Best sounding low power (under 80watts) Class AB amp?

Motif MS50, early B&K ST140, Bryson 2BLP, Acurus A80, Spectral DMA50, PS Audio 2C+, Hafler DH120, Robertson 4010, Quad 303 & 306, GAS Son of Ampzilla, McCormack Micro Power Amp, Linn LK85, Classe 70, Superphon SA-120, Musical Design D75, Metaxas Ikaras, Metaxas Iraklis, Meridian 555 

 Benchmark AHB2. Reputed to be the quietest amp on the market. Around $3000 used.

Always liked the audiosource amps when I had them, pretty reliable, even when driven hard.

May get flak from this, but they were nice amps at a great price point.

50w up to I think 150-200wpc

nice little amps

always did me well

or find a used one of other brand check the Gon

Adcom 6002 is a nice low power amp with great headroom  

still wish they made their preamp-one. Great preamp, still have one wrapped in storage in basement somewhere.

You might like the Konus Audio Integrale (integrated amp) or Robusto (stereo or mono power amp). Fast, natural, alive.

Here are a few professional reviews:

What’s the budget? 
 

LTA has fancy pants tube amps that weigh next to nothing for 4K+ and are supposed to sound excellent. I can’t see the value there but I don’t know what goes into it but they are pretty much universally praised. 

This is very difficult as you are looking for low weight in a class where transformers tend to still be relatively hefty.  And…what sounds “good” to you.  Do you like a more liquid, musical sound like Luxman or do you prefer a more clinical and accurate sound like Hegel?  
 

Chord comes to mind if you like a more accurate sound.  The TToby and etude are good sounding amps.  I think they are class G technically.  For a more liquid sound, I know this is class D but not your Class D of 10 years ago, check out the AGD Audions.  You can easily mistake these tiny little amps for MOSFET based ABs.  
 

Full disclosure, I am a dealer for both brands but am struggling to think of any items that meet these requirements.  I think Valvet is class A.  Sugden is class A.  CANOR, NAD, Benchmark, etc… are all Class D.  This is a tough request

Ayre Acoustics AX-7E, hands down great amplifier.

Ahh sorry missed the class ab bit of your post. 

How about a Schiit Vidar? At 100 watts/ch, it is a shade more powerful than your 80 watt spec, but definitely class AB and 22 lbs and a fairly small footprint.  (In my case, I have their class A Aegir which is much lower power, but all of their amps have excellent sound quality.)

+2 On the Schiit Vidar 2 amp

Mike

https://www.schiit.com/products/vidar2

I am enjoying Quad 405 amp - has pretty and engaging sound.

Although its an old design, it is an affordable classic British offering...A little over at 100 watts per ch advertised - as you know, this depends on who is doing the measuring and how it is done, so this probably is better than 303 amp - and they offer even more powerful one. 

Its also smaller than most amps. 

Their pre amp is good too - most people match them together - better than adcom, B&K, and other ones at the price point.

Naim Supernait 3 gets relentlessly high praise, 80wpc, small normal

size and weight, but comes with Naim’s quirks. 

Van Alstine Vision SET 120

25lbs

 

Great suggestions. Would love to find a Motif MS50 been looking for one for years. A Quad 405 is fun idea too but def need to recap/refresh. I have to look at some older Ayre Acoustics stuff, nice. Schiit Vidar maybe... Spectral DMA50? nice but schematics and support? I respect what Van Alstine does but his build/aesthetic doesn't appeal to me. The reason for staying below 80watts is I don't have the need for more power. I own a Pass Aleph 3 and @30/8ohms 60/4ohms its plenty of power for my speakers.  All great ideas/suggestions audio friends!

Yeah, the Vidar is out. I know it's high value and a fine amp but I can’t bring myself to buy a product that doesn’t have chassis mounted RCAs. Just can’t do it. It the audio line in the sand for me.

I'll second the AGD Audion....pricey but smooooooooth. I stayed in that room at Florida Hi Fi Expo last year for almost an hour. A less expensive alternate at $2500 is the Peachtree GaN 400....Smooth as tubes with great soundstage and not a hint of hardness. I am not a fan of their pre/dac but that amp is like the LRS+ of Ganfet amps. Also extremely light in weight. You can try it....don't like it send it back. Can't Loose.

@hi2alex2 Wrote:

Yeah, the Vidar is out. I know it's high value and a fine amp but I can’t bring myself to buy a product that doesn’t have chassis mounted RCAs. Just can’t do it. It the audio line in the sand for me.

The Vidar 2 amp has two chassis mounted RCAs one right and one left.

See below:

Mike

https://www.schiit.com/products/vidar2

@hi2alex2 -- what are you talking about? The Vidar has left and right RCA line inputs -- the same as my Aegir which I'm listening to right now.  The only reason there is also a XLR input is if you wish to use the amp in mono mode for higher power output, and then you'd need two Vidars for stereo operation. 

Simaudio 330A. 

