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Pure Class A amps above 100 Watts?

What are the best options in Pure Class A amps above at least 100 watts in 8 ohms? The ones I know of are:

1) Pass Labs XA100.5
2) Pass Labs XA100.8 (and above)
3) Accuphase A-200
4) Soulution 530

Any others? Im trying to keep it under $10K, which the first two options can be had for used.


jozurr
lukaske
307 posts
 
Musical Fidelity AMS 100: very beautiful sound!!
lukaske
307 posts
 
Musical Fidelity AMS 100: very beautiful sound!!
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Sure, If you really want to rock find a pair of Parasound JC-1s. First 25 to 50 watts are class A then there is another 300 watts in reserve just in case you want to get Gary Clark Jr's volume right. These amps spent 15 years on Stereophile's recommended list. Longer than any single component in history. There are very few amps that can match the effortless power these amps provide and yet still have the airy lightness of a tube amp. And as a bonus they can drive anything. Only amps costing 3-4 times as much can compete. 
8th-note
406 posts
 
If you're willing to buy used a Krell KSA 300S is one of the best implementations of pure Class A topology. 300 watts @ 8 ohms, 1200 watts @ 2 ohms. You could buy one and have it restored/recapped and still have room in your budget.
gents's avatar
gents
113 posts
 
I agree with 8th Note. If you can't build a sublime, balls to the wall system around a Krell KSA300 amp, there's something you're doing wrong. Save some money, fine tune with your preamp and build with your ears.
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