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Best sounding low power (under 80watts) Class AB amp?

What the world needs is a nice sounding lower power class AB amplifier under 35lbs. I'm tired of power sucking light-bulb dimming Class A designs and 80+ pound Class AB immovable boat anchors on dollies. Tubes and Class D need not apply.

An Audio Research 100.2, CJ MF-80/MF-2250 come to mind. What else is there?

What do you think? I'm I the only one?

--Sensible in Springfield.

128x128hi2alex2

Showing 3 responses by herman

herman
2,216 posts
 

Benchmark AHB2. Reputed to be the quietest amp on the market. Around $3000 used.

second this, have been using one for over a year. I like my 300B amp better but the best solid state I've had, and I've had a bunch

They just went from $3000 to $3300 direct from Benchmark. More like $2300-2500 used. 

herman
2,216 posts
 

dweller's avatar

dweller

3,454 posts

 

@herman What speakers are you using with your 300B? I have Klipsch Forte 4 and having doubts that 300B would be loud enough. Thanks

you can click my name and see my system

herman
2,216 posts
 

@herman Wow! Nifty! Ever take SPL readings (with the 300B amp)?

no, it can go louder than I would ever play it so all good there

 

Have you measured how loud you normally listen? What makes you think you need 80 watts? What kind of music do you normally listen to and at what volume level?

I humbly recommend you download an app something like Decibel X PRO so you can use the built in microphone on your phone to see what SPLs you are typically running. You might be surprised at how little power you're actually using...

agreed, but average listening level is only part of the story. Peaks can be much greater and that's when many speakers can use the extra headroom

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