Choosing a Solid State Class A/B integrated amp


I have been committed to Integrated amps for over 10 years and have had a few, mainly Class a tube amps. I love what tubes, SET amps in particular, have to offer. The speed , mid range clarity and neutrality, can be pretty addictive. I have 2 integrated amps I use at the moment,both excellent, an Ayon Spark 20 watt SET and 50 watt hybrid Class A Pathos Inpol2.

The rest of the system is:
Mac Mini into an Ayre QB9 DAC for digital
TW Accustic Raven one/Ortofon 309D arm/Benz Micro LP cartridge
Daedalus DA-RMA speakers

Music choice is pretty eclectic, classical,Jazz,blues, singer Songwriter, not much rock, as such.

The system is great, but I know Lou at Daedalus likes higher ouput amps, particularly Modwright, despite his speakers being high sensitivity, so I would like to swap one of my amps for a higher output SS, or tube unit. .

My only exposure to a Class A/B SS integrated, was not a success. I tried the Karan K180 integrated and found it dull, slow and lifeless in my system, despite it's good reputation. Likewise, I have'nt often enjoyed the higher output push/pull tube units I have heard.

Any suggestions then for an integrated amp under $10000 new, though I would probably buy it cheaper, second hand. My ideal would be a Dartzeel H8550, which I have loved, every time I have heard it, but it's too expensive for me, even second hand. The new Modwright K200, is an obvious candidate. The reviews say is it is on the warm side of neutral, which I would like, but I have'nt heard it.

Give me some suggestions guys, thanks
david12
I'll let you know. I'm also going to try for a demo of the Plinius 9200 and the Modwright KWI 200. I don't doubt what you say about class a. I'm personally looking for an amp I can leave on.
If it's something that you can leave on, hard to fault the Bel Canto line.

Have a listen to the C7R which uses third gen ASX ICEpower modules. Ditto with the W4S MiNT
Class A is the best for sound, period.

I'm currently using a class A amp, but I wonder about this.

Is class A better at any given pricepoint? Or is it better only if cost is no object (and you can buy as many of those expensive watts as your speakers need)?

Is class A better for every kind of music (for thumping rock as well as small scale vocals)?

John
Hi John,

Nice! What do you have?

It is, to both. Class A is usually not cheap, however.
That's the point I'm afraid. Whether tube or SS, Class A seems always to sound better than A/B. I don't need massive power, 90 to 150 watts will do, but that gets you into Class A/B, or ruinously expensive Class A.

The question is, what units get you nearest to the virtues of Class A and there are some helpful suggestions, thanks