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

The Ayre are an excellent choice.  You may not like any Class D.  Some are in this thread.  I know you asked for AB but I have the XA25 Pass Labs sounds great.  It gets warm but I can lay my hand on it.  Sometimes,  I  leave iy on for several days and havent not any change in my electric bill.  Superb sound, single ended only.  

What about an Odyssey Khartago Extreme?  Over 80 watts per channel, but not a monster.  Naim also came to mind along with Ayre.

I also suggest you look at the Musical Fidelity M5si integrated amp rated at 150wpc. Its weight is 32 pounds and it has outstanding sound quality.  Priced at $2,199.  

See link for Musical Fidelity Amplifier

"The M5si is a real high end amplifier. At 150wpc, with high current delivery, it will drive virtually any loudspeaker easily.  Internally the M5si is configured as two independent monoblocs with a separate preamp, but all mounted on one pcb. Its technical performance is about equal to the M6Si".

@herman Wow! Nifty! Ever take SPL readings (with the 300B amp)?

no, it can go louder than I would ever play it so all good there

 

Have you measured how loud you normally listen? What makes you think you need 80 watts? What kind of music do you normally listen to and at what volume level?

I humbly recommend you download an app something like Decibel X PRO so you can use the built in microphone on your phone to see what SPLs you are typically running. You might be surprised at how little power you're actually using...

agreed, but average listening level is only part of the story. Peaks can be much greater and that's when many speakers can use the extra headroom