Class A watts vs Class A/B watts

E550 is a marvelous all-in-1 amp/preamp/integrated amp.

It's a monstrous amp and one should never under estimate its 20wpc Pure class A. It can drive big/multi-driver speakers with NO PROBLEM as long your speakers don't dip below 4 ohm or less than 88db sensitivity.

GO-FOR-IT and YOU NEVER LOOK BACK. You will write and thank me for this.

I agree with Oakleys, I love Class A amps. There is a naturalness to them akin to tubes, though many Class A amps are tubed of course. I find class A/B solid state, largely unlistenable in the long term. There is a grain, grey tone to them, I can'nt live with. There are exceptions of course, the only one I can think of, was the Lavardin IT.

I use a Pathos Inpol now, a 50watt Class A, tube mosfet hybrid, I just love it. Compare it to the A/B equivelant in the line, the Logos, it is totally different. I could'nt use the Logos long term. If you are looking at Class A then the Inpol or smaller TT, Pathos amps, are worth a look

When I had Totem 1s, they made some amps sound weak and shut in. My friend uses a Bedini 25x25 class A 25wpc with them and it sounds great. You would be best served by auditioning the amps if at all possible.

I think it will be impossible to get an answer about the Accuphase with your speakers without trying it, there are just too many variables that could make 30watts problematic, or not, you have to try it in your room with the music you like at the volumes you need. Class A or not, 30 watts is awfully close to the limit of how low you can go in power with that speaker load and sensitivity. I have no doubt that Class A sounds better than A/B in SS IF you are getting enough power, and Class A SS watts cost alot of $$$. If you are underpowered, I suspect you will prefer what you might get from the MAC. Unfortunately, I would not trust anyone's opinion in trying to make this decision, you have to try it. Now, since you are obviously smitten with the idea of the Accuphase, I suspect you will have to buy it, try it, and if doesn't cut it, sell it back on AGON and hopefully get back you investment, assuming you bought it used to begin with. While it is true that in some sense watts are watts, that doesn't mean that all watts play the same, some amps are conservatively rated (Class A Pass amps for example)and does not account for dynamic power reserves for peaks -- you have to try it, but I suspect if you went with the Mac first you will always be thinking of the Accuphase, but not the other way around.

I too have a Bedini 25/25 and have used it with terrific results in driving a pair of Verity Fidelio Encores. I second/third/whatever the recs for auditioning the amps.