Pure class A amplifiers = "slow" amplifiers?

Class A (in general) will produce less distortion than any other form of operation. The human ear uses odd-ordered harmonics as loudness cues; in particular the 5th, 7th and 9th. Although only found in trace amounts in most amplifiers, even very subtle increases in these harmonics are readily noticed due to the way our ears work.

We perceive the increase as brightness/hardness.

I would not surprise me in the least to find that some people hear that as 'speed' (to me the word speed refers to the risetime or slew rate of the amp) or bandwidth.

If those harmonics are not altered the amplifier will be more relaxed or 'laid back', which is **not** to say that there is a coloration- in fact. there is *less* coloration.

In transistor amplifiers some of the fastest risetimes are manifested in Class A amplifiers. This is true of tubes too, although to really get the same speed as transistors you have to get rid of the output transformer, but then they can be every bit as fast as the fastest transistors.

Tmhaudio, just a FWIW: the use of silver or a particular alloy in a conductor does not change the speed at which a signal flows through it in the slightest. There are many things that can 'speed up' an amplifier but that is not one of them; if an amplifier is 'fast' it is that way for very different reasons!

On a slightly different note I have heard a number of amplifiers that were bright but also slow- and amplifiers that were relaxed ('laid back') but also very fast. I think there is a bit of confusion of terminology and individual experience that can confuse the qualities (bright/relaxed vs fast/slow) and consequently the subject.