Pure Class-A Amp under $2000 (USED)

Try looking for the Forte brand . Made a Model One that was 50 watts and later upgraded the line to a Model 4 (Fifty Watts ) and then 2 Monoblocks ! Don’t recall that model # . Had the Model 4 loved it but parted with it going up the audio chain ! The thing about a Class A amp is that most of them generate a lot of heat so take that in consideration! Good hunting in this crazy hobby !

I recently sold my Classe Audio DR-8 power amplifier ("Pure Class A", hence the name) built in Canada and designed by David Reich. It served me very, very well with Vancdersteen 2c models and most recently with Magnapan LRS. I replaced it with a Schiit Vidar (not class-A). I am still considering the wisdom of the new v. old amplifier but class-A was very satisfying for me for a very long time.

No one is mentioning Plinius SA 100 ? This amp can even powered my Andra Eggleston and it’ redefine Class A category per Stereophile review.

Classe Audio real class A amplifiers are : 

DR-2, DR3, DR3-B (25 Watt - 65lbs.)

DR3-VHC (45Watt - 99lbs)

Hello 8586,

How are you.

You wrote, " I think the wattage range between 30-60WPC for Class-A is powerful and popular".                                                                                                                                   I have no idea what "popular",  has to do with the price of tea in China when it comes to anything, let alone amps. Best to look at the spec data on your Venere's.                   

Sensitivity: 88dB. Nominal Impedance: 6 ohms. Suggested amplification: 50W-200W. These are relatively inefficient/power hungry speakers, that will inevitably "clip" an under powered amplifier. The maker recommends 50-200W. I'm not saying I'm 100% correct on this, but in the name of safety a good rule of thumb is to add 50+200=250, divided by 2 = 125watts. Although they "do" over lap, do not confuse power with volume/dB, think more along the lines of authority as well as head room.

Therefore if you're bent on a pure Class A amp, take heed from (pwerahera) suggestion concerning the Krell KSA 150 and 250, or (jeffseight's) suggestion on a Threshold. Someone wrote that these amps might be overbearing. You did say that a different Pre-amp was in the cards. For approx $2G's, a good tube Pre-amp (VTL Ultimate, ARC-SP8, Audible Illusions Modulus, or an Ampex 402) will get a tiger amp to purr. If tubes aren't your thing, a Classe' Audio DR5 is a good SS alternative that blends well with a pure Class A amplifier.

Enjoy the music.