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

Schiit Audio makes a class A'ish small form factor amp. You could even get two and run them in mono as well. i've owned one and was plesently surprised how good it was for $800. You see them used as well from time to time. 

Just a thought, but for $200 or $300 you could get well-reviewed Fosi or Aiyima amps that would let you listen to music immediately. Then you could take your time finding your ultimate solution. And when you do, you can easily resell the cheap amps and get a fair percentage of your purchase price back, or just throw them in the closet as an emergency back-up. 

@atmasphere,

Thanks, clear enough…

Any idea what happened there?

@antigrunge2 Sure- its the result of a vendetta. Take a look: https://www.audioasylum.com/forums/critics/messages/9/99823.html

With established, respectable reviewers you get something different (scroll down for the reviews).  IMO any serious audiophile should avoid 10Audio if they don't want to waste their time; this has been true the last 25 years.

Wesminister.

Or take a look at these half-width monoblocks heavily biased into Class A.

https://www.modwright.com/products/kwa-99-monoblocks/#:~:text=KWA%2099%20Monoblock%20Amplifiers.%20I%20saw%20demand%20for%20a%20100W

Hmmm: https://10audio.com/atma-sphere_class-d/

Any idea what happened there?

AGD Audion monos amps have replaced my NAT 211 se2se amps which were stellar amps and resided in my system for years. My tubed preamp is a Supratek Chardonnay and I am driving Soundlabs Ultimate II  speakers which are a beast to drive. The AGD Audion amps produce little to "No Heat" which allows me to listen much longer. I worry less about tube wear and tube failures  now. I am enjoying my system with longer hours and no maintenance worries. Also they are now easily upgradeable to mkIII status being user serviceable too.  I haven't upgraded to mkIII status yet but will in the future. The AGD Audion amps are definitely "my end game" amps for now and are musically satisfying. Who ever is on the fence you owe it to yourself to seriously audition AGD products.Thanks, Alberto for such a stellar product which definitely exceeds my lofty expectations. 

Well scratched the itch... XA60.8 monoblock

compared to the XA30.8 more of everything

especially finesse and dynamics

finesse with more separation of detail and hearing further into the recordings.. even poor flat recordings have more to offer which leads me to are there bad recordings or simply gear unable to dig it out.

dynamics are easily a step up from the already excellent XA30.8

IMO the XA60.8 press scattered about the internet is real.

atmasphere, name or show me a link for three to consider, I am not against the technology but so far none really seem worthy to pursue.  I did contact one mfg. recently on their brand new product... no response

@sayas If you want something that has the best of what class A has to offer I can think of three just off the top of my head

AGD

Orchard Audio

And ours (as if you didn't expect that).

GaNFETs have been around well over ten years at this point.

Finally, were I to make a change to D it would make sense to have speakers that were developed with the technology...

I run my class D amps on horn speakers made by Classic Audio Loudspeakers. They are intended for low power class A tube amps but work fine with the class Ds. I don't think you need to have a speaker as you describe; if it works with a class A amp it will work with class D too.

h45 I like your thinking, though I am not that guy, I appreciate the effort!

rate and describe your experience

As most here know, the "synergy" of a system is important. Ok, well what does "synergy" come to, in practical, experience-able terms? That requires some "taste-testing."

The more sonic combinations I sample, the more refined my discrimination gets. Having different amps and preamps allows me to produce different combinations which sound bad or good — and which I cannot discover with only one preamp-amp-speaker pairing. Sonic description is somewhat tricky, so let me go to food.

There’s a delicious combination one finds in cobbler — buttery, sweet, crunchy. That flavor experience is unique and not something one finds in, say, creme brûlée — which is smooth, creamy, milky. Both of these also differ from, say, fruit cocktail — citric, fibrous, watery, crunchy.

The point of these food analogies is that the ingredients' "synergy" in each 'good' experience is different. Unless one tries very different synergies, one cannot know the variety of good experiences out there. Same with preamp-amp-speakers.

