Narrowing down choices in a power amp


Hello all,

I am looking for advice / specific models on a power amp for my existing system.

At this time, Baetis Music Server, AES/USB into T+A DAC 8, feeding into Mark Levinson 326S, feeding a ML 532H, into B&W 802 D2.  Turntable is barely ever used.
 

The ML 532H is making occasional popping sound from 1 channel and then drops out. It owes me very little, I have used it for about 10 years, daily, for a few hours a day. Largish room, low volume listening, mostly blues, pop, rock.

Quality of sound is way more important than volume, I can likely live with a few watts of Class A power. 

Per a previous post, it seems like some initial Class A is a really good goal. 

Pass Labs and their dealer has recommended at a minimum a X250.8, with minimum 14 wpc Class A.  The XA60.8 is not recommended.

Classe Delta Monoblocks have 35 wpc Class A, and get great reviews. Likely some development with my speakers in mind.

Classe Delta Stereo had 12 wpc Class A. Also get great reviews.

Benchmark AHB2 is sort of Class A, no one seems to talk about how musical / engaging / sound stage.

McIntosh MC462 has great reviews, no Class A, I don't need 450 wpc anyways.

Luxman M10X has 12 wpc Class A, seems like a very happy following, I am intrigued. More power than I need but, hey.

Simaudio Moon 400M, 10 wpc Class A, can't find any in depth reviews.

Mark Levinson 536 monoblocks, no Class A, great reviews and I have a ML preamp. 

Hegel H30A, hi bias AB amp, great reviews, not Class A.

I am sure there are other brands.  Being 3 hours away from the closest stereo shop, with snow covered roads, not helping getting out.

So, my research, and it all comes down to not being able to get out to audition, likely until health and roads are better.  

Musicality, engagement, sound quality are way more important than sheer volume. 

Thoughts?

 

 

robeffy

Electrocompaniet AW250R    Stereo  amplifier

Electrocompaniet  AW 300 M  Mono  Power Amplifier

 

Don’t listen to people who warn you against hot power amps and efficient power amps. They’re a bunch of well you know what I mean. Go for what sounds best even if it might heat the hell out of your house. If it sounds great , yay! Go for it!! 

Largish room, low volume listening, mostly blues, pop, rock.

I’m a fan of lower power amps, but in general if you like to listen at lower volumes, I’d say get an amp with some power. Steve Guttenberg just reviewed the SPL amp and he’s a low-power guy, too, but he made the important point that getting a system to "snap to attention" is important, especially for lower volume listening. Try to get an amp that will discipline (not punish) your speakers, and bring out their potential at lower volumes. 

The Benchmark is an amazing amp, very characterless. If you want no color, this is your amp. For my tastes, this amp combined with B&W would be a bad combination – to bright, sterile. I'd be more curious about Pass, Coda, etc.