Class A\B or D for summer months (vs Class A)
I have a Pass XA25 with a XP20 pre-amp with Forte iV speakers.I bounce back & forth between streaming local content & vinyl. Noise floor is low, sound quality is good through the volume range - Classic rock, hard rock, blues rock... Typical late 70's through 90's mainstream bangers.
Last summer I did notice the XA25 amp and my central air were battling it out a little in the listening room. The amp had no issues and runs warm regardless of season. I guess I notice it more when I'm looking to stay cool vs stay warm.
I have a Benchmark LA4 preamp that I used prior to the Pass XP20. I'm sure there's good synergy between the Benchmark LA4 and Benchmark AHB2 amp so the AHB2 has been on my 'investigate further' list.
I'm a little worried that it might be too thin or sterile vs the XP25. The AHB2 would certainly help reduce the heat.
Anyone been down a similar path with thoughts to share?
Count the number and weight of old iron radiators needed to heat a house. I'd say your amp is a tiny fraction compared to any of them. You are better of putting that money into better insulation so your heating and cooling systems don't have to work hard. Start taking hot yoga and you won't even want AC anymore. |
If I was you I’d strongly consider this Valvet Class A amp that’s well within your budget. It doesn’t run very hot due to its relatively low output power but should still have no problem at all driving your speakers. Could be the best of both worlds where you keep great Class A sound without the heat penalty, and who knows you might even end up preferring it to your Pass. Read the reviews as they’re unanimously and overwhelmingly positive. Just another option, but personally I’d be all over this. |
Appreciative for the continued comments. I've pulled up multiple suggested items and reviewed.I would have a lot of fun ordering $50k of hardware to listen to and test - I would spend the time without complaints and keep myself busy for a long while if it were possible.The AGD line would be entertaining I'm sure. The decision I've made that will help make sure I'm not just 'buying & trying' in a cyclical routine is that I need to seek out and hear some of these options before I make the purchase. Class A is good, sound is great. Runs warm...I'll live with that for now. I had a Firstwatt J2 prior to the XA25 - sound was very similar. Maybe many of the Nelson Pass amps are similar... I've only heard these two. Bass control was a stand out improvement with the Pass over the Firstwatt though. I never had an issue with output or SPL - I think the Pass has more headroom but I don't push things that hard for it to matter. |
your 99dB speakers could operate with a very low wattage amp. I have driven my 98dB speakers with a 2.3 watt decware amp with no problems. I find that an SET tube amp generally puts very little heat into the room. I don't even have air conditioning. The exception is the 6C33C tube that runs hot. radiated heat goes at Texp4. The 6C33C runs about twice the temperature of a normal tube so that is 16 times the radiated heat. @carlsbad2 My speakers are 98dB and very easily driven by tubes. My class D amp is quieter by a good 10-20dB than any tube amp I've tried on them so far and has the added advantage of sounding very similar- same smoothness in the mids and highs as the best tube amps I've used, just a bit more transparent. |
Time old problem and here's a solution...
Technics SU-G700M2: $2900
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