The other main service that multiple combinations provide is to point out the limitations of my speakers. If I am seeking a certain kind of sound and I’m not getting it with any combination, then it’s the speaker’s fault. (I’ve tried to dial in my room and subs as much as possible.)

h45 I like your thinking, though I am not that guy, I appreciate the effort!

rate and describe your experience

I have four amps:

Class A Pass XA25

Class A/B Akitika amp kit build

Class D DIY Hypex based amp (a loaner)

Tube monoblocks Quicksilver mono 60's.

It is a LOT of fun switching between amps. It's not ambivalence, it's variety. Add in changes to preamps (tube and SS) and there are a lot of combinations to try.

I have not heard the Atmasphere and AGD GAN amps but have owned 3 other GAN amps that I liked a lot. Only issue for me was the limited power on the 2 amps I owned. My speakers are not easy to drive. The third amp, the PeachTree GAN400, had enough power but it was a good amp for the price, not great (used $1000). The other GAN amps I had were modded and were very good.

However, the Class A amps I have had were better in power and sometimes sonics. The ugly looking KRELL DUO XD lineup, the latest CODA amps, and even my Schitt Aegir. The KRELL is very similar to the Westminster that was mentioned earlier. Other than the Aegir the Class A amps I have owned were not that hot to the touch.

You should read reviews of some of the newer GaN amps if you haven’t already and specifically Atmasphere and AGD for your price range.  Many people have let go of their prized Class A or A/B and even tube amps for these and several have termed them “end-game” amps.  If there’s a trial period for the Atmasphere GaN or AGD Tempo di GaN amp I think it’d be well worth your time/energy to do so, and I believe both are upgradable so as new/improved amp modules are developed you have that nice option if desired.  Again, read the reviews — these are not your father’s Class D amps so try to keep an open mind.  FWIW, and best of luck.

I am familiar with Class A, the sound fits my ear.  I like the reliability of SS and haven't heard a D amp to pique my interest.  

atmasphere, name or show me a link for three to consider, I am not against the technology but so far none really seem worthy to pursue.  I did contact one mfg. recently on their brand new product... no response

I don't have access to a local audio shop so I am reliant upon reviews, reading between their lines, or excited owners stating this is the best ever amp ever, but mainly the major audio show best rooms generally do not include Class D in their set ups.

Finally, were I to make a change to D it would make sense to have speakers that were developed with the technology... until someone demonstrates superiority, it is too early to begin consuming GaaN chips in metal containers.

@sayas Why do you want class A? If its for sound quality, there are class D amps now that are every bit the equal of class A.

XA60.8 or X260.8 with 34w of Class A. Sell them when something equivalent half the footprint comes out (never). 

This is my first post here but I have read many discussions and bought/sold here and on USAM for years.  I've read several of these monoblock amplifier threads and have yet to see the Kinki Studio EX-B7's mentioned.  I know they are not Class A, as the OP asked for, but they are a roughly half-width form factor and are Srajen at 6moons reference amps so I figure they must be really good.  I have never heard the B7 monos, but own the stereo Kinki Studio EX-M7 and find it to be a very musical and neutral sounding amp without any obvious flaws.  I am considering an upgrade to the B7 monos hoping to get a more "relaxed" sound.  If anyone has any experience with the B7's, I would love to hear your thoughts/impressions.  FYI, based only on a review I read, the Valvet A4's mentioned above seem like a great fit for my tastes/system, but my budget won't stretch that far!

FYI, the rest of my system consists of the following (most of which was purchased used):  W4S STP-SE Preamp, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, Auralic Aries G1 Streamer, Acora SRC-1 speakers, dual Vandersteen subs, and mostly TWL cables.

Hopefully I'm not breaking any forum rules with this post!  If so, please let me know.

See Vera-fi Audio LLC 40w pure class A $1599

"The heart of the amplifier is a 40W true Class A amp (never operates outside of Class A) designed by Hugh Dean. based on the Alpha Nirvana amp topology, which provides a beautiful harmonic profile, clean and clear sound with low distortion, slamming bass from low negative feedback circuit, and a background that is absolutely quiet and noise free for the blackest of black notes.  Most of all though, the Alpha Nirvana topology makes your toes want to tap, and your heart race,..."

seems steep for a 17 year old design that may need capacitors and ???

