Ditching Class A Amps due to Heat - Sort of a Poll


A discussion elsewhere about the future of Class A made me wonder how true one statement really is. So the questions are...

Have you done away with your Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

Will you be moving away from Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

Will you never buy a Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

I only have a class A/B unit that does Class A up to 6 watts with almost no heat so really can't speak for those who have used in the past or currently own and run Class A Amps.

brianh61

Has anyone successfully used class D amps with 16 ohm rated speakers?

I've tried a few versions of the cheap Sonic Impact amps as well as the Sharp SD-EX111 mini system with such and the sound of the mid's on up is odd/wrong.

Both were fine with 8 ohm rated wide band single drivers I use, as well as with a conventional  2-way 8 ohm speaker.

I balked at purchasing a recently discounted/cheap Class D integrated amp with "room correction" capabilitys because of this, but also because of the software/hardware required to use the "RC".

Anyone else use Class D to run 16 ohm speakers?

 

DeKay

 

 

Luxman 590AXII.  Replaced a tube preamp/cllass AB amp setup. Dissipates 400w continuous, which is welcome this time of the year, as I get up about 4 hours before my wife, and the house heater doesn't go on until she's up.  Room is nice and cozy.  Summers are mitigated by an efficient ceiling fan.

I own the Ayon Spirit V PA, which is a Class A amplifier and it does NOT run hot.  My Rogue Stereo Super Magnum 90 which is Class A/B ran WAY hotter that the Ayon.  I think the Ayon is one amazing sounding amplifier!

For 2-ch system, I use NcoreMP, 6 channels (LXmini + subs) use 0.8 A (120VAC = 96W) including power to N130 - everything runs cold.

For HT system, the Denon X6400H (class A/B) runs so hot, I added a cooling fan, which is very noisy when it turns on, and is distracting while watching movies.

Having that experience, I avoid gear that needs cooling and/or is very inefficient for myself. I also wouldn't let heat prevent me from chosing gear that is worth the compromise - if I thought it was worth it.

@dekay I use an Atma-Sphere Class D amplifier to drive Quad ESL 57s (15-ohm nominal) with no issues.