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Question about Class A

So I read all the time how awesome Class A Amps/Integrated's (SS and Tube) are.

I currently have a Vincent SV-500 Hybrid and feel it sounds really good.

But I have this itch now to hear what Class A would sound like and would it be a big difference to my current Vincent.

I wanted to ask what are some good Class A Integrated's that I could look into?

I know Pass Labs always comes up and for good reason but those might be a bit out of my budget.

I would say I can probably go to $3K new or used.

Sugden is another brand that I have researched a lot and the A21 retails for around $2500 and there is a dealer in Socal that carries it, so that one is tempting.

Vincent has the SV-237 MK II but I think that is only Class A for the 1st 10 watts into 8-ohms and I have 4-ohm speakers so I am not sure if that would give me any Class A magic. I am sure it would sound similar to my SV-500 but have more base extension.

Could you all recommend any other one's? I have been researching but haven't come across any (SS or Tube).

Thanks

128x128jay73

Showing 1 response by alexopth1512

alexopth1512
18 posts
 

Forget anything about marketing and of course Krell 175 doesn’t have 175 Watt Class A, even most of Pass Labs amps don’t. Normally you will have 20-30W Class A, producing a heat of more than 100-150W for that kind of power. I doubt there is a good cheap Pure Class A out there, because design, materials and heat dissipation will make it heavy and expensive.

There are some reasonably priced designs upto 10W but then you have to go with horns.

For speakers, if you choose SE (and for Class A IMHO only SE(T) has a meaning), not only they must be sensitive but also an "easy" load. Try to find a dealer that has such an amp and go and listen to it. You might not like it, or you may become enthusiastic about it (I am and cannot go back to anything else).

Regarding dynamics my Hydor 140W pure Class A rocks a house and its dynamics makes you jump from couch. But it is true, most of Pure Class A, due to low power and other compromises needed.

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