2. amps-preamps
  3. 192949-193435

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?

 

tbac23
tbac23 OP
6 posts
 

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.

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,948 posts
 

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.

deep_333
1,566 posts
 

Time old problem and here's a solution...

 

Technics SU-G700M2:  $2900

 

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 was shooting for the $3000 price range 

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