Are There Any Inherent Advantages to Class A amps?


All things being equal, power supply size, wpc into 2 ohms and everything else, Is a class A design inherently better than an A/B design? Disregarding the heat issue with class A amps, what makes them so desirable?

I'm saving my money for a pair of used serious monoblocs. I'm thinking a pair of used Pass X-600 monos or a pair of used Krell 750 monos. On the used market, the Krells are approx twice the cost of the Pass monos.

The Krells are pure class A, the Pass are class A for the first 160 watts, then they go to A/B.
128x128mitch4t
Don't forget the oil savings in the winter, as you can turn down your thermostat a few notches :)
Dear Mitch4t: I think that the JC-1 by Parasound it will be a good alternative to you and for the price you can get four units for bi-amp instead two Krells/Pass
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Rauliruegas, can the Parasounds drive low impedances and deliver serious slam on the bass?
Mitch, if you want an amp / amps for just the bottom end and REALLY want them to thunder, save some money and buy some used Electron Kinetics Eagle 7A's, a Perreaux PMF-5150B, etc... It might take some looking and waiting, but you can typically find these for about $1000 - $1200 if your patient. If the demand goes up all of a sudden* or they are really clean units, figure $1200 - $1500. The big Aragon mono-blocks might also do the trick for you.

As far as your experience with the Sunfire Signature goes, i agree. These amps in stock form DO lack bottom end impact and authority. This was a real sore-spot for me with these amps. The newer models are better in this regard but they can still be improved upon. If you really just want it for bottom end, send it back to the factory and tell them to perform what Robert refers to as their "Apogee mod" to it. This changes the tonal balance quite drastically and will "thump" your woofers for all that they are worth.

If i personally was choosing between a Krell and a Pass JUST for use as a woofer amplifier, i would give the nod to the Krell in a heartbeat. If i was going to listen to the amp full-range, i would choose the Pass in a heartbeat. Obviously, these are my personal preferences, so take them with a grain of salt. Sean
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* Has anyone ever noticed that products that get repeated recommendations on the Agon forums tend to creep up in value? I've seen this with several different models, both here and on Ebay.