Pure Class-A Amp under $2000 (USED)


Hello everyone,

There are so many brands out there that I couldn't catch up with, so I opened a thread about Class-A Amp for discussion. My budget is around $2000 for a Stereo Amplifier (No need for Pre), could you guys help me to suggest me some?

- DAC: Exogal Comet

- Pre/Amp: Yamaha Intergrated A-9 (My current, but want to update)

- Speaker: Sonus Faber Venere 2.0

- Cable: Acrolink (Power, Interconnect, Speaker)

=> I think the wattage range between 30-60WPC for Class-A is powerful and popular. The production date of amplifier should not too old, I think after 199x is nice.

128x128darkknight8586

The Sonus Faber would like power, especially if you play loud.  Most Class A amps are small 30 W or less.  I had a Schitt.  Sounded good but not enough grunt.  You need an amp with some weight, a big transformer, etc.

There are several AB amps that would sound quite nice. Parasound, Anthem, etc.  Look on here or other places you will be set.  

PS.  I personally will always own a class A amp but high efficiency speakers make it easier.

 

 

If you’re fortunate to find a used Clayton Audio S50 while your radar is up I’d say consider yourself hugely lucky and that you jump on it ASAP.  50 and 100Wpc of sweet-sounding and pure Class-A power into 8 and 4Ohms, respectively.  Read the reviews of Clayton amps and I think you’ll find them quite special too.  Best of luck in your search!

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649787192-clayton-audio-s50-class-a-amplifier/

-50 on the Schitt Aegir

I had a pair and they couldn't handle the LSA Statement 10 which is a 83db 10ohm bookshelf nor a pair of Fyne F501 which is 90db 8ohm. Both amps would shut off at any music past 88db volume. Both speakers worked perfectly on my Sony surround receiver at volumes well past 88db. 

Per Stereophiles measurements and ASRs' (49w @1% THD and 23w @.5% THD) Schiit severely lied on their published specs for mono rating. When confronted with the above publications and when I requested my money back, I got no response.

Here's the tests 

 

 

30years ago I owned a Threshold 400A. For 30 years now I kick myself for letting it go. They come up now and again here and elsewhere, recapped and tested within your budget. Loved that amp.