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Higher-End Class A/B vs. Class A Integrateds

I’ve been thinking about downsizing from separates to an integrated amp. I’ve noticed that some companies have both class A and class A/B amps that are both pretty expensive such as Luxman for example. Hegel seems to be well received and they’re not true class A as far as I know.

I was kind of under the impression that class A was better than class A/B due to lower distortion yet again, there are some well reviewed class A/B amps that are as pricey as some class A amps.

To be clear, it’s really not the price I’m concerned about. It’s the fact that some integrated amps $5000 and up are still only Class AB.

How do these higher priced class AB amps sound in comparison to true class A amps?

nicktheknife
piebaldpython
37 posts
 

If you are near a Pass Labs dealer you could always compare a class A/B directly to Class A. Pass Labs drop out of pure A at their rated output to A/B and keep going producing more power. You would have a chance to see say what an X line can do, what an XA/Int can do in class A then up the power requirements to get everything into A/B. 

If they have another high biased A amp available then you have more to directly compare to.

larsman's avatar
larsman
1,753 posts
 

I've got an MSB S-200 integrated amp; their design has, per the manual, "pure class A stage to increase the voltage signal, and class A-B stage with no voltage gain to increase the current supplied.". This amp was in the $10,000 range when it was new (I bought a demo), and it sounds awesome; the only part of my hi-fi system I've had no interest in upgrading over the past 10 years. 

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

I appreciate the replies. I have heard a friend’s Class A PBN amp (not integrated). I liked the sound I heard but yes, it would nice to do a direct comparison..

I don’t know how much power it puts out in Class A and I asked him and he doesn’t know.

It’s a huge, heavy amp with a single meter that I think indicates current not db’s.

He has money and just buys stuff. LOL!

I’m looking to spend no more than $5000 preferably used.

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