Ditching Class A Amps due to Heat - Sort of a Poll

I do hesitate before leaving the house for more than a couple of minutes with the amp on. My amp is not near anything but even if a tube blows, I want to be able to shut down quickly. When the power goes on, I’m home for awhile. 

Years ago I had a nice Threshold T200 that claimed Class A but was a terrible match for MartinLoga SL3s so I sold it and kept looking, mostly AB stuff.

Then I picked up a W4S STI-1000 and for good or bad it seems to power my watt-hungry speakers superbly with zero noise and a good tonal balance, not fat.

And I put recently acquired used W4S SX-500 monos on the old SL3s (now in a movie room) and those 10" woofers never spoke so authoritatively.

If I had enough money I'd love to try a big Class A amp because my speakers shine better with more clean power. You'd need the money for electric as well if you leave the amps on. I noticed our power bill drop when the old McCormack DNA-1 was turned off and pulled out of one system.

I recent sold off my excellent Classe' Audio Omega Mono's that did Pure Class A to 30% rated power, at 200lbs per amp they were never more than warm no matter how i played them. They did take a few hours to fully warm. I decided to try Trinnov AMP 16 that allegedly is a perfect match for my Trinnov AL16. They were right, its glorious, stunning even. The dynamics and detail are amazing. NEVER did I think they were going to be this good. They are Class D, they do run hot, with bridging into my LR Wilson Sophia 1 at 4ohms have 1000 watts on hand. I do the same for my center channel. The AMP 16 as 2 120v plugs that need feeding. It was a win in every direction for me. Less power, better dynamics, excellent detail. 

I previously used Krell FPB 200 for awhile. The Krell was a tad bright, not good match with my speakers at the time either and yes then the heat. I went to tubes kept the heat lost the bright. For many years I used VTL amps and lived with the heat. Currently use a Jolida JD-1000A it does not get all that hot and I live in a cooler climate these days.

Have you done away with your Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

no

Will you be moving away from Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

no

Will you never buy a Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

no

I currently own Krell class A (FPBc series) and McIntosh class A/B amplifiers. They rarely are moved so but when they are it’s not too big a job for myself and either my wife or a buddy (got to protect the back, but will also say they have not moved in probably four years so I would not base an amp decision on moving them). My experience within my listening space there is no substitute to the class A sound. Liquid, fast attack, articulate, responsive. Our listening room is in the basement so don’t really feel the heat issues others discuss. My wife will occasionally mention the heat during the summer so when she does I turn off the Krells and power up the McIntosh. I like the sound of both our A and A/B amps - but for our speakers and room it’s the class A that take the best prize.  All that to say I’m intrigued with the advent of class D offerings - and would like to hear one. But like others - I’ve got an investment in what I have now and they all perform spectacularly.