2. amps-preamps
  3. 187035-96030

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
fastfreight
685 posts
 

Has anyone here heard the SoulNote integrateds, A2, A3?  They sounded nice at CAF.

dman777
19 posts
 

I have the Luxman 595 Class A amp. I also have Yamaha AS-3200 Class A/B with the Yamaha rn-2000a as pre amp. 

The sound traits (to me):

1) Luxman 595 - Has a powerful meaty sound. Sounds a bit stuffy. Not very holographic. Sounds excellent for Jazz and also colombian music, though. 

2) Yamaha set up - sounds open, not stuffy. Good at being holographic.  I like the sound stage more than the Luxman. Sometimes can be a little to strong in the highs. It's bass is diff. from the Luxman. More tight/refined but less full compared to the luxman. The luxman bass can make the Bookshelves sound like towers. But I still like the Yamaha's bass a lot. 

Overall, I listen to the Yamaha setup 90% of the time. I use the Luxman for just jazz and Colombian music for the remaining 10%. 

I feel like the heat generated on idle is close to the same between the Luxman and the Yamaha as-3200. With the Luxman being maybe a tad bit hotter but not much. 

wrm57
983 posts
 

As others have said, try the different topologies and settle on what suits you. It’s really the only path to satisfaction. I happen to consistently prefer class A, but I would never say it’s categorically better. 

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

I just put my Black Ice Audio 3502P tube amp in with EL34 tubes.  After listening with the McCormack DNA 0.5 solid state amp all summer, it sounded warmer but sluggish(?) especially with rock music.  Small Jazz ensembles, acoustic music and vocals sound fine.  

I'm going to try the Gold Lion KT88's in to see if they make much of a difference.  

I'm trying to determine if I need a higher powered integrated than most Class A amps provide.

 

erik_squires
15,861 posts
 

@dman777 - A lot of what you describe is what I hear with my 507ux.  I wonder how much of the character of our integrateds is in the preamp and not the amp section instead?

Also, speaking of bass extension, I highly recommend the Mogami quad speaker cables with the Luxmans.

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