Amp/Preamp Asylum

RE: Yes, even Pass Labs Class A get hot....

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In Reply to: RE: Yes, even Pass Labs Class A get hot.... posted by Mr Peabody on April 11, 2017 at 17:40:10

Nirvana Electronic Works (N.E.W) A-20 - a nice little amp you can sometimes find at reasonable prices.

Original Monarchy SM-70 - the ORIGINAL SM-70 is biased pretty far into Class A, runs in class A down to maybe 2~3 ohms load. Gives you about 25 watts a channel @ 8 ohms. (Son't confuse the "SM-70 Pro" models for class A, they are high-bias class A/B, not class A. I've owned both. The "original" SM-70 sounds better IMHO.) A pair of them, each driven with balanced input in mono, makes a really great amplifier or about 100 watts a side for under $1,000. Because they have no global feedback, their harmonic output is rich in second-order and low in higher-order harmonics, giving these amps a somewhat tube-like character.

Forte 4a, 50 watts @ 8 ohms, 100 watts @ 4 ohms, class- A. With the Soderburg mods, these amps sound WONDERFUL.

I own all the above and can vouch for their sound and reliability.

I do not own but have read that the Pioneer M-22 amplifier- 22 watts / channel @ 8 ohms, class A- is a very good amplifier.

ANd then there are a number of current and vintage Luxman class-A products which have their following.

I have owned some vintage Yamaha "silver" integrated amps which can be switched into low-power class-A mode. I was not terribly impressed with these.

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