Jump to content

Class A, is there a big difference with SQ??


Recommended Posts

Hi

 

Iv been doing alot of reserch on a good intrgrated amplifier, and have demoed Primare, MF, PL, exposure, krell and audio lab my budget would be under MAX 3K..But iv also been seening intregrated amp with power with only 35w 8ohm CLASS A amp compare to 75w 100w standard amps etc.

 

With Class A amps they do cost more but with low wattage, "dont understand" ;(

 

Iv read alot on Sugden products go really well with Proacs

 

Is it worth getting a Class A intregrated amp driving my Proac D28??

 

Internet is doing my head in, any experiance anyone please

 

thank you

Link to comment
Share on other sites



Guest yamaha_man

I wouldn't get a class a integrated and certainly not at your budget price.

Decent class a integrated amps generally tend to have 5 figure pricing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

00'000 = five figures 5k = four figures. ;)  Can you borrow someones Class A amp & put it into your system to get a better idea?Even if only for 1/2 an hour the experience will be invaluable.

Edited by groot
Link to comment
Share on other sites



Hi

 

Iv been doing alot of reserch on a good intrgrated amplifier, and have demoed Primare, MF, PL, exposure, krell and audio lab my budget would be under MAX 3K..But iv also been seening intregrated amp with power with only 35w 8ohm CLASS A amp compare to 75w 100w standard amps etc.

 

With Class A amps they do cost more but with low wattage, "dont understand" ;(

 

Iv read alot on Sugden products go really well with Proacs

 

Is it worth getting a Class A intregrated amp driving my Proac D28??

 

Internet is doing my head in, any experiance anyone please

 

thank you

 

The internet can be a very valuable resource. The big problem is sorting out the truth from the lies. Here's the Reader's Digest version:

 

There are several different classes of amplifiers. Each exhibits a different efficiency (how much electricity is converted into heat, vs. how much is converted into sound). The THEORETICAL efficiency figures are (actual figures are always lower - numbers do not include power supply losses):

 

Class A: 25% (single ended). 50% (push pull)

Class B: 74%

Class A/B: 50% ~ 74%.(This is the most common type of amp)

Class D: 90 ~ 95%.

 

The worst case scenario is single ended Class A. To obtain 25 Watts of audio, requires 100 Watts of electricity (plus power supply and other losses). 

 

With lower efficiency amps, bigger, more expensive heat sinks and power supplies are required. Thus, Class A amps tend to cost more than Class A/B amps.

 

Whilst much is written about Class A being the best available, the reality is somewhat murkier. In very general terms, any Class A/B or Class B amp can be forced into operating as a Class A amp, provided adequate cooling and power supply needs can be met. Again, in general terms, an ordinary quality Class A/B amp can be made to sound better when forced into Class A operation. HOWEVER, a well designed Class A/B amp will not benefit from Class A operation.

 

MORAL: Choose a decent quality Class A/B amp. Ignore the hype and listen for yourself. 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not wanting to highjack, or throw it in another direction, but try to have a listen to an ME " IN " your system at home......you will be amazed at what you get for such little money.

Ask our friend Zaph....I am sure he could help /guide you.

Just do it before you spend any money.... I did and saved me heaps :thumb:

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A big difference in sound quality? - only you can truly answer that by listening!.

 

The class of the amplifier, refers to its design topology, and within an amps design there are many variables. Some designs are good some are not, and the design implementation (the build) matters... a lot. Simply because an amp is labeled Class A -does not mean it will by definition "sound better" than any other amplifier in any other class.  

 

Generally when you see the definition Class A - it refers to the output stage of a power amplifier, where the output devices are always conducting or on to a degree, hence the heat and inefficiencies. I'd suggest that in most cases the input and driver stages of an amplifier operate in Class A. Trevor could comment here on this better than me...  

 

Classes of amplifier and amplifier design and topology could fill an entire forum on SNA.

 

And there is the synergy with your speakers as you rightly point out. I've had "Class A" amps driving speakers and the result was ordinary, then I hooked up my NAD 3020 and the speakers sounded much better --- to me. Also consider your desired listening level. A low powered amplifier could be just fine for your use. This way you do not need to push the amplifier to its limits to get the sound you require.

 

Guys have mentioned ME amps. These may be considered "vintage" to a degree, so do not exclude older amplifiers in your search. As refers above some vintage amplifiers are superbly designed and built, and can sound truly spectacular. However you need to generally factor in servicing and refurbishment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites



but try to have a listen to an ME " IN ", Dont understand, please explain, sorry

 

meanng try to listen to an ME amplifier at home as part of your existing system. This is the best way to audition any component.. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to throw a spanner in here.

 

Pass labs class a/b (int  x  x.5  x.8) amplifiers all run class 'A' for the first ~10 watts (amount varies depending on amplifier model), then migrate into class 'AB'.

 

From what I've heard from others, ME amps are supposed to be something really special.

 

As with all audio purchases, the best way is to try it in your system at home.

Sadly this is not always possible....

Link to comment
Share on other sites



Pass labs make 2 integrated amps. They are identical except that one is class A (INT 3A 30W) and the other A/B (INT150. 150W). I have not been able to try the 3A version but I can say that the INT 150 is VERY good. I preferred it over bryston and moon separates. Sadly both are waay out of your price range and I have never seen one secondhand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to throw a spanner in here.

 

Pass labs class a/b (int  x  x.5  x.8) amplifiers all run class 'A' for the first ~10 watts (amount varies depending on amplifier model), then migrate into class 'AB'.

 

From what I've heard from others, ME amps are supposed to be something really special.

 

As with all audio purchases, the best way is to try it in your system at home.

Sadly this is not always possible....

 

There are quite a few amps that will run in class A for the first few watts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

MORAL: Choose a decent quality Class A/B amp. Ignore the hype and listen for yourself. 

Agreed. That saved me a lot of typing.

 

In addition, if an amp has a detectable signature, it is faulty.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest yamaha_man

00'000 = five figures 5k = four figures. ;)  Can you borrow someones Class A amp & put it into your system to get a better idea?Even if only for 1/2 an hour the experience will be invaluable.

Exactly! 5 figure is what I mean ie, over $9999.00

Try buying a decent, new, class a integrated amp for less and see what you end up with.

Secondhand you may find a Gryphon, Luxman or similar for 4 figures.

You could always get something from China but..........

Link to comment
Share on other sites



Guest yamaha_man

Depending upon where you live in Victoria l have a Krell FPB-600 and ME-1500 l could bring over with a Krell KRC-HR pre.

This will give you a great taste as to what class a can achieve, sadly every item I just mentioned exceeds your budget.

Edited by yamaha_man
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Depending upon where you live in Victoria l have a Krell FPB-600 and ME-1500 l could bring over with a Krell KRC-HR pre.

This will give you a great taste as to what class a can achieve, sadly every item I just mentioned exceeds your budget.

wow thats a very nice offer..thank you very much but yeah at that level that will cost to much lol

 

Thank you kindly.....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...
To Top