No matter what the topology, all amps have artificial artifacts. Some are simply more true to the source than others. I think Rtn1 is correct in that specific design is what ultimately dictates the result. I own 3 class A Bedinis, a 25/25, 100/100, and a 250/250MKII. It's well known that the Bedinis are the SS amp that's trying to be a tube amp. They all have an upper mid-range "hump". The 25/25 is fabulous with extremely fine transients and upper detail. The 100/100 sounds similar as all Bedinis do, however it"s fatiguing with just too much upper-mid. The 250/250 is the best all-round balance with great bottom-end and flat response and I think that's the key. I have a couple of A/B amps as well which are extremely flat and sound very similar to the 250/250, only faster with better bass extension. Flat response is what reveals the source material. If all your source material has the same sonic characteristics, then I would say your amp is leaving something to be desired. Also, in my opinion, an amp with a slew rate of less than something close to 50 is not going to be satisfying and fatiguing. The 100/100 is just that, too slow. My Meridian Super Class-A is very fast, detailed and flat. Definately not fatiguing. However I do all my listening through my Leach Superamp mono A/Bs, which have a slew rate of 80. Even though their soundstage characteristics are not as good as the Class A's, their linearity and speed make them more pleasing.
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).