2. amps-preamps
  3. 187035-96030

Higher-End Class A/B vs. Class A Integrateds

I’ve been thinking about downsizing from separates to an integrated amp. I’ve noticed that some companies have both class A and class A/B amps that are both pretty expensive such as Luxman for example. Hegel seems to be well received and they’re not true class A as far as I know.

I was kind of under the impression that class A was better than class A/B due to lower distortion yet again, there are some well reviewed class A/B amps that are as pricey as some class A amps.

To be clear, it’s really not the price I’m concerned about. It’s the fact that some integrated amps $5000 and up are still only Class AB.

How do these higher priced class AB amps sound in comparison to true class A amps?

nicktheknife
ronboco
744 posts
 

The Boulder 866 is outstanding and well worth an audition. Good luck in your search! 

dhungana's avatar
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dhungana
28 posts
 

The gold note dealer - Rutherford audio - is having a close out sale on their entire line. The PA1175 MK2 sounds good as well as the IS-1000 integrated. Don’t pay the listed price, haggle it down. 

noodlyarm
90 posts
 

@NickTheKnife,

 

I agree that a proper integrated or preamp should have a volume knob.   The Krell 300i has buttons instead (not as good as a knob) and it has a great remote.   I just use the remote, so it works for me.

nicktheknife OP
194 posts
 

@noodlyarm  

I mostly use my remote as well.  Sometimes playing vinyl, I like to lower the volume  with the knob when I get up to change or flip a record but I don't think it should be a deal breaker.

soix
8,739 posts
 

Kinda seems like this jumped right into the weeds about amp design without getting some critical bigger-picture info.  You’ve got a long list of equipment on your system page so what are you using now, what improvements would you like to achieve (if any), and what sound characteristics are most important to you?  That’s really the bottom line more than whether a given amp is Class A or A/B, at least IMHO.

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