They were built in 2021 so only a few years old.  BTW the price is in Canadian $ and would equate to about $7200 USD and is probably negotiable.  Doesn’t have a standby switch, but does Pass?  FWIW.

The Clayton are of interest except for their age and lack of a stand by switch and then there is the price, seems steep for a 17 year old design that may need capacitors and ???

Still hoping for Pass to release XA30.8leph monoblock

These incredible amps are well worth a look if seller will sell in the US…

https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/650100222-clayton-audio-m200-custom-class-a-monoblock-amps-simple-elegance-massive-class-a-current/

who has experience with Valvet A4 monoblocks?

I like the compact format vs Westminster REI stratosphere.

while you weigh your Class-A options, get yourself a pair of these to hold you over... https://www.buckeyeamp.com/shop/amplifiers/purifi/1et7040sa/monoblock

I have their 3channel 400A Purifi and a pair of these 704 Purifi monoblocks.... price to performance ratio is hard to believe once you hear them (or "don’t hear them") I feed them from a BAT/Balanced Audio Technology preamp via XLR and the auto-turn-on feature is a bonus.

Have you considered AVA?

https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers

Modern... class A? You can get a great pair of Monarchy 100SEs to tied you over

So much heat? Why not A/B? Like a Jeff Rowland. 

Check out 

Some options:

Sugden A21 SE Signature. Standard rack width, height about 4 in. Depth about 12 in (as with any class A, you will need air around it. Integrated.

Musical Fidelity A1 (new version) rack width, height 3 in. Integrated.

Schiit Audio Aegir 2: 30W @ 8R stereo, 100W @ 8R mono. Needs a preamp (which they also make several). Compact, 9x13x3 7/8"

What about 2 Benchmark amps? No heat, 1/2 size, Lots of power with Class A like sound.

VAC makes a pair of smaller mono amps now. 85 WPC   http://www.vac-amps.com/productPages/ESSENCE80iQ.html

Just get a pair of 60.8s. Pass is highly unlikely to release a smaller form factor amplifier. It would require retooling the metalwork for just one model that would probably have limited appeal anyway and the tooling cost would have to be reflected in the price as well.

@carlsbad2 I would never be ampless. I have 4 amps sitting here waiting to sell and oe on order. buy something used that you can listen to and resell whenever you feel like it wtih minimal loss.

You just made me feel better about having other nice amps sitting here.

Have no reason to sell or buy another, all is great, yet might do it anyhow, LOL!

soix, agreed, the Valvet seem valid, reminding me of Alephs or British Fidelity A1, sweet sounds no doubt.  I like the idea of silver wiring that may help speed up the amp... without hearing Valvet it is an obvious crapshoot to my bias.

Maybe best to ask Pass Labs directly, but in the meantime it’s likely best not to spend much energy in pining for an imaginary product.

Erik, loved riding motorcycles on tracks like Barber, Miller and ThunderHIll, no licence necessary.

True, I want something that isn't available, but after having Alephs and an .8 it is tough to accept less involved experience.  When you consider the progress of PL, few other manufacturers match their universe.

FWIW I currenlty own more than 82 days of curated music that plays first thing each morning through a Yamaha 4000.  In my world, maximizing life is about best choices and getting to the marrow.

Still like the idea of an one box XA30.8M

I'm thinking of my friend who spent years trying to decide what motorcycle to get, without ever even getting his license.  He ended up getting married and never ever getting on the road. 

This sounds kind of like that, only you seem to be pining for something that doesn't even exist yet.  I can think of a dozen brands that are a lot better than no music at all.

If you really want monoblock amps I highly doubt you’d be unhappy with the Valvets.  Choices, choices.

a looming possibility

I would never be ampless.  I have 4 amps sitting here waiting to sell and oe on order.  buy something used that you can listen to and resell whenever you feel like it wtih minimal loss.

Jerry