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How hot is hot when moving from class a/b to to a or tubes?

I am considering moving from a class a/b Luxman L509x to a class a or tube amp. 
I have never owned a class a or tube amp, so have no experience of living with one. My kids are hopefully old enough and wise enough not to burn themselves, but I do live in an already warm house with bifold doors leading to a south facing garden. There is no escaping the sun, despite having uv treated glass. 
 
My room is roughly 9 meters by 12 open planed living space. Equipment is, Luxman L-509x integrated, Zu union 6 supreme, 99db sensitivity (this is why I am considering a lower powered tube I can barely turn the Luxman up) music is played roughly 6 hours a day, more on weekends  

who here has moved from class a/b and d to class a with or without tubes. What were the differences of things like:

warming up time 

additional heat to the home

Running in summer time 

additional cost to run

any considerations I should make before purchasing something. I will try in my home, but will need to free up funds 
 

 

mpoll1
decooney
1,908 posts
 

I use to think my two mono tube amps ran hot. Recently completed a custom full Class A 50w solid state amp build with the help of a local tech.  It runs even hotter.

Hot is hot. We pay a small price and inconvenience for the sound - still think its worth it for the type of sound it yields. When it warms up faster, even better! :)

 

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,386 posts
 

My Pass Labs XA30.8 Class A amp runs cooler than the tubed Rogue ST100 that I had before it.

I can hold my hand on the heatsink and it’s not terrible. It’s also not too bad in the summer.

As to the warm up time, both the tubed Rogue and the SS Pass need about an hour but the change is not drastic. 

mpoll1 OP
24 posts
 

Where to even begin…. All of your responses have been really helpful. Massively appreciate the time taken and passion for the subject. 
 

I have take all your suggestions and will start my research for my new purchase. 
 

Thanks again. 

carlsbad's avatar
carlsbad
1,551 posts
 

Not hot at all for the amp you need to drive those speakers.

I have 5 tube amps. The smallest ones, 2 wpc EL84, is about 60 watts. My 300b is 150watts, my push pull KT66 is 180 watts. none of those heat up the room. these are measured numbers which are always much lower than nameplate numbers. Most people don’t understand this.

My push pull 6c33c is 400 watts. It does heat up the room.

You need 2 watts. make sure you choose a DHT SET or at least audition one.

Jerry

erikt
256 posts
 

I have the L-509x and Luxman USA confirmed that the L-509x operates as Class A up to 6 watts, then transitions to A/B.

 

With high efficiency speakers and modest listening levels, the L-509x likely operates solely in Class A.

 

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