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

@audioman58That being said , inside the Quality of the parts have much more to do with the final result of the sound.

I would have normally agreed with your statement but last night hearing an OK to good parts preamp it was so close in sound to the better parts model we build I began to wonder if paying for custom transformers, resistors, capacitors, separate chassis, etc. was worth it.  So close it was confusing to us and made me think that we have now come full circle.  Still point-to-point wired and good parts but so close.

Happy Listening.   

@michaelc2020
If you are eve in the NYC area let me know  I can should you a pure 1 watt amp on a pair of Klipschorns that sound simple beautiful.

Happy Listening.

https://youtu.be/abdmZbQPQtY
This guy has a very good channel, in one of the videos he talks about amp design and how many watts we really need, just bare in mind he is talking about European midsize room not US cathedrals 😜
I must say I totally agree with his viewpoint, when ever I go over 80db it starts to get seriously loud and often uncomfortable very soon.
Anyway, I thought his views on the matter would interest most audiophiles, also he has a very good way of presenting his views.
Enjoy!

The Benchmark is as smooth or smoother than any class A amp I’ve heard...IF it’s paired with a good class A preamp. There is no point in owning a low distortion amplifier if the preamp is a weak link.

In my mind there are absolutely no reasons to own any other amp unless you either want a very colored sound or your speakers require more than 100/200 WPC, 8/4 ohm. You get an AHB2 then tailor the sound with your choice of preamp. Class A tube preamp paired with an AHB2 is that cliche “match made in heaven.”

Agree with the Benchmark stack being smooth, It is a smoothness that also has the most clarity that I ever heard.

I recently added a Gustard X26 Pro to my Benchmark HPA4 | AHB2 mono. It replaced the Benchmark DAC3B (still keeping it). The sound of my system was transformed to that of the Gustard. The HPA4 and AHB2 do not seem to add any flavor.