2. amps-preamps
  3. 174822-132496

Question about Class A

So I read all the time how awesome Class A Amps/Integrated's (SS and Tube) are.

I currently have a Vincent SV-500 Hybrid and feel it sounds really good.

But I have this itch now to hear what Class A would sound like and would it be a big difference to my current Vincent.

I wanted to ask what are some good Class A Integrated's that I could look into?

I know Pass Labs always comes up and for good reason but those might be a bit out of my budget.

I would say I can probably go to $3K new or used.

Sugden is another brand that I have researched a lot and the A21 retails for around $2500 and there is a dealer in Socal that carries it, so that one is tempting.

Vincent has the SV-237 MK II but I think that is only Class A for the 1st 10 watts into 8-ohms and I have 4-ohm speakers so I am not sure if that would give me any Class A magic. I am sure it would sound similar to my SV-500 but have more base extension.

Could you all recommend any other one's? I have been researching but haven't come across any (SS or Tube).

Thanks

128x128jay73
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 

The Sugden a21se is $3250, not certain where you are seeing an a21 for $2500. They do not go on sale. Any how, I love my A21se, best amp I ever owned. Yea, it gets hot, big deal. The trade off is holographic euphoric liquid sound. Nothing I’ve tried in past can touch it, it’s in a league of its own. Yea, there may be better and with more bells and whistles, but at what cost? I don’t need all that, I just want a pure class A single ended solid state amp, and I got the original, the sugden.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 

Did a little surfing. 
If it were me, and the power was sufficient, I'd try find a nice tube preamp, then try the Schiit first. Then, look at:
Sugden https://www.ebay.com/itm/255374915799?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=8bd2bd48-88d9-11ec-bf81-623639343262
First Watt https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649809695-first-watt-f7/
Krell, near St. Louis https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649784277-krell-ksa-100-class-a-power-amplifier-w-original-box-packing-documentation/

invalid
1,184 posts
 

I believe the krell amp has a fan and ibais which makes it run cool and it only uses a lot of electricity if it is being driven hard.

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,215 posts
 

Class A power amp don't have an intrinsic sound.  The overall design of the amp is more important.  It's not like in tube amps where someone can hear the difference between EL84s and 300Bs.

arro222
142 posts
 

@audioguy85  Ever get a chance to hear Sudgen's integrated one model up from the A-21se?

I think its called the i-4?

More to discover