2. amps-preamps
  3. 189641-177823

Cool running, low powered power amp

My regular amp is a Class A, all tube (KT 88’s) affair that runs very warm. For most of the year, it doesn’t matter. But in the dog days of summer, it can become unpleasant in my smallish listening room, where the AC doesn’t reach as well.

My speakers are Volti Razz, which are something like 97 db efficient. My big tube amp is out in California getting repaired, and at the moment, the Volti are enjoying time spent with a Scott 299A. Those 17 wpc are plenty (and sound way better than a 65 year-old amp with original tubes (or at least, tubes marked "H.H. Scott") should. Volti says it only needs to be 8 watts to do the job.

I was thinking of First Watt, or maybe Pass Labs XA 25. But both of those are also Class A. But maybe all Class A are not alike in terms of generating heat. I am not anti-class D, and have had two Class D amps that sounded good, but I’d be more interested in A/B, or cooler running Class A. I'd like to bring it in under $3000, and I am a big fan of used equipment.

Thanks,

David

 

dtorc
grinnell
1,075 posts
 

With those speakers I'd get something from Decware. My 4 watt Mini Torii doesn't put out much heat at all and nice and loud but not thundering with my 92db de Capos

wolf_garcia
6,617 posts
 

An XA-25 runs hot. Get a cheap little anything a/b or D to fill in, or spend a little on the AC.

yyzsantabarbara
4,512 posts
 

Since you have Class A already why not try something different.

The Benchmark AHB2 is a good choice for very efficient speakers because it is quieter than anything else you may have heard. Some say sterile in sound but I think it is a super clean and smooth sound. I traded my last AHB2 a few days ago and I know I will miss it since there are no other amps I have heard that can do what the AHB2 to can do.

If you want to stay with Class A and also want to save a lot and I mean a lot of money, consider the Schtt Aegir 2. I have the Aegir 1 which is all Class A and I use for my headphones since the 20 watts suffices for that. My prior version can be had for about $500.

I was too late to buy a used First Watt amp for the same use. That cost about $3k. I decided to try the Aegir since it was rumored to be about 80% of the FIrst Watt. It was more than good, and I am happy with it. The Aegir 2 is supposed to eliminate some tiny mechanical noise from the amp.

Benchmark has a 30-day home trial.

Schitt has a 15-day home trial. 

BTW - there is a person is the SF Bay Area selling a KRELL Duo 175XD for a tiny bit more than your max limit. I owned this Class A amp, it does NOT run hot, and it sounds great. Only a local sale though.

 

 

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