Class A integrated amp recommendations

I should also add that my listening space is long and narrow, with low ceiling approximately 10'x30' with listening position about 12' from speakers. Most sessions are at 65 to 70 dBs with peaks to 80 dBs as measured by free app on my phone. I know, hardly an audiophile or instrument quality setup but it does serve as a reference point.

Thanks gentlemen!

akg_ca I'm actually looking at a used Sugden Masterclass IA-4 on another site.

but also used Pass int-25 or int-60.

hdprentice great list for researching options, although features are not as much of a concern as I don't stream.

I've thought about trying tubes but many years ago I had a terrible experience at a dealer demo'ing B&W805s (Silver Anniversary Edition if memory serves) with Cary mono-blocks. What I recall was feeling that I didn't deserve to be punished like that! In fact, that demo convinced me to purchase the JAs unheard rather than the B&Ws which actually sounded quite nice at another dealer driven by Classe separates (circa mid 2000s equipment). 

But I agree that musicality and nuance is what I'm looking for, and that I already have that to a degree. But because I have no basis for comparison I don't know if my system has already gotten me most of the way there without spending uber-bucks.

That said I have looked at the Triode Corp TRV-A300 and the Fezz Audio Ceti because I'm curious about the famous 300b experience. Unfortunately not only these but most others I can't audition due to the lack of dealers near me.

soix I lust for the the new JA Perspectives even though I've never heard them, but even used they are beyond my reach. Because of lack of experience with other products/systems, I don't know what I'm missing as far as 'improvements and sound characteristics'. I suppose maybe just 'better' or more of the sound that I already have is what I'm looking for.

BTW used or new in the under $3500 range but might go to $5k if it really 'wows' me.

I would jump on used pulsars at that price but the lowest price I've seen is $5k. Were that the case I'd wait on a new amp having spent this allocation on the speaker upgrade!

I thought about hybrids and the best of both worlds scenario, even considered a heaven 11 billie just to see if like the sound but that is a class D output stage. Not that I have anything against class D its just that I've never heard one. I'm just trying to take things one step at a time by changing only one variable at a time.

I have the impression that my I5 mates well with the JAs because of the relatively high peak current the BJTs can deliver for such a modestly rated amp: per the manual 16A peak (which is ridiculous for an amp rated @70 Watt RMS into 8 ohms). I believe that is the 'secret sauce' where dynamic drivers are concerned. 

@jjss49 Do have any thoughts on the Pass int-25 vs the int-30?

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts. The suggestions to move up the JA line have always been on my mind and is something that I aspire to. Used JAs are fairly rare and I'm patient.

I should note that I'm not looking to replace the I5 but to try new amps in order to explore how the JAs sound with other amps. The I5/RM7 sig combo has been with me 20+ yrs, it's not going anywhere and is my point of reference (sure there are much better systems but also much worse).

Suggestions have been made to add a subs but I think  they might overpower my space and I don't really have good placement options for them anyway. More powerful amps have been suggested, but for my listening levels I don't feel that I really need more raw power. If that were the case, I'd probably move up the Sim Audio line because I do like that house sound.

The rational is that I rarely exceed 32 on the volume setting which is .1 dB steps from 0-37 and .5 dB steps from 38-51. And most of the time volume is set from 24 to 30. Given that the I5 is rated for 70W with Class A operation for the first 5W, I'm guessing that for those levels, the I5 is delivering somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 to 40 watts. Of Class A/B power. So what would 30W of pure Class A sound like? I'm dying to find out...

Lastly JA owners, are you out there?

Thanks all for your responses.

Multiple suggestions to add subs, what would be best for music? Ported/sealed? Down firing? Servo-drive? Placement might be challenging with space constraints.

Thanks Coltrane1 for the kind words on the thread question.

After much wrangling, almost pulling the trigger on subs, I found a very reasonably priced used Sugden IA-4, which brought me back to my original intention when I opened this thread. It's been in my system for a few weeks now. 

I must confess that I'm infatuated with this amp. My first impressions is that this amp is certainly a level up from my Sim Audio I5. The soundstage appears a little wider but more significantly, deeper, more 3d. The presentation seems richer, more saturated to use a color analogy. I was looking for was more detail, a more vibrant presentation at lower volume levels. The Sugden has given me that!

Will it be an end game amp for me? I can't say just yet. I would still like to audition other Class A integrateds, especially the INT-60. And I haven't discounted adding subs. In the meantime, I'm setting my system up so that I can A/B test the two amps.

Again, my thanks and regards to all who took the time to comment.

Cheers