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Choosing a Solid State Class A/B integrated amp

I have been committed to Integrated amps for over 10 years and have had a few, mainly Class a tube amps. I love what tubes, SET amps in particular, have to offer. The speed , mid range clarity and neutrality, can be pretty addictive. I have 2 integrated amps I use at the moment,both excellent, an Ayon Spark 20 watt SET and 50 watt hybrid Class A Pathos Inpol2.

The rest of the system is:
Mac Mini into an Ayre QB9 DAC for digital
TW Accustic Raven one/Ortofon 309D arm/Benz Micro LP cartridge
Daedalus DA-RMA speakers

Music choice is pretty eclectic, classical,Jazz,blues, singer Songwriter, not much rock, as such.

The system is great, but I know Lou at Daedalus likes higher ouput amps, particularly Modwright, despite his speakers being high sensitivity, so I would like to swap one of my amps for a higher output SS, or tube unit. .

My only exposure to a Class A/B SS integrated, was not a success. I tried the Karan K180 integrated and found it dull, slow and lifeless in my system, despite it's good reputation. Likewise, I have'nt often enjoyed the higher output push/pull tube units I have heard.

Any suggestions then for an integrated amp under $10000 new, though I would probably buy it cheaper, second hand. My ideal would be a Dartzeel H8550, which I have loved, every time I have heard it, but it's too expensive for me, even second hand. The new Modwright K200, is an obvious candidate. The reviews say is it is on the warm side of neutral, which I would like, but I have'nt heard it.

Give me some suggestions guys, thanks
david12

Showing 4 responses by david12

david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
Thanks for that Charles. I had a Pass Aleph 3 many years ago and it's one of the items I regretted selling.

I should have made something else clear. I have an itch to get a pair of quality 2 way standmounts , like the SF Cremona. For that, I would need more grunt than my current amps have.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
As Charles1dad says, the idea of warm syrupy, sluggish tube amps is a bit behind the times. I find it is more likely to be true for Push/pull amps than SETs and there lies my problem. SETs punch above their weight in speaker grip, but still a 20 watt SET is unlikely to really control an 88db standmount, with impedence dropping to 2 or 3 ohms.

There are, I am sure, fast higher output tube amps that don't cost the earth, I have'nt found one.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
I was'nt giving the figures of 88db and 2ohm sensitivity, to represent an actual speaker, just one which a tube amp is going to throw up it's hands at.

Dav72, I am disappointed that the Accuphase Class A/B amps don't approach the Class A ones. That company or Luxman were a possibilty I was considering too.. The Hegel idea is an interesting one, not that I really trust Absolute Sound reviews, I can't remember a negative review, even a hint of one.
david12 OP
1,454 posts
 
That's the point I'm afraid. Whether tube or SS, Class A seems always to sound better than A/B. I don't need massive power, 90 to 150 watts will do, but that gets you into Class A/B, or ruinously expensive Class A.

The question is, what units get you nearest to the virtues of Class A and there are some helpful suggestions, thanks
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