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Does Class A amplifier artificially smoothen sound

I used to like DVD-A over redbook CD when owning well respected Class AB amplifiers for typical reasons. I don't own many DVD-As and certainly haven't listened to any of them since getting the Pass XA60.5 until now. To those who have Class A amplifiers, don't you find DVD-A music partially reverse some of what you like about Class A amp.? It actually gave me a headache, the same fatigue caused by that artificially intense sound, that same sound distortion I've so gladly escaped when buying the XA60.5 for CD music listening. Now loud live performance can give me deaf ears, but not the same headache as described. At least with what observed, it doesn't seem to indicate smoothness and relaxed mood as characteristics created by Class A amp. to emulate live music. In one case (redbook CD), I can listen to music for hours. In the other case using the same amp. and disc player, I got tired rather quickly (within 30 minutes).
spatine
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
If this is true then the fault lies in the DVD-A reproduction and not with the amp. If the amp were at fault then CD reproduction would be bad as well. I have used several Class A amps but not DVD-A, which I didn't know was still around. Barring some incompatibility between the amp and whatever you are using for DVD-A playback there would seem to be no logical way for the amp to be at fault, just how did you propose that it could be?
rtn1
535 posts
 
It is hard to generalize among class A amps. There are class A amps that are still flat, strident, and dull.

Moving from a class AB to a class A topology, you might experience:
Increase in dynamics. Music is more energetic, punchy, rounded.
Less compression of the soundstage width and depth.
Better delineation of details with less strain or harshness.

I know this because I had an amp that could switch between A and A/B. The difference is not even close. It is like going from mono to stereo. I would not say that class A resulted in an artifically smooth sound, but there was more ease and less strain.

As said, there are great Class A amps, and inconsequential Class A amps. But keeping everything else constant except the A and A/B designation, the A should have a more satisfying sound.

The Pass XA.5 has a warmer midrange with more textural and harmonic richness compared with many SS amps. I would say that is more by design throughout, than due purely to class A.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Perhaps, it's more likely that Class AB amplifier(s) artificially roughen sound.
spatine OP
84 posts
 
I am trying to come across neutral, that people would be more comfortable voicing either positive or negative comments about class A amplifiers. Personally I don't think it's an artificial compensation by Class A to make the sound more pleasant as some of us tend to suspect. I wrote because I want to see more people benefited from such healing effect of music; and I was so glad to have stumbled into Class A amplifier design that allows the sustained listening without having the headache and the disappointment I have had for years beforehand. What use is music if you cannot listen to it for so long. So I raised a case-and-point contrasting between DVA-A and CD reproduction both by Pass XA60.5. Nor do I think there is something wrong with the disc player which is Meridian 808. We all know that Meridian has spent a lot of effort to polish their DVD-A technology, and they receive nothing but compliments for their work. Personally I think the XA60.5 monoblocks transmit whatever they receive. If the source is good, then it's good. If the source is not ideal, then I am going to pay for it with a headache. Yet all of this is just my personal view. Any difference in opinion is more than appreciated.
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