equating class A to class AB SS amps?

The other point is that many AB amps operate in class A until a certain wattage is reached, then go AB.

I used to have a 75 watt (into 8 ohms) class A amp that was beautiful to listen to.

Excellent answers, I always wondered about this too.

Thanks.

I owned an Aleph 30 (Class A) amp rated at 30 glorious watts per channel. Based on the different amps I have owned previously and a direct comparison to them, it had no more power than just a 30 watt per channel AB solid state amp.

Many thanks for all the helpful replies! Now I am less confused.

The speakers that I am considering are the Verity Audio Parsifal Ovations, driven by either a Luxman 590Aii or a 509u. Both Luxman integrateds are heavy beasts with large transformers/power supplies, and they exactly double their output into 4 ohms. One is class A (590Aii, 30 wpc) and the other class AB (509u, 120 wpc).

The 509u probably operates in class A at low volumes, and may be the way to go. I know that the 590Aii is highly regarded, but I am concerned about a hot and power hungry pure class amp in the long-term.

Adding a Wadia 381 or an Esoteric X-05 cdp to the mix may be the beginning of a great system.

Regards,

Mark

Mark I think the deciding factor should be your ears;if you can bring the 2 Luxman units home with the speakers to see how they interact in your listening room;let them warm up for a set period of time then sit down and enjoy the decision making process.Hopefully you can do a home audition
of the pieces in question;good luck and enjoy the listening.