Pure Class A SS vs Tube Amp

My Schiit Vidar amp (according to what I read about it) is class A/B and it's supposed to be class A at lower volume levels and switches to AB at higher volume so if most of your listening is at lower volume I don't think you need a class A amp. I'm pretty sure any A/B amp will accomplish the same thing. 

@lowtubes 
"...and others will lean on the very musical side." 

Exactly.  





...

Hello Lordrootman, I usually do not write on forums but every once an a while, I’ll post my opinion. I’ve been in this hobby for around 30yrs now and I’ve seen a lot of people recommending all sorts of components. Some I agree and some I highly disagree with. I do understand that we are all in different places with experience in this hobby in addition, system synergy is at play too.  But I cannot recommend enough that you stick with a pure class A solid state amp, even if it is a lower powered amp or a tube design. Do research and find a well regarded design that seems to be liked by many people. Not all pure class A solid state amps are good, so be careful!  Some are ok and others are outstanding. For tube amps, I’m sorta bias, so I’ll let you know that right away. I prefer power tubes like the 300b designs and EL34’s. I like other tubes also like the 45, EL84, 6L6, 211, 845.  I personally have owned and will never purchase again the newer tubes like the  KT88, 6550 and many of the newer power tubes that are being used more frequently by designers today.  For my taste, the 1st batch of power tubes I mentioned gives me musicality along with detail that is just so beautiful to hear. IMO, honestly, I have heard the same magical musicality and detail that I have received from my very expensive 300b mono amps from a well designed Solid State class A amp. So be careful in all the recommendations out there and TAKE YOUR TIME, —-RESEARCH— and get the right amp FOR YOU.  My recommendations of amps will not necessarily work for you but if you still with the base information I’m presenting, you’ll find that these kind of amps produce the best musical experience IMO.  

Special thanks to everyone for great contributions and response
@lowtubes 
Thanks for your great detail response 
keep it coming 

jetter1,598 posts02-26-2020 5:41amI've never heard any Pass Labs amps, but would love to try a XA25.

I have yet to find a Pass or pass design amp, I didn't like. All to varying degrees. I haven't heard the latest and greatest, But Nelson Pass has and still is a very big part of "simple is better". His First Watt amps are custom to the T as per application. Very simple, VERY special. You may want to look there. I haven't looked at all the post, just a thought. Very reasonable on pricing and the best support out there, plane and simple.
Decware is another great choice, but a little on the spendy side. I had a pair of their 60s. I just couldn't find "THAT BASS". Not that it wasn't great it was wonderful, it just wasn't "THAT BASS". They also worked very well on old Klipsch Horns, La Scalas, Corner Horns, ect. I'm not a Klipsch guy per say, But some of the coolest looking and really "Sounding" speaker are Horn loaded, super high E.  Super efficient can also equate to a lot of floor noise if your not careful. Extra care on ground loop noise for sure.

First Watt also made a B5 unit for OB application, Active XO, cool little creature. I have one and currently rounding up the goods for a pair of Alfa/Beta dual 15 builds, I'll use planar mids and highs for the center baffle. They are a neet, efficient, DIY speaker. I'm making mine out of 
Stair Flats, 1 inch thick, red oak skins over black oak butcher block. Glued and biscuited joined for 18" width. Harder than the hubs of Hell to cut..
Nelsons designs are made for just that. Wonderful bass response warm mids and NOT earbleading hiper highs. Uses a lot of WIMA caps, close tolerances. GOOD stuff mate. 5-15 watts your in heaven. Now I'm more of a HP guy. VTLs, Class D, Macs, AB stuff, push and the pulla!
Momma Mia. 

Regards