Why would anyone want class AB amp when class A always sounds better ?


Cost ? Heat? Reliability?
inna
I think this will be a fair comparison:

Same system other than the amp. (Speakers are Sonus Faber Seraphino).

I have had a Pass Labs X-250.8 (class AB) for the last year or so.

A couple of moths ago I could try at home a pair of Pass labs XA-60.8 monoblocks. Same manufacturer and not very different price.

I thought that if the X250.8 delivers it’s first 16 watts in class A and it never leaves class A, then I was good to go, Pass class A all the time.

BUT BIAS (current, ampers) of class A in the XA-60.8 are 3 times higher than in X-250.8

Does it matter? Well, I sold my 250 and I couldn’t be happier now with the XA-60.8s

Better timbre, overtones, layers, soundstage …

Same brand, not very different price and for me it makes a hell of a difference.

I’m not trying to argue, just contribute to the community with my recent experience.



Since I speak my truth, I never question another persons truth.  I think that's foolish.  I merely attempt to understand the other person's truth.
Different strokes for different folks. You do you and let people do what they want. It’s called freedom of choice.
what about the variable biasing whatever yamahas from the 80's...those were beasts.