Demo'ing Class A amps, Appreciation Suggestions from those who recently been there


I recently sold my Cary S120MKll Amp in 2 days. It was 60wpc triode.
Filling in with Pass Lab, baby DIY Class A Mono blocks. Maxing at 7 wpc.
My speakers are rated 94 Sensitivity older FSMs by Tannoy.

I have sampled so far in order of preference:

-Pass Labs XA25 -Disneyland color the way I like it. $4,900 new
-Leben 300 Int. 12 wpc. EL 84s by Golden Lion-Like an Upscale call girl. Seductive. $4,000 new-Not in the running-

-Lejonklou Boazu Int.-40wpc S.S. Class a/b-Totally Pure. Almost hurts to hear a guitar slide. $4,000 new
-Sugden Masterclass IA 4 Class A to 33wpc. Very smooth but surprisingly not a great match with my Tannoys. $6,000?

What else would you think might be worth a listen?
I want to go Solid State this time. I enjoy the Class A resolution.
Yes the Leben is an outlier someone offered and I said "Sure"! Done with hum otherwise.


I listen from a low of 60 db to high of 75 db.
Room is irregular and medium sized in terms of cubic
feet. Treated as needed.

I want an amp that is satisfying enough to keep for the long run.
Someday I may add the others for a different sound or with less efficient planars, etc.

Price range $5k max.
Used preferred.
Willing to wait.

Brands I am have not heard but read positive comments about:
Ayre, Naim, Linn

Thank you all in advance for your thoughts.
Please do not feel compelled to respond if you
have not been here in the last few years.





chorus
Ah. So here’s another idea — there’s a McCormack DNA 0.5 available on eBay for $575. If you buy it and send it to SMcAudio for full mods you’ll basically have a new SOTA amp for well under $5k with great musicality. And your energy bill will thank you. Just another option since Class A not a necessity.
Soix,

Possibly a route to better sound but I am in trial mode
now. Why don't you update it and then loan it to me? haha
First Watt amps to my ears are nothing special.  Built a class A amp following the First Watt design but point-to-point wired and used a few better parts and that easily beats the First Watt.

Happy Listening
Might want to keep your eyes our for a BEL (Brown Electronic Lab) preferably Mk. 5.
That was a 50W giant killer.   

I just sold one, otherwise...
Clayton Audio is still in business and makes some of the very best sounding pure class A SS amps around. I love mine 🙂.