Topping LA90 is what I am using now. I picked this with the same criteria as you are looking for. Low weight, Class A/B under 80 watts, runs only slightly warm. It has beat out the Benchmark AHB2 as the lowest Sinad measurements. I've sold off the heavy and hot Pass Labs X250.5, Classe Monos and have my 150 pound Enlightened Audio Designs PM 2000 for sale. It can be used as a three input integrated, high/low bias and also mono. I have tried it in mono and I didn't hear any reason to go that route so, the value proposition is high for this amp. 

@mlsstl @ditusa  I could be mistaken but what I see is chassis mounted 'binding posts' not RCAs. The RCAs on the Aegir/Aegir look to be circuit board mounted in plastic cups which are screwed/supported by the chassis. It's not the same.

@rrboogie You replaced your X250.5 with a Topping LA90? Are you an EE by chance?

@mlsstl @ditusa so we’re on the same page here is an example of my understanding of a chassis mounted RCA.

@mlsstl @ditusa

Here is example of a 'non-chassis mounted RCA' on this Hegel similar to what I see on the Aegir/Aegir

+3 AGD

The new stereo Tempo is almost the same as the upper line Audions for a bit over $5K. The cream of GaN amps. And light weight. Shouldn’t discount all Class D.

Just looked at my Aegir and the RCA inputs seem very solid to me. Not sure what your problem is with this unless you plan on plugging/unplugging the amp dozens of times a day.  Or bashing the back of the amp, in which case the speaker connections of just about any amp are far more at risk than the RCA inputs.

But, we all have our own quirks. Hope you find something that works.

If Integrated are ok you also have the Schiit Ragnarok and Moonriver Audio.

@mlsstl Yes the Aegir is a very solid and excellent amp regardless. Thank you for your suggestions!

I would look into Naim

Benchmark AHB2. Reputed to be the quietest amp on the market. Around $3000 used.

second this, have been using one for over a year. I like my 300B amp better but the best solid state I've had, and I've had a bunch

They just went from $3000 to $3300 direct from Benchmark. More like $2300-2500 used. 

Interesting to see mention of the Robertson 4010 - I thought everyone would have forgotten about them long ago. I still use one in my 4th system and it is indeed a sweet sounding amp (it replaced another very decent amp, a Bryston 2B, which was designed more as a commercial rack unit) but also sounds very nice in comparison to the competition.

@herman What speakers are you using with your 300B? I have Klipsch Forte 4 and having doubts that 300B would be loud enough. Thanks

dweller

3,454 posts

01-13-2023 at 10:17am 

@herman What speakers are you using with your 300B? I have Klipsch Forte 4 and having doubts that 300B would be loud enough. Thanks

you can click my name and see my system

@hi2alex2 

Have you measured how loud you normally listen? What makes you think you need 80 watts? What kind of music do you normally listen to and at what volume level?

I humbly recommend you download an app something like Decibel X PRO so you can use the built in microphone on your phone to see what SPLs you are typically running. You might be surprised at how little power you're actually using...

+1, Ayre AX-7E Integrated Amplifier.  This is an outstanding sounding integrated amp.  There are 2 for sale on Audiogon. 

The Ayre are an excellent choice.  You may not like any Class D.  Some are in this thread.  I know you asked for AB but I have the XA25 Pass Labs sounds great.  It gets warm but I can lay my hand on it.  Sometimes,  I  leave iy on for several days and havent not any change in my electric bill.  Superb sound, single ended only.  

What about an Odyssey Khartago Extreme?  Over 80 watts per channel, but not a monster.  Naim also came to mind along with Ayre.

@herman Wow! Nifty! Ever take SPL readings (with the 300B amp)?

I also suggest you look at the Musical Fidelity M5si integrated amp rated at 150wpc. Its weight is 32 pounds and it has outstanding sound quality.  Priced at $2,199.  

See link for Musical Fidelity Amplifier

"The M5si is a real high end amplifier. At 150wpc, with high current delivery, it will drive virtually any loudspeaker easily.  Internally the M5si is configured as two independent monoblocs with a separate preamp, but all mounted on one pcb. Its technical performance is about equal to the M6Si".

@herman Wow! Nifty! Ever take SPL readings (with the 300B amp)?

no, it can go louder than I would ever play it so all good there

Have you measured how loud you normally listen? What makes you think you need 80 watts? What kind of music do you normally listen to and at what volume level?

I humbly recommend you download an app something like Decibel X PRO so you can use the built in microphone on your phone to see what SPLs you are typically running. You might be surprised at how little power you're actually using...

agreed, but average listening level is only part of the story. Peaks can be much greater and that's when many speakers can use the extra headroom

From my own experience, my recommendation is a Luxman M117 integrated. It’s a classic now, but can be serviced/renewed if required.

+1 Naim Audio Supernait 3. Rated at 80 watts per channel. The Supernait 3 is endowed with a hefty power supply. Amazingly, this transformer can draw as much as 400 VA from the mains, which is the same as approximately 400 watts.

+4 AGD 

+3 Benchmark AHB2.

Fabulous sounding amp and quite lightweight.