Pure class A amplifiers = "slow" amplifiers?


Hi folks, I know this is subject of controversy. In general pure class A has been regarded as the best way in solid state amplification to get the purest sound. In my experience many pure class A solid state amplifiers (Accuphase, Pass Labs, Plinius) sound "slow" and are lacking "dynamics". Do they sound that way because they have less distortion than class A/B amplifiers, I mean sometimes a signal is so pure that one is increasing the volume adjustment knob to get a louder sound. With a very pure sound it seems like music goes slower too (= psychoacoustic phenomenon).

Chris
dazzdax
Stevecham writes:

Slowness is a function of the source.
Not completely.

Regards,
Band width and slew rate are not a function of eachother only potentially limited by one or the other parameter. In any event the slew rate is ridiculously quick, some other elements must account for percieved slowness. I don't percieve it in my class A tube amp at all. I think it is not physics but pycho acoustics with cues telling some listeners the sound is rich dense, or heavy and therefore slower.
If you're just telling us that you don't prefer the 'Class A' sound, that's understandable. Class A is not the only way to good sound or else it would be the only type of amplifier people would buy. Just because you prefer one over he other doesn't mean you're missing the bus or it's a design issue - there are plenty of A/AB's out there that outperform single-ended Class A. But then again, substituting a better amplifier shows up downstream equipment. Maybe it's the preamplifier slowing things down.
Dave, I have Soundlab A-1's, Accuphase C-290V preamplifier and MBL/Accustic Arts digital front end.

Chris