2. amps-preamps
  3. 192949-193435

Class A\B or D for summer months (vs Class A)

I have a Pass XA25 with a XP20 pre-amp with Forte iV speakers.I bounce back & forth between streaming local content & vinyl. Noise floor is low, sound quality is good through the volume range - Classic rock, hard rock, blues rock... Typical late 70's through 90's mainstream bangers.

Last summer I did notice the XA25 amp and my central air were battling it out a little in the listening room. The amp had no issues and runs warm regardless of season. I guess I notice it more when I'm looking to stay cool vs stay warm.

 

I have a Benchmark LA4 preamp that I used prior to the Pass XP20. I'm sure there's good synergy between the Benchmark LA4 and Benchmark AHB2 amp so the AHB2 has been on my 'investigate further' list.

I'm a little worried that it might be too thin or sterile vs the XP25. The AHB2 would certainly help reduce the heat.

Anyone been down a similar path with thoughts to share?

 

tbac23

Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,099 posts
 

your 99dB speakers could operate with a very low wattage amp. I have driven my 98dB speakers with a 2.3 watt decware amp with no problems.  I find that an SET tube amp generally puts very little heat into the room. I don't even have air conditioning.  The exception is the 6C33C tube that runs hot. radiated heat goes at Texp4.  The 6C33C runs about twice the temperature of a normal tube so that is 16 times the radiated heat.  

@carlsbad2 My speakers are 98dB and very easily driven by tubes. My class D amp is quieter by a good 10-20dB than any tube amp I've tried on them so far and has the added advantage of sounding very similar- same smoothness in the mids and highs as the best tube amps I've used, just a bit more transparent.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,099 posts
 

You can't beat.a class A for room heating during the winter!

@fatdaddy2 Here in Minnesota even a class A high powered triode amp has no dent on the room temperature...

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,099 posts
 

@tbac23 I listen to a class D amp year round. I'd put it up against any Pass Labs amp with no worries. It replaced a set of class A tube monoblocks and I've not had any reason to look back.

But you might also consider that if your amp makes heat there's a simple way to move it out of the room without air conditioning. If you can place a vent in the ceiling above the amp, you can used dryer hose and a small fan to vent warm air out of the house. That's a lot cheaper than air conditioning. Works best if the vent is directly above the amp.

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