Firstly lets get this Class-A and AB thing sorted out.
Class-A: This is where the transistors that operate both the negative and positive going parts of the waveform are ALWAYS on. The reason why Class-A amplifiers get hot is because the transistors are always ON.
Class AB: is where the transistors are only on half of the time, they switch on and off, cycling between the two halves of the waveform. The good thing here is that the transistors are OFF half the time hence less heat.
The problem now is crossover distortion! This is where the 2 halves 'don't quite meet up properly'.
Stanwal - it has nothing to do with full power or AB varying with demand.
So the question to whether a larger VA rating can improve the audio is YES. This is partly because as the VA rating increases the transformer 'regulation' becomes more efficient. Also (and remember VA = Volt Amperes) as you increase VA your current 'tap' increases allowing your amplifier to draw more current when needed.
If you imagine - a standard desktop computer draws approx 25-35A for a few milli secs when asked to perform a BIG number crunch. - this is the equivalent of a large transient in music (kick drum, bass guitar pluck, timpany on drugs)
How much current does a preamp need????
Well, I'm not a Naim Audio lover BUT if you listen to any of there preamps with their smaller power supplies and go to a bigger power supply the improvement is BIG. This is the same for any amplifier design (A,AB,B etc).
Class-D (again not a fan) improves with larger VA transformer - just ask Hypex
Remember, to get the best from a larger VA rated transformer you must upgrade the rectifiers and filter caps accordingly or else it's bottleneck time.
Class-A: This is where the transistors that operate both the negative and positive going parts of the waveform are ALWAYS on. The reason why Class-A amplifiers get hot is because the transistors are always ON.
Class AB: is where the transistors are only on half of the time, they switch on and off, cycling between the two halves of the waveform. The good thing here is that the transistors are OFF half the time hence less heat.
The problem now is crossover distortion! This is where the 2 halves 'don't quite meet up properly'.
Stanwal - it has nothing to do with full power or AB varying with demand.
So the question to whether a larger VA rating can improve the audio is YES. This is partly because as the VA rating increases the transformer 'regulation' becomes more efficient. Also (and remember VA = Volt Amperes) as you increase VA your current 'tap' increases allowing your amplifier to draw more current when needed.
If you imagine - a standard desktop computer draws approx 25-35A for a few milli secs when asked to perform a BIG number crunch. - this is the equivalent of a large transient in music (kick drum, bass guitar pluck, timpany on drugs)
How much current does a preamp need????
Well, I'm not a Naim Audio lover BUT if you listen to any of there preamps with their smaller power supplies and go to a bigger power supply the improvement is BIG. This is the same for any amplifier design (A,AB,B etc).
Class-D (again not a fan) improves with larger VA transformer - just ask Hypex
Remember, to get the best from a larger VA rated transformer you must upgrade the rectifiers and filter caps accordingly or else it's bottleneck time.