Higher-End Class A/B vs. Class A Integrateds

If you are near a Pass Labs dealer you could always compare a class A/B directly to Class A. Pass Labs drop out of pure A at their rated output to A/B and keep going producing more power. You would have a chance to see say what an X line can do, what an XA/Int can do in class A then up the power requirements to get everything into A/B. 

If they have another high biased A amp available then you have more to directly compare to.

I've got an MSB S-200 integrated amp; their design has, per the manual, "pure class A stage to increase the voltage signal, and class A-B stage with no voltage gain to increase the current supplied.". This amp was in the $10,000 range when it was new (I bought a demo), and it sounds awesome; the only part of my hi-fi system I've had no interest in upgrading over the past 10 years. 

I appreciate the replies. I have heard a friend’s Class A PBN amp (not integrated). I liked the sound I heard but yes, it would nice to do a direct comparison..

I don’t know how much power it puts out in Class A and I asked him and he doesn’t know.

It’s a huge, heavy amp with a single meter that I think indicates current not db’s.

He has money and just buys stuff. LOL!

I’m looking to spend no more than $5000 preferably used.

I bought my Sonus Faber speakers at Audio Concepts in Dallas.  They sell Luxman, D'Augostino, Boulder, McIntosh, Naim and Moon by Simaudio.

I'll have to try and see if they can set me up with a direct comparison using my speakers.

@nicktheknife 

I would caution you on the pure Class A Luxman integrateds (20W & 30W) driving a difficult load/ low sensitivity speaker. They will produce very little bass to the extent that you would think a component is broken. I tried to power a pair of KEF Ref 1Metas with a 590 AXII, those speakers ate the integrated up. Their M10X is a different story though and produced prodigous bass.