suggestion for a SS class AB amp that sounds like a class A ... if such a thing exists

@decooney : yes it’s an original A25B... and I just change the Alp potentiometer (with an original part - no worry)... I will eventually have to change the caps on this one...

The Altec 620A is the enclosure model... speakers are 604 8G (Alnico magnet) ... never heard of surrounding becoming stiff with that kind of speakers... but the cross over needs work, that’s for sure... I’ve wanted to upgrade it for quite some time but it’s quite an investment.... I know of Great Plain Audio, thx...
The Sugden is a great little amp... As I mentionned before, it does play quite well with my vinyl set-up... but it still isn’t as transparent as my previous amp, a CM lab 911 that I got rid of because it required too much maintenance (I had it entirely rebuilt twice). I bought the Sugden because I need an amp until I got something to replace the CM lab but end up keeping it... Even if I were to get something else, I’d probably keep it as a back up amp...

thx for taking the time to kick my a--... and sorry for not selling the Sugden : )

No worries, @alaindexe , all in good collaboration - you have a nice amp and speakers worth investing in. Fwiw, a few years back, helped a few locals to spec/design/build some very large Altec (Onken, custom) fridge size speakers (3 pairs). It was another new learning experience, before & after results with updated crossovers and GPA updated drivers, along with some other JBL drivers in another project. Listened to two pairs driven by 2-watt to 8-watt true class A amps. The results were beyond expectations. Much of the credit went back to the upgraded speaker components.

The Benchmark will be by far and away the least class A-sounding, so delete immediately from your list.

That's an interesting comment, since Class-A "sound" is far more influenced by design goals. A low feedback Class-A will have much different distortion products versus Class-A with more feedback, and that is not even taking into account voicing.

If someone makes a transparent sounding Class-A, i.e. neutral, not voiced, and no intentional distortion, then it would be closer to the Benchmark who has very low distortion at low power, somewhat negating any advantage of say Firstwatt and the justification for most ClassA, i.e. removing zero crossing distortion.

Pass Labs amps come as close to it as possible.

Why not just buy a class A integrated and turn it off when not in use? Why are you leaving it on 24/7? I have a sugden A21se and am very happy. I hardly notice an increase on my electric bill. It’s no different than leaving maybe 2 60 watt bulbs on for long periods, ok maybe 3 60 watts....🙄. When not listening I turn it all off. It only takes about 30 minutes for mine to completely warm up and sound its best. This question reminds me of another on here....mainly, what dac sounds most like analog....ugh, you know my answer to that one....