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Pure class A amplifiers = "slow" amplifiers?

Hi folks, I know this is subject of controversy. In general pure class A has been regarded as the best way in solid state amplification to get the purest sound. In my experience many pure class A solid state amplifiers (Accuphase, Pass Labs, Plinius) sound "slow" and are lacking "dynamics". Do they sound that way because they have less distortion than class A/B amplifiers, I mean sometimes a signal is so pure that one is increasing the volume adjustment knob to get a louder sound. With a very pure sound it seems like music goes slower too (= psychoacoustic phenomenon).

Chris
dazzdax
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
G, you are an organic based lifeform right? Not cybernetic! Maybe your from KAPAX...anyway, I'll check out the sight.

Cheers,
Dave
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Apologies Dave, I have no information on 'KAPAX' either.
unsound
7,337 posts
 
FWIW, IMHO, in my experience, pure Class A amps TEND to be less forward than Class AB amps. Perhaps to some that might be percieved as "Pure class A amplifiers="slow"amplifiers". I have met a very few individuals who profess a preference for Class AB over class A amplifiers. On the other hand, I have met many who profess a preference for Class A over Class AB amplifiers. I prefer high powered Class A amplifiers. My budget constraints have led me to high powered (as determined by speakers, rooom, etc..), high biased Class A/AB amplifiers.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Unsound, Krel are Class A SS amp. . . how would you characterize them? Aren't they caracterized to be relatively forward sounding? G.
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
The bug-a-boo about A/B amps is crossover distortion where, as the waveform crosses zero and changes polarity, one output transistor turns off and the other turns on. The very first transistor power amps caused distortion of the waveform as this happened. It was largely responsible for their poor sound quality. Once this effect was recognized designers have taken pains to minimize crossover distortion. Not all A/B amps are created equal. Good ones exhibit little or no crossover distortion, although they may have other problems, most of which could affect class A amps also. However, crossover distortion is easy to understand, and is often cited in criticisms of A/B amps.
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