Class A and B differences?

Big,

First of all, I'd suggest that you consider the source for the class "A" or class "B" rating. These are just as you state, "reviewer ratings". Just trust your ears.

Secondly, some people prefer the "classic" sounding devices to the newer designs. Maybe that is a factor here.

I can tell you from my own personal experience that an audio component doesn't necessarily live up to it's price tag. For example, I've owned a Krell FPB600 ($12.5K) and a Plinius SA-250 MK IV ($8.5K) and yes, they sound quite different in my system. Both sound very good in there own respect. But, my preference has been with the Plinius. Is there a $4K difference? Not in my system. So here you have what TWL calls "diminishing returns". I also agree with TWL, that a 10-15% improvement is actually quite good, especially at the high end of audio gear.

Another factor to consider is how much difference will you hear in your current system by changing one component. Some times a very good component just won't shine in the wrong system. Could also be a factor.

Now, I've never heard the Kinergetics amp or the Spectron (yet), but I do have an opinion on the Pass amp. Pass! Some of Nelson's earlier designs sounded very good. IMHO, the new series of amps do not. I considered (auditioned) several Pass amps about a year ago.

One last word of advice, shop around. Listen to as many different amps (in your system) as possible before settling on one. Otherwise, you may wind up with a “for sale” post here sooner than you expected to.

Good Luck!

Listener is the first person I've heard to have the opinion Nelson Pass made better sounding amps in the past, meaning, I guess, the Aleph series. I own a Pass X-150 powering large ribbon speakers. The Pass X amps will faithfully pass along whatever you feed it. I don't like Sony, and wouldn't have one for my front end. I feel they sound too clinical. The B&W 803, a good rock speaker, does not have the resolving ability of an electrostat, panel, or ribbon speaker. I've been through a number of amps, and the Pass X amp proved to be a relevation. It doesn't sound like anything, really. It is substantially more dynamic than other designs I've tried. It's greatest achievment has been it's limitless sweet highs.

I just heard a Plinius 250 class A amp. I didn't learn anything about it because it was running some ancient speakers that colored everything. On the other hand, with my system's being ruthlessly transparent, any small change shouts out, wheher it be a tube switch or an amp switch. Most resently a visiting Llano failed to win my heart, to say the least.

I am not saying that the Pass does not sound good and maybe I should not expect more than a 10-15% improvement. I just WANTED to be so blown away that I had no other option but to buck up the $$$. I am hearing a very refined amp with the Pass, very musical, natural sounding, but I guess that I was thinking of 30-50% improvement from a $6K amp versus the $2200 ten year old Kinergetics. I asked the question awhile ago to upgrade speakers or amp and got a very mixed review. It was easier to audition amps in my home since many dealers are willing to let me try them out versus sending speakers. I also have the Linar Audio amp coming this week and possibly a BAT VK-500 or 6200. Any others? Most of the amps can be bought for $3500 or less new or demo so that would be my price range.

Thanks for all the repsonses.

Peter

I sort of misunderstood your original question about classes of amps. I personally take with a very large grain of salt the Stereophile class ratings. I understand their attempt to rate components, but to think that a class A versus class B component will have a quantifiable difference in sound quality is, in my opinion, not going to happen.

Of course, if I could afford some of the A rated components I would probably own them if for no other reason than pride of ownership.

Jim

I'm selling matched Mullards. These are being gobbled up by a lot of people. On my super transparent system, I found the Mullards to be objectionally colored. Why are they so popular?. On other less resolving systems, be it the fault of speakers, amps, pre amps, or front ends, the Mullards will assume a most pleasing lush sound. The point is, Bigkidz, if you move to more revealing speakers, you may find your older amp wanting. The Pass then, will have a much larger impact on your sound.

I found the speaker I wanted, and from then on I had to be very careful about my choices of component matches. Watching the used market carefully, I bought the X150, Aleph P, and Jolida NOS tubed 100 to feed my ribbons. The total outlay, including speakers, was about $6000.

What size room do you have Bigkidz?