2. misc-audio
  3. 185485-130690

Stupid class A question

I have a Sugden a21 integrated amp in my second system (my first class A) and I love the sound but I don't play it much in the summer due to the heat. Since it can be used as a preamp, if I get an amplifier, will the Sugden still produce as much heat if it's being used as a preamp? Thanks in advance.

bluorion
Post removed 
gs5556
1,218 posts
 

Most likely yes. Class A amps produce heat regardless if a signal is passing through and in many cases the current (and heat) at idle is greater than the full volume current going to the speakers.

bluorion OP
441 posts
 

@gs5556 Thank you so much!

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,396 posts
 

Yep.  

You have a true class A amp.  Any amp that claims to be class and and doesn't make a lot of heat is not class A.

mr_m
1,900 posts
 

A friend of mine had a Krell KSA-250 class A amp. It ran about as hot as any class A amp I have seen. After about 10 years it needed major repair from so many internal parts having severe heat damage. Althogh a lot of people would think that's a pretty long life for a class A amp.l

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