Accuphase amplifier choice

@milpai +1 "I would go with an Accuphase Class AB amp rather than a Class A amp"

I see some fellow AP ppl confusion btw Accupahse A and AB class, here is my educated opinion: 

Accuphase class A amps are AB class amplifiers biased to the clipping point for 8+ Ohms load.. Accuphase class A amps are AB class amps if load is below 8 Ohms, e.g 6/4/2 Ohms. Thus there is not much difference between Accuphase AB and A class amps! Accuphase class A amps have a bit lower power supply voltage, which lowers peak dynamic range. Accuphase technical lead engineer when asked what amp he has at home, answered P7300, classic AB class! 

Pass Labs have real class A amps, very hot ones! LOL 

And what's your point? Have you owned Accuphase amplifiers? I did , 3 actually - E800S,  P4600 and A48-S.  I've also demo'd E5000, P7500 and A80 amplifiers. There are distinctive differences between Class A and Class AB. I've demo'd each and every one of these amplifiers with an array of speakers including Fyne Vintage 15, Fyne F1-12S, PS Aspen FR20, Klipsch LaScala AL5 and AL6,  Klipsch Cornwall to name a few. I've also compared Accuphase Class-A with other amplifiers (I used to own a McIntosh) and I can tell you that Accuphase Class-A amplifiers are in a league of their own and the majority of time and with appropriately matched speakers, Accuphase Class-A amplifiers operate as pure Class A. But if you favor distortion because you think you need a big powerful amp to drive your inefficient spkrs rather than an amplifier that delivers exceptional sonic clarity and true fidelity then sure stick to your Class-AB amifier. 

@fire_water 

You can use bananas no problem. 

Good to know - thanks

@westcoastaudiophile 

@milpai +1 "I would go with an Accuphase Class AB amp rather than a Class A amp"

As you would know, this is true purely for my not-so-efficient speakers. If I had a 95+ db efficient speakers then the A-48S would be no brainer. But after reading a lot of user experiences and seeing a lot of Accuphase videos and finally going back and forth on AI, I have come to the conclusion that Accuphase Class A are definitely warmer compared to the Class AB. And I really do not need more warmth in my system.

@fire_water "and I can tell you that Accuphase Class-A amplifiers are in a league of their own and the majority of time and with appropriately matched speakers, Accuphase Class-A amplifiers operate as pure Class A. "

what is "appropriately matched speakers”?

again, Accuphase class A amps are biased warmer than AB (higher idle power), and have wider class A mode full power range, but only if speaker impedance is higher than 8 Ohms (re) across all frequencies.. 

..I do have two Accuphase amps, AB and A, A class one sound warmer at 10W+ power vs AB.. I understand as you don’t have any Accuphase amps in your setup now..?

@fire_water , @westcoastaudiophil,  I posed this question to AI and below is the response:

Short answer:
Yes, Accuphase’s “Class A” amplifiers (like the A-series, e.g. A-48, A-75, etc.) are true Class A designs within their rated power range — but they are heavily biased so that they operate in pure Class A up to their full rated output into 8 Ω, and transition smoothly toward Class AB beyond that.

Here’s what’s going on technically

• Class A operation means the output devices (transistors) conduct current throughout the entire signal cycle (360°), so they never fully turn off. This eliminates crossover distortion but wastes a lot of power as heat.

• Class AB means the devices conduct more than half the cycle but less than the full 360°, improving efficiency but introducing potential crossover distortion.

• Accuphase’s “pure Class A” line is biased so that the output devices conduct continuously for the rated output — for example:

  • The A-48 is rated at 45 W/8 Ω in pure Class A.

  • It will remain in pure Class A up to that point, but can deliver higher peaks (around 90 W or more) because of its headroom. Beyond the rated point, it behaves like a Class AB amp, meaning it leaves Class A operation smoothly rather than abruptly clipping.

• Accuphase achieves this with very high idle bias current and sophisticated thermal management. You can confirm this by noting their heat output — these amps run hot even at idle, a hallmark of true Class A biasing.

In short