 32v rail.
That is a way over-simplified explanation. If anyone would like to see the full details, all of the historical material is available here:
http://www.thecarversite.com/yetanotherforum/Select "Carver / Sunfire Amplifier Technology" and there are a number of fascinating documents available there including "The Carver magnetic field amplifier story, parts I, II and III"
--Mark--
