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


Cost ? Heat? Reliability?
inna
One has to take the time ( as little as absolutely necessary) to pause and reflect on the reality that written or spoken opinions are largely driven by the insatiable need to be acknowledged.

As someone who earned a living as an electronics technician, I am qualified to state what is "theoretically" better. While Class A is theoretically better, you need the hearing of a good hound dog to tell the difference between AB and A; maybe some young people got it, but I'm very doubtful about old folks.

What some old folks got is "deep pockets": deep enough to entertain their fantasies.

If I was rich, I would still have high quality AB, because I'm certain I can not hear the difference, so why pay so much just to heat the house.
Dan D’Agostino's son Bret certainly agreed with your premise & his co. Bully Sound still has their site up even after his demise so presumably they're some kind of going concern >
https://bscaudio.com/Pages/aboutHistory.php


Inna, some people can hear better than others in regard to Class A.

In regard to SS versus tubes, some people are music lovers, and some people are equipment lovers.

When I had an audiophile music loving friend, we swore by our "0 distortion" SS gear. I requested a CJ preamp to audition at my home, and invited my friend over for his evaluation.

The CJ was a loaner and produced apparent distortion, but even through this distortion, we both agreed that the music sounded better. Neither one of us has ever considered SS preamps, since.


However, an SS power amp simply reproduces the signal of the preamp; consequently, a high quality SS power amp is acceptable.