Best sounding low power (under 80watts) Class AB amp?


What the world needs is a nice sounding lower power class AB amplifier under 35lbs. I'm tired of power sucking light-bulb dimming Class A designs and 80+ pound Class AB immovable boat anchors on dollies. Tubes and Class D need not apply.

An Audio Research 100.2, CJ MF-80/MF-2250 come to mind. What else is there?

What do you think? I'm I the only one?

--Sensible in Springfield.

128x128hi2alex2

 Benchmark AHB2. Reputed to be the quietest amp on the market. Around $3000 used.

Always liked the audiosource amps when I had them, pretty reliable, even when driven hard.

May get flak from this, but they were nice amps at a great price point.

50w up to I think 150-200wpc

nice little amps

always did me well

or find a used one of other brand check the Gon

 

 


Adcom 6002 is a nice low power amp with great headroom  

 

still wish they made their preamp-one. Great preamp, still have one wrapped in storage in basement somewhere.

You might like the Konus Audio Integrale (integrated amp) or Robusto (stereo or mono power amp). Fast, natural, alive.

 

Here are a few professional reviews:

 

 

What’s the budget? 
 

LTA has fancy pants tube amps that weigh next to nothing for 4K+ and are supposed to sound excellent. I can’t see the value there but I don’t know what goes into it but they are pretty much universally praised. 

This is very difficult as you are looking for low weight in a class where transformers tend to still be relatively hefty.  And…what sounds “good” to you.  Do you like a more liquid, musical sound like Luxman or do you prefer a more clinical and accurate sound like Hegel?  
 

Chord comes to mind if you like a more accurate sound.  The TToby and etude are good sounding amps.  I think they are class G technically.  For a more liquid sound, I know this is class D but not your Class D of 10 years ago, check out the AGD Audions.  You can easily mistake these tiny little amps for MOSFET based ABs.  
 

Full disclosure, I am a dealer for both brands but am struggling to think of any items that meet these requirements.  I think Valvet is class A.  Sugden is class A.  CANOR, NAD, Benchmark, etc… are all Class D.  This is a tough request