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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

jay73
blackfly's avatar
blackfly
23 posts
 

Also to point out, there are MANY Luxman M 900u Class A/B units for sale......but the older M 800a Class A units are rarely for sale too and I wonder why.......

jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
219 posts
 

@mesch , as far as AVA HiFi is concerned, I would consider the AMP, not the Integrated or Control Amplifier as they call it.

Either the SET 400 or SET 120 Amps with the Vincent functioning as a Pre-Amp, I think it would make a good combo. As you stated about your previous SV-236, I really would hate to give up my Vincent. It certainly is a sweet sounding unit.

But if I decide on the Sugden, then no, choice, I would have to let it go.

For my sources, I have an external DAC (Queststyle CMA400i), MoFi Studio Deck TT with a Hana SL MC Cart and a Technics SL-G700 SACD Player. So I feel my sources are pretty decent.

Yea, I am not in a rush, need to make sure I get the right unit.

@blackfly , I've never heard the Luxman's but I can imagine they must be awesome, especially the 590 that you refer to. Just way out of budget though. But they are beautiful for sure.

But you stated, I really want to hear what Class A is all about, Hopefully Soon.

brianlucey's avatar
brianlucey
172 posts
 

You’re going down the right road looking for class A, don’t listen to anyone who says that a properly made class D amp has the qualities you seem to seek. A, A/B, D etc. each have a flavor.  Although some A/B are biased for a handful of watts at the top. .

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,100 posts
 

don’t listen to anyone who says that a properly made class D amp has the qualities you seem to seek. A, A/B, D etc. each have a flavor.  Although some A/B are biased for a handful of watts at the top.

IME You can't judge any amplifier by its class of operation. For example class D amps vary in sound just as much as tube amps do- some are quite nice, others make you wonder what the fuss is about. The 'flavor' of any amplifier is essentially its distortion characteristics.  Some designers know this and others don't.

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

@atmasphere

IME You can’t judge any amplifier by its class of operation.

wisdom from ralph yet again

people confuse technologies with results... those folks lack a fundamental understanding of engineering, which is to make specific technologies work to achieve targeted performance parameters

just like dacs when people say r2r sounds x, delta sigma sounds y... ugh...

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