Recommend me a Class A Integrated Amp (or sound like Class A amp)

Great suggestions from all of you. I am located in Singapore btw.

A dealer suggested to me I could actually get the entry level Accuphase Power Amp A-36 for $6500 USD and use the difference to upgrade my DAC to a DAC with a preamp like TEAC UD-701N ($2500 USD). That theoretically might give a better sonic upgrade compared to just getting an Esoteric F-03A.

Luxman, Plinius, Sugden are all below Accuphase. I don’t like the sound of Pass equipment.

It’s all subjective, and the speakers that are matched to the amp will play a part too. No right or wrong. From the list, I’ve owned Plinius Class A power amp and currently own a Class A Luxman. I’ve not heard the Accuphase but read that it has a warmer midrange glow than the Luxman.

Between Plinius and Luxman, I would say the Plinius sound more like a Class A to me, warmer midrange and fuller bass. The Class A Luxman has a rather neutral presentation although it sounds slightly warm. I find the detail and refinement of the Luxman to be a step higher than the Plinius. With the Plinius, some of the details may be missing, toned down or smeared. The Luxman is a more transparent amp with higher levels of clarity and detail in comparison to the Plinius. The leading edge of notes are all sharp, defined and pin-point with good clarity. With the Plinius it sounds a bit smeared. If one prefers a punchy, full and thick bass, the Plinius will be better but it doesn’t have the agility and refinement of the Luxman. The bass of the Luxman is leaner but with better clarity and detail when compared to the Plinius.

In my system, I wouldn’t want something that sounds warmer than the Luxman so I presume I won’t like the Accuphase which is generally regarded to have a warmer sound than the Luxman

How about the Sugden A21 or A21se? The A21se was $3250, could be a bit higher thanks to inflation. 30 watts pure class A 8 ohms, 40 into 4 ohms. A wonderful amp with great reviews everywhere....sounds way more powerful than those specs suggest. You would save lots of money, yet have more actual power in class A.

You've already captured the basic trade-ofs of class-A: the lowest distortion at the cost o vastly higher heat and consequently lower power (since ne needs to get rid of that heat).

Note that there is no fundamental difference between a class-A and a class AB amp.  you can take any of my designs turn a potentiometer and voila, go from hgih bias class AB to class A. It will then gradually either burst into flames or blow the fuse (it will do the latter).

A good AB design will in fact be class A for small signals.  All "nuance" and "detail" is, by definition, a small signal. So those are class-A anyway in a design like mine, and i am far from alone.  So i would suggest that you look for a well designed, high biased AB design as well. I suspect they are indistinguishable from pure classA except by using a thermometer, fire extinguisher, or if you need a bunch of power and headroom ,when the AB will be superior, since the designer can make it more powerful.

I wish i could say "buy mine" but with pandemic shipping and supply chain problems its sitting in pre-production land.

Oh, and "dont fix what aint broke" it sounds like you are very happy. Is there not a better place to therefore put your money? DAC? Turntable?  Beaucastel Homage '89?

Those who I have spoken to echoed the few comments earlier that I would probably see marginal improvement upgrading my amp since my Sony amp is considered as a superb amp almost comparable to the higher end Japanese brands. 

So I might decide to upgrade my DAC or speaker first.