Why do I like Class AB better than Class A?

Barfbag, I moved on to the Naim as the speakers I had were mostly warm and smooth sounding designs, hence the match between the speakers and Plinius is too much of a good thing. Music lacks excitement and boogie factor and sounds lethargic in dynamic passages. Something just didn't sound right.

Having said that, I am sure the Plinius is an excellent amp that will sound great with speakers that are leaner, more neutral, open or forward. It's all about system synergy.

Enjoy~

I will agree with Ryder on that one. I have frequently heard a Plinius SA250 MKIV and although the SA100 is not in the same league, there is a definite Plinius housesound.

But in my sense, and my preferences, choice of gear is highly dependable of type of music preferences. Soft jazz, feminine voices and small orchestra music will come out beautifully on class A amps because of their general richness in tonality. Music that produce fast transients and dynamic contrast will generally be better on faster amps and in this sense, class A and probably tube amps will fall second to an AB of good quality.

True class A in my opinion benefits heavily from true balanced circuitry as well. Single ended is fine, but most amps will perform better all out XLR, even A-B.

Class A is a little weaker in wattage 9 times out of 10 and with an extra 6 db of gain from a balanced connection it does perform much better.

Plinius has a balanced connection so if you can do it go full balanced and really hear benefits regardless if its A or A-B.

Actually, the Plinius is only fully balanced when it's bridged as a monoblock.