Amps that don’t impersonate space heaters.


There have been some epically hot periods in metropolitan Chicago this summer. I have had a long running affair with a pair of Avantgarde Uno s2’s and don’t really require a great deal of power. I have two dissimilar but equally compelling amps (a Pass 30.5 and a BAT vk-56) both prodigeous producers of heat creating a sauna like environment in my library/listening room the HVAC system not withstanding. What, if anything, have you boys and girls found that might replicate the qualities of my beloved amps minus the potential for 3rd degree burns and heat prostration?
Cheers and good fortune to you all. 

williamjohnston

Class A done well has special qualities that seem to come at a price. Only tubes seem to extract a similar price, thermally. I can suggest a couple of options:

Combine a tube section preamp with a well-designed Class D (e.g., a ProJect Pre Box RS2 Digital and a NAD C298).

Use a modern GaN FET amp: Peachtree’s Carina GaN for example.

Use a hybrid amp with partial class A topology, NuPrime IDA-8 is compact and is a Class A- Class D hybrid which has been a successful model in that company’s lineup.

Your horns should do well with any of them.

@ghdprentice Thank you for the succinct description of high quality bass reproduction. I loved my slam back in my younger days, and noticed that it disappeared as I got into better gear, to be replaced by a more complete reproduction of the music. The nuance in the low frequencies is one of the best parts of a quality system. 

Seconding the Atma Class D's. Tube amps and A/B amps just roasted me in my hot and small upstairs bedroom. Atma's solved that issue with zero heat and they don't even get warm. I don't think I'll ever be selling them. 

I am most grateful for all of these intriguing responses. I am only familiar with Coda by name but I am obviously taken with many things spawned by Threshold. I didn’t see them at AXPONA but believe they have a presence in Chicago. Class D is also an intriguing idea. Again, I have scant personal experience but the dimensions and weight are most appealing to a person addicted to swapping out amplifiers and who will celebrate his 74th birthday soon. The fact that many suggestions accept balanced input a distinct plus as this is a cult I joined long ago. I wasn’t aware that Atmos-phere made a class D amp. Have always respected Ralph’s products. I have never owned one but OTL has always fascinated me since meeting ‘Gizmo’ at a CES in Chicago long, long ago. Again, appreciation to and for you all.