Class A\B or D for summer months (vs Class A)


I have a Pass XA25 with a XP20 pre-amp with Forte iV speakers.I bounce back & forth between streaming local content & vinyl. Noise floor is low, sound quality is good through the volume range - Classic rock, hard rock, blues rock... Typical late 70's through 90's mainstream bangers.

Last summer I did notice the XA25 amp and my central air were battling it out a little in the listening room. The amp had no issues and runs warm regardless of season. I guess I notice it more when I'm looking to stay cool vs stay warm.

 

I have a Benchmark LA4 preamp that I used prior to the Pass XP20. I'm sure there's good synergy between the Benchmark LA4 and Benchmark AHB2 amp so the AHB2 has been on my 'investigate further' list.

I'm a little worried that it might be too thin or sterile vs the XP25. The AHB2 would certainly help reduce the heat.

Anyone been down a similar path with thoughts to share?

 

tbac23

I hate to sound like a shill for Infigo, but they have a cool Class-A technology. Excellent sounding amplifiers and do not put out much heat.  

I went from class D to the Simaudio Moon 330A. Excellent amp, beautiful, a little more power than the ABH2, perfect footprint for my space (like the ABH2), runs cool, and if lightly used, within your price range. Paired it with the BHK pre. Perfect!

You can't beat.a class A for room heating during the winter!

@fatdaddy2 Here in Minnesota even a class A high powered triode amp has no dent on the room temperature...

I recently made a screened in porch into a family room and we installed a Mitsubishi heat pump where the compressor is still outside and the cassette with the blower and filter is in the room.  It’s kinda like a mini split, but separated into two sections.  Anyway, there is a fan setting that is amazingly quiet! Seeing as I hope to be in this home for a while, so I bucked up for the superheat feature, which mostly worked last week when we got down to 4°.

All the best.

I had a Benchmark DAC back in 2007. I found Benchmark to  be extremely clean and clear, but a bit sterile. Voices in real life never sounded as "clinical" as they did thru the Benchmark. So, the OP's concerns might be justified. I admired it, but it wouldn't be something I'd choose for listening to music, either.