I seek a Class A amp or amps capable of >=75 WPC, can this community recommend something?

[SoaDMTGguy]

I understand that I am making this more complicated than I need to by asking for Class A. My reasons are my own, and you may call me a fool if you want. if I wanted A/B or D, I would be spoiled for choice, and wouldn’t need to make this post.

I’m happy to go for a pair of mono or bridged amps, indeed I suspect I will have to. However, I’ve had a hard time actually finding any. I would love to get a pair of Aegirs, but as Amir found, they simply lack the punch they claim. I was hoping the Tyr would be Class A, but alas. I’m happy to go used to get a deal.

I realize asking here is a long shot, but I figured it doesn’t hurt to try (unless it does, in which case I bare no ill will on the mod who deletes this post).

 

[thegeton]

Explain to me what I'm hearing from 45W to 80W

Well if by lower volume he means the volume knob on 50% thats tells me very little. Depending on the input level and what type of volume control it is (progressive vs linear) that position may very well be at the max power already. But it still gets louder to my ears, so it’s not at max...

audiosciencereview.com

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

Explain to me what I'm hearing from 45W to 80W

Well if by lower volume he means the volume knob on 50% thats tells me very little. Depending on the input level and what type of volume control it is (progressive vs linear) that position may very well be at the max power already. But it still gets louder to my ears, so it’s not at max...

audiosciencereview.com

Jesus, and that's stereo, too? Those are some *serious* power figures!

 

[fpitas]

I chose class A for my horns to avoid crossover distortion. But these days class D achieves that a lot easier and vastly cheaper.

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

to avoid crossover distortion. But these days class D achieves that a lot easier

How does Class D achieve that when A/B can't? Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.

 

[Mart68]

Krell KSA100 will give a bit more than 100 watts into 8 ohm and are reasonably affordable on the used market. Two grand or so.

Fan cooled though. They're not noisy but you can hear a faint 'woosh' during quiet passages and silence. At least you can with the one I have.

 

[Rja4000]

class D achieves that a lot easier and vastly cheaper.

And cheaper every day.

 

[fpitas]

How does Class D achieve that when A/B can't? Unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying.

You're misunderstanding how class D works. The output transistors are constantly switching. At 0V output they each are On about 50% of the time, and vary away from there to get other output voltages. So, there is nothing special about 0V, and no crossover distortion.

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

Krell KSA100 will give a bit more than 100 watts into 8 ohm and are reasonably affordable on the used market. Two grand or so.

Fan cooled though. They're not noisy but you can hear a faint 'woosh' during quiet passages and silence. At least you can with the one I have.

I once had an ARC amp with a pair of fans, which worried me, but they were silent in operation. So, I'm less opposed to active cooling than I once was. Maybe could de-volt it slightly if it's a problem?

 

[fpitas]

Class D must read papers and publications

I would like to open the thread dealing with important publications on class D amplifiers principles, topologies, characteristics and limitations. One of the great sources is the Hypex publications library at https://www.hypex.nl/p/application-notes-white-papers/ The most explaining and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Mart68]

I once had an ARC amp with a pair of fans, which worried me, but they were silent in operation. So, I'm less opposed to active cooling than I once was. Maybe could de-volt it slightly if it's a problem?

It's not my daily driver and doesn't get used much. Possible that some work on the fans might make them quieter, but when I say it is a slight whoosh I mean it. If you have aircon it's a bit like that only at a lower level. I live in a quiet area and have double glazing so background noise is very low in my room.

Anyway one possibility to consider. You can weld with it too, I read that they actually did that at a show in the 1980s.

 

[mhardy6647]

Mark Levinson (the version of the company that was helmed by Mark Levinson) had some very powerful Class A solid state amplifiers (EDIT: actually, it looks like more of them date to the next era, when Madrigal owned the brand and Mark Levinson''s name*). They sound pretty good, too.
They make excellent room heaters, as well.

_________________
* some "ML" history (the accuracy of which I cannot vouch for)

History: Mark Levinson | Audio Exchange

www.audioexchange.co.za

 

[fpitas]

Uh oh, mhardy is here. He may suggest push-pull triodes in class A

 

[fpitas]

Not asked yet: what do you expect to pay?

 

[SoaDMTGguy]

Mark Levinson (the version of the company that was helmed by Mark Levinson) had some very powerful Class A solid state amplifiers. They sound pretty good, too.
They make excellent room heaters, as well.

What era would that be? I'm a newbie newb who does't know such things XD

Not asked yet: what do you expect to pay?

I can't really go over $2,000, which is why I'm looking at used. I know there are many exotic Class A implementations that cost more than my car, but if that's all there is, I'll have to find another way.

 

[fpitas]

What era would that be? I'm a newbie newb who does't know such things XD


I can't really go over $2,000, which is why I'm looking at used. I know there are many exotic Class A implementations that cost more than my car, but if that's all there is, I'll have to find another way.

At anywhere near 75W, I think it will be expensive. My lowly demonstrator J2 cost $2,600.

 

[mhardy6647]

Uh oh, mhardy is here. He may suggest push-pull triodes in class A

probably have to go push-pull parallel with some 845 or 211 DHTs, eh?
Yowza!

Even I have my limits...

 

[pierre]

I understand that I am making this more complicated than I need to by asking for Class A. My reasons are my own, and you may call me a fool if you want. if I wanted A/B or D, I would be spoiled for choice, and wouldn’t need to make this post.

I’m happy to go for a pair of mono or bridged amps, indeed I suspect I will have to. However, I’ve had a hard time actually finding any. I would love to get a pair of Aegirs, but as Amir found, they simply lack the punch they claim. I was hoping the Tyr would be Class A, but alas. I’m happy to go used to get a deal.

I realize asking here is a long shot, but I figured it doesn’t hurt to try (unless it does, in which case I bare no ill will on the mod who deletes this post).

Try Accuphase, expensive, measure well. They have amp of any size.
https://www.accuphase.com/model/a-300.html

 

[mhardy6647]

What era would that be? I'm a newbie newb who does't know such things XD

I added a link in the earlier post to an ML history (provided by some company I've never heard of, with a "co.za" URL and no location information given).

Try Accuphase, expensive, measure well. They have amp of any size.
https://www.accuphase.com/model/p-7500.html

Very good stuff -- but I don't think they "do" any Class A, do they?
EDIT: Yes. Yes they do "do" Class A.

Accuphase Laboratory, Inc.　Power amplifier

www.accuphase.com

For the OP's benefit. Any moderate to high power Class A amplification, new or used, will be expensive.

 

[radix]

Luxman had some pure class-A, the M-600a and M-800a, maybe others?