The theoretical efficiencies of class-D amplifiers are compared with those of conventional amplifiers by means of a power balance. As a result of certain similarities, it is suggested that class-AD and class-BD modes of operation should be defined. The class-D amplifier converts the collector dissipation of a conventional amplifier into load power components at a large number of modulation frequencies. When these are removed by filtering, a high overall efficiency results. The analysis presented includes an idealised treatment of the class-D amplifier with an inductive load, and enables constructive comparisons to be made.