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


I have been rocking a Cabasse Riga setup with a Sony TA-A1ES (a heavily biased Class A design outputting first 15 watts as Class A). I absolutely love the clarity and natural sound of it. I’ve decided to keep to Class A to upgrade if possible because the Riga does not need a lot of juice to drive.

Accuphase Class As are eye-watering expensive in my country, but thankfully Esoteric prices their Class A F-03A at much more reasonable $8600 USD. Luxman unfortunately has stopped producing Class As, so they are out of equation and besides strangely they are more expensive than Esoteric in my country. Pass Labs, well, way out of my budget.

So, for around $8600 USD or less what are my other options if I want a similar sound to Class A without going down the tube route?

I’ve heard the new HifiRose RA180 sounds quite class A like. And I think the Yamaha AS series sound quite close as well. Any more options should I consider? The pricing of other brands should be similar to US.

128x128auroravengeance

Pass Labs, Jeff Rowland or (my favourite) Neurochrome DIY modules.  You can buy a kit straight from Tom - it's better than all of the aforementioned which I've owned.

While not integrated, I ran the Pass Labs XP12 with their wonderful XA25. The combo is around the $10k mark and I thought it was magical. I have since stepped up to X260.8’s and while they have more power and a bigger sound, sometimes I miss that wonderful combo. 

Line Magnetic integrated (tube class A) amps are superb with efficient speakers - provide a rich sound that is very difficult to beat with any SS amps.  

If you're into anything "acoustic" - you will be amazed.  

If you're a "rocker" - stick with a SS integrated.

I'd suggest purchasing a used Luxman 590 AXII or you can't go wrong with an Accuphase. All good suggestions above and it comes down to your personal tastes in your home.