Pass....Accuphase....or......

Hi Audiogoners!

I need a new power amp to my Verity Audio Parsifal Ovation (18 watts minimum recommended input power / 8 ohm).

Have a Mark Levinson No.532 that keeps broking down and it's getting too expensive to fix in Europe.

Music: Classical/symphonic and jazz.

Room: 13 x 26

Preamp: Auralic DAC/Pre (but this can change....)

Ideas so far:

Pass Labs XA-25 (hype or really good and powerful enough?)

Accuphase A-48 (too polite?)

If you have a minute....I need ideas in that price range...+/- $$. Thanks!

southofdallas01-19-2025 4:12pm

lalitk Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,632 posts 01-19-2025 at 11:37pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Accuphase built to very high standards…they don’t breakdown easily. Consider their latest A48S, which has more than enough power to drive your speakers. As @tomcy6 pointed out…low distortion, tube like harmonics that Pass Labs and Luxman simply cannot match. I choose Accuphase over T+A, Dartzeel, Pass and Luxman to pair with my Canterbury’s.
lalitk Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,632 posts 02-04-2025 at 06:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete “How much class-A power does the A-48 deliver before drifting into AB” @southofdallas This is why it is crucial to properly match an amp to your speakers and vice-versa. If your speakers dip well below 8 ohms in certain frequency ranges, the P-4600 might be a better choice since it’s designed to handle lower impedances more efficiently while still maintaining excellent sonic While the A48s is designed as a Class A amplifier under an 8-ohm resistive load, real-world speakers present a much more complex and dynamic impedance profile. As the impedance dips below 8 ohms, especially with reactive loads from crossovers, voice coils, and cabinet resonances. the amplifier is forced to supply significantly more current.