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

Yeah, the Vidar is out. I know it's high value and a fine amp but I can’t bring myself to buy a product that doesn’t have chassis mounted RCAs. Just can’t do it. It the audio line in the sand for me.

I'll second the AGD Audion....pricey but smooooooooth. I stayed in that room at Florida Hi Fi Expo last year for almost an hour. A less expensive alternate at $2500 is the Peachtree GaN 400....Smooth as tubes with great soundstage and not a hint of hardness. I am not a fan of their pre/dac but that amp is like the LRS+ of Ganfet amps. Also extremely light in weight. You can try it....don't like it send it back. Can't Loose.

@hi2alex2 Wrote:

Yeah, the Vidar is out. I know it's high value and a fine amp but I can’t bring myself to buy a product that doesn’t have chassis mounted RCAs. Just can’t do it. It the audio line in the sand for me.

The Vidar 2 amp has two chassis mounted RCAs one right and one left.

See below:

Mike

https://www.schiit.com/products/vidar2

@hi2alex2 -- what are you talking about? The Vidar has left and right RCA line inputs -- the same as my Aegir which I'm listening to right now.  The only reason there is also a XLR input is if you wish to use the amp in mono mode for higher power output, and then you'd need two Vidars for stereo operation.