How to design a Power Amplifier

I have several electronics books from which I am presently reading the subject of power amplifiers. I noticed two different approaches.

In the first book, the author claims that a power amplifier is one that delivers the most possible power that the transistor is capable of to a load. So, he said the Q point of the amplifier should be set on the power curve. Given that the transistor cannot handle currents above $I_{C(max)}$ or collector emitter voltage above $V_{CE(max)}$, tangents can be drawn on the power curve from the these two extremes. These tangents are the ac load lines and all the points between the intersection of the two tangents with the power curve are the permissible Q points such that the transistor is driven to its utmost limit. Also these Q points will always be at the center of the ac load lines (tangents). This seems very clear and intuitive.

In another book, the approach is different. Here, the author begins with the dc load line and shows that the ac load line is different. Then he goes on to explain that to maximize the voltage and current swing the Q point has to be on the center of the ac load line, which again seems logical.

In the first approach the amplifier can be designed with the load in mind. By this I mean, if you know $V_{CE(max)}$ on the characteristic curve, you can draw the ac load line and immediately get the Q point. From the slope of the ac load line we can easily find the ac collector resistance and from there proceed with finding the biasing resistors. In the second approach, locating the Q point seems to be very difficult because even if the Q point is at the center of the dc load line, it is very possible that the Q point is not at the center of the ac load line !

So here are my questions. Which method should I adopt in designing a power amplifier ? Also, suppose I chose the second approach how can I be sure that even if I manage to set the Q point at the center of the ac load line, it will be on the power curve ?

• This question has quotes from unknown sources that are not making complete sense to me. It could be an early morning thing but to be sure, neither method sounds like a way I'd design a power amplifier. – Andy aka Sep 29 '14 at 7:41
• Well, how would you design a power amplifier ? – horemheb Sep 29 '14 at 8:18
• You don't design a power amplifier (or any other amplifier for that matter) around a particular device. Also, you don't generally want to be operating a device at close to its maximum ratings most of the time anyway. You first need to understand the signal levels and impedances at the input and output of the amplifier, and then develop a circuit and select devices that meet those requirements. – Dave Tweed Sep 29 '14 at 9:28
• Start with a specification. This leads to choosing a topology. Then the detail work begins. – Andy aka Sep 29 '14 at 9:53
• @DaveTweed - except when building an active speaker or an audion device with integrated speaker. Also most of the developers for commercial products design close to the maximum ratings, so they can uses the cheaper parts. – Kitana Nov 19 '14 at 17:15