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Higher-End Class A/B vs. Class A Integrateds

I’ve been thinking about downsizing from separates to an integrated amp. I’ve noticed that some companies have both class A and class A/B amps that are both pretty expensive such as Luxman for example. Hegel seems to be well received and they’re not true class A as far as I know.

I was kind of under the impression that class A was better than class A/B due to lower distortion yet again, there are some well reviewed class A/B amps that are as pricey as some class A amps.

To be clear, it’s really not the price I’m concerned about. It’s the fact that some integrated amps $5000 and up are still only Class AB.

How do these higher priced class AB amps sound in comparison to true class A amps?

nicktheknife

Showing 1 response by aberyclark

aberyclark
1,355 posts
 

I have the Class A Luxman -595ase and I love it it. Paired with my ZU Omen Defs, the amp will run you out of the room with loud, super clear volume. I’ve never heard a home amp so clear at loud volumes..

 

One good thing about most higher quality integrateds is you can also add a different flavor power amp (tube, etc) thru the extra outputs while using the pre section of the integrated.

A while back, I passed up a great deal on a pair of Quicksilver horn mono tube amps. I was going to hook them thru the second outputs of the Luxman. I would just have to move the speaker cables from one amp to the other (or buy a high quality switcher).

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