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Just so we are clear- class A is the lowest distortion class of operation

You can run class A single-ended or push-pull whether tube or transistor.

So there is a lot of ground to cover here.

But to your question- 'yes' is the simple answer, and comes out of keeping distortion as low as possible.

The human ear converts most forms of distortion into tonality, and in addition has a tipping point where the tonality due to distortion can be favored over actual frequency response errors.

So keeping distortion down is pretty important if you want to have transparency, as distortion will obscure transparency due to the ear's masking principle.

You can suppress distortion by adding loop negative feedback, but its been well-known for the last 60 years that a price is paid for doing so! This involves the addition of higher ordered harmonics and IM distortion that did not exist in the amp otherwise. Of course they are at low levels, but the ear is much more sensitive to higher ordered harmonic distortion than even the best test equipment- it converts the higher ordered harmonic distortion into brightness and hardness.

This is why two amps can have flat frequency response but one might sound bright while the other does not.

Class A operation is one tool in the designer's tool box to help keep distortion down. In doing so, it becomes possible to build an amplifier that is more relaxed and more transparent. Of course there are any number of ways of mucking this up so that the class of operation becomes irrelevant. Much depends on the design!

A lot also depends on your goals. If the best reproduction is your goal then class A will be a part of the equation. If low heat is your goal then class D might be preferable, but it will not be the ultimate in reproduction although it might be quite good. So there is a lot to consider!

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