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
ag3- Steve Guttenberg reviewed the Cheviots a few months back.
He used both his SIT3 and the XA25. The XA25 was the clear winner
he said. I think these Tannoys benefit from the extra power.
From what I hear the LTA is not as good. One Valvet E2SE owner
said he liked his Valvet over the XA25 but was trading up to the Mono blocks. I prefer a nearby factory and US build. Reselling unknown
brands often times means a haircut.
Bakoon is one I look for if another show ever happens.
I did try a Swedish no name integrated-Lejonklou. Now that
could be a 2nd amp someday for me. 40wpc Class a/b. So black
and pure and uncolored. Maybe more so than I prefer.
@ chorus,

This has been a slow evolving rabbit hole of upgrades.

The current system will be a Linn Majik DSM (3) with internal amp and volume control turned off > Pass Labs XP-20 preamp > Pass Labs XA30.8 amp > Spendor D9 speakers.

Analogue: Rega Planar 6 table with Ania MC coil, Neo power supply and Rega Aria phono stage...
Your system looks like a winner to me.
I have liked the D7 a lot but never managed
to find a D9 to listen to. I know Ken, manager at
Brooks Berdan, had a pair in his home.

Enjoy the XA 30.8!