2. amps-preamps
  3. 189617-2995

Need a modern Class A monoblock, preferably half or compact chassis

Anyone here know anyone that might know if something like this may be available before year end. I am currently ampless, beginning to suffer withdrawls…wishing for Pass Labs to release an XA30.8 like powered amp, split into 2/3 scale monoblocks with xs or xa or ?? designator with Balanced Input.

XA60.8 is the logical choice if nothing shows up this year, but until I pull the trigger, alien monoblocks could distract me, for instance Valvet A4.5, from getting what I truly desire.  

The current XA30.8 is the dream split into a modern Pass Labs monoblock.

FW is too focused and limiting to consider.

Anyone know of this possibility on the horizion for an XA30.88

sayas

Showing 2 responses by photon46

photon46
1,092 posts
 

Another possibility could be ModWright's new KW99 mono amps. They are rated @ 100w/8ohms - 200w/4ohms and are heavily biased into class A. I bought a pair 6 months ago and am very pleased with them. They work exceptionally well driving my Tidal Piano Cera speakers and were good with my KEF R7 Metas in another system. Like all amps, they display better synergy with some speakers than others. They work well with all of the four preamps I have. They are fully competitive with the PS Audio M1200 and Luxman m700u amps I also own but have that class A sound that distinguishes them from the others. Michael Lavorgna's "Twittering Machines" website has the only professional review posted I'm aware of.  

photon46
1,092 posts
 

Dan @ ModWright said around 25 watts for class A as I recall. In my system, I find them to be a class A type sound rather than A/B. Dan feels the Exicon transistors lend a different sound signature than one might expect. I'd agree. It's always risky expecting what one hears in your system to translate to another though. I bought mine from TMR Audio so I'd have the option to return with our penalty if they didn't meet my expectations. They have transformer coupled inputs and are very sensitive to changes in interconnects. I had to try several to get them to sound the way I'd hoped and settles on LessLoss xlrs. 

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