Question about Class A

@mesch , as far as AVA HiFi is concerned, I would consider the AMP, not the Integrated or Control Amplifier as they call it.

Either the SET 400 or SET 120 Amps with the Vincent functioning as a Pre-Amp, I think it would make a good combo. As you stated about your previous SV-236, I really would hate to give up my Vincent. It certainly is a sweet sounding unit.

But if I decide on the Sugden, then no, choice, I would have to let it go.

For my sources, I have an external DAC (Queststyle CMA400i), MoFi Studio Deck TT with a Hana SL MC Cart and a Technics SL-G700 SACD Player. So I feel my sources are pretty decent.

Yea, I am not in a rush, need to make sure I get the right unit.

@blackfly , I've never heard the Luxman's but I can imagine they must be awesome, especially the 590 that you refer to. Just way out of budget though. But they are beautiful for sure.

But you stated, I really want to hear what Class A is all about, Hopefully Soon.

You’re going down the right road looking for class A, don’t listen to anyone who says that a properly made class D amp has the qualities you seem to seek. A, A/B, D etc. each have a flavor.  Although some A/B are biased for a handful of watts at the top. .

don’t listen to anyone who says that a properly made class D amp has the qualities you seem to seek. A, A/B, D etc. each have a flavor.  Although some A/B are biased for a handful of watts at the top.

IME You can't judge any amplifier by its class of operation. For example class D amps vary in sound just as much as tube amps do- some are quite nice, others make you wonder what the fuss is about. The 'flavor' of any amplifier is essentially its distortion characteristics.  Some designers know this and others don't.

@atmasphere

IME You can’t judge any amplifier by its class of operation.

wisdom from ralph yet again

people confuse technologies with results... those folks lack a fundamental understanding of engineering, which is to make specific technologies work to achieve targeted performance parameters

just like dacs when people say r2r sounds x, delta sigma sounds y... ugh...

This may not help, but it depends.  If you have efficient horn loaded speakers > 95 dB/watt-meter, you may hear a difference.  Most amps are Class A for the first five to 10 watts and switch to Class AB for higher power.  Class A is terribly inefficient, with a theoretical value of 50% conversion to power, the other 50% lost as heat.  In practice the value is 20-25%.  The amp is producing four watts of heat for every one watt of amplification power.

Here are two good technical descriptions about Class A without the audiophile voodoo

https://www.sound-au.com/class-a.htm

In short there is nothing wrong with Class AB.  Performance sound reinforcement, especially in arenas with rock concerts are running AB through PA speakers.  Try the Class A and see if you like it.  If you have the skills, they are very easy to build as there are thousands of designs in the literature.