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  3. 162052-34747

suggestion for a SS class AB amp that sounds like a class A ... if such a thing exists

Looking for an amplifier below 2K for my Altec 620A (99 db efficiency). My actual amp is a Sugden A25B, which has 34 watts/chanel in class AB. Although quite musical, it lacks transparency and details. Of course, the best amplifier would be tube or class A but I'm trying to avoid these because of the heat and the electricity bill (my amp is on all day long). My short list include :

  • Audio by Van Alstine Set-120
  • Ayre AX 7e (used)
  • Sugden Mystro (class AB)
  • Benchmark AHB2 (used)

NOTE : please, no class D since I'm not familiar with it (and pretty skeptic too).
128x128alaindexe
alaindexe's avatar
alaindexe OP
75 posts
 
thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions ...

hilde45: I did a quick search on the Atoll because there's an IN 100 on canuckaudio for cheap ... it has been there for some time and the price has been falling steadily for a few months (which seems suspect) ... from what I've read, the build quality doesn't feel first class to me and I've also read some stuff about the sound that doesn't give me confidence in this product ...

twoleftears : the Belle Aria looks promising even if it's difficult to get infos about it from elsewhere than here ... Any idea about it's power consumption ? I'm looking for an amp but wouldn't mind an integrated if the price is OK...

helomech: the Benchmark is on my list - especially since I have a DAC from this brand and I'm very happy with it - but I probably won't be able to afford one ... also, I don't like having to use balanced inputs even though I know it's better ...

soix: I had thought of Unico but I dropped the idea because I no longer want to deal with tubes ... I had my share of tube amps in my youth but now I don't want to have to deal with it anymore ... also, my amp is on all the time and it doesn't make sense to wear out tubes in these conditions...



hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,824 posts
 
@alaindexe  I think the other brands mentioned here (Belles, Ayre, Benchmark) all sound great. Out of curiosity (in case I try to sell mine), what specifically about the build quality of the Atoll doesn't feel first class to you? I posted a photo of the Atoll on my system for you to take a look: https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/9064
alaindexe's avatar
alaindexe OP
75 posts
 
@hilde45 ... thx for the picture... the model I look for wasn't the same, it was the IN 100 so my comment may not apply to yours... in one article I read (I forgot which one) the reviewer explained that the chassis was made of pretty thin metal and that it bent when he was plugging the cable at the back... this is a problem I've had with my Hafler DH 101 and it usually isn't a good sign...
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,146 posts
 
Before changing amps you should rearrange your system for shorter cable lengths.  Your USB cable is at the max recommended distance for non-active USB.  Plus your 12 foot unbalanced interconnect from the Benchmark to the Sudgen is very long.  Your should also re-read Decooney's response.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Quad 405 and its later iterations: the 303 and 606! Truly innovative circuitry and excellent SQ! I have a 405 and it does sound like the proverbial "straight wire-with-gain"! Something the Benchmark amp has been compared to!
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