Ditching Class A Amps due to Heat - Sort of a Poll


A discussion elsewhere about the future of Class A made me wonder how true one statement really is. So the questions are...

Have you done away with your Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

Will you be moving away from Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

Will you never buy a Class A Amp due to Heat concerns?

I only have a class A/B unit that does Class A up to 6 watts with almost no heat so really can't speak for those who have used in the past or currently own and run Class A Amps.

brianh61

To your question - yes, I moved from Class A amps (MSB) to Class A/B with Pilium and very happy with the change. Pilium amps run cold and sonically they are superior as to my taste. It is a kind of a rare occasion when you can enhance pleasure in an environmentally friendly manner.

Someone mentioned space heater, as much as I loved my Threshold amp, that's exactly what it felt like. Very happy with a Mcintosh now, crazy low energy usage and sounds almost as good as a class A or tube amp. Running 24/7 so that's important to me. If I only listened a few hours a day I'd probably choose differently though....low power SET for my Omega 95db bookshelfs.   

I have been using tube gear for several years now and will never give them up. However, I recently borrowed a FirstWatt F6 from a friend. After I listened to it for a few hours I made an offer and now it is mine. I just ordered a pair of Tekton Double Image speakers to pair with it. The purity and accuracy of its sound won me over. Now I have an outstanding set of tube gear and what I perceive to be an equally amazing Class A amp. I will keep it, heat and inefficiency be damned. 

No heat concerns here. My pair of 1980s Crown PS/200 amps benefit from a really good chassis design that keeps them very cool without a need for any fans. Actually cold when playing music not even close to being hot at idle.

I don't have air conditioning.  I had to abandon (at least in the summer time) my 400W class a amp for a 180W class A amp.  (I'm talking watts of heat, nothing to di with watts per channel which is close to single digits).

Jerry