In respect of solid-state amps, are Class A ones always superior to Class B in terms of soundstaging, stereo imaging, clarity, transparency etc.? And what about Class AB amps?
Class A vs Class B amplification
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Genuine Class A amps are generally superior by design - and will sound superior as well.
Look up the new Music Fidelity AMS35i amp - a pure Class A amp with 35w / channel and at 6k!
Got 5 big globes in the 'other' mag - reviewer emphasing its smooth, open sound, and that he genuinely could not find anything wrong with it.
Look up the new Music Fidelity AMS35i amp - a pure Class A amp with 35w / channel and at 6k!
Got 5 big globes in the 'other' mag - reviewer emphasing its smooth, open sound, and that he genuinely could not find anything wrong with it.
manicm:
Genuine Class A amps are generally superior by design - and will sound superior as well.
Don't let the Naim fans hear you... Naim is straight Class B....
Genuine Class A amps are generally superior by design - and will sound superior as well.
Don't let the Naim fans hear you... Naim is straight Class B....
my main amp's description is as follows (Pioneer SA-9800):
"Pioneer's super-linear Ring Emitter Transistors (RETs), used for power output in the Magni-Wide amps in conjunction with a unique biasing circuit, solve the distortion and power problems. The Pioneer Vari-Bias circuit (PVB) causes the RETs to operate without switching or crossover, virtually as Class A power amps. Like the smooth automatic transmission of a car, it ensures a supersmooth "ride" for the electrons of the audio signal."
Don't have a clue what they are saying, but have read that the first few watts are in class A (which is supposed to be very good for listening at low volumes) ... I also have a loudness toggle which works brilliantly
"Pioneer's super-linear Ring Emitter Transistors (RETs), used for power output in the Magni-Wide amps in conjunction with a unique biasing circuit, solve the distortion and power problems. The Pioneer Vari-Bias circuit (PVB) causes the RETs to operate without switching or crossover, virtually as Class A power amps. Like the smooth automatic transmission of a car, it ensures a supersmooth "ride" for the electrons of the audio signal."
Don't have a clue what they are saying, but have read that the first few watts are in class A (which is supposed to be very good for listening at low volumes) ... I also have a loudness toggle which works brilliantly
Mine is Sugden AB class. You can really hear that on lower levels it's really nice and clear sounding. After 9 'o clock it becomes a B amp. Trades a little clarity for greater dynamics.
SlickenSmooth:Mine is Sugden AB class. You can really hear that on lower levels it's really nice and clear sounding. After 9 'o clock it becomes a B amp. Trades a little clarity for greater dynamics.
never been past the 8 o'clock position ... if I do, will 'pop' my speakers and the neighbours 'neighbours' will be phoning the Environmental Police ... 7:30 is as loud as I go
never been past the 8 o'clock position ... if I do, will 'pop' my speakers and the neighbours 'neighbours' will be phoning the Environmental Police ... 7:30 is as loud as I go
dim_span:
SlickenSmooth:Mine is Sugden AB class. You can really hear that on lower levels it's really nice and clear sounding. After 9 'o clock it becomes a B amp. Trades a little clarity for greater dynamics.
never been past the 8 o'clock position ... if I do, will 'pop' my speakers and the neighbours 'neighbours' will be phoning the Environmental Police ... 7:30 is as loud as I go
Does your amp start at 10:00 or 6:00? My old Naim started at 6:00 and was too loud above 9. Didn't give you control.
SlickenSmooth:Mine is Sugden AB class. You can really hear that on lower levels it's really nice and clear sounding. After 9 'o clock it becomes a B amp. Trades a little clarity for greater dynamics.
never been past the 8 o'clock position ... if I do, will 'pop' my speakers and the neighbours 'neighbours' will be phoning the Environmental Police ... 7:30 is as loud as I go
Does your amp start at 10:00 or 6:00? My old Naim started at 6:00 and was too loud above 9. Didn't give you control.
Like anything else you can have a dodgy class A design as well as good one (same as AB) but I have to admit that I am very much prefer the Class A's "reach out and touch" sound. I had Sugden MasterClass which was one helluva amps and of course, my current Vitus ss-010 is also a pure class A design, just one of those rare music making machine....so addictive.
Rob_manchester:dim_span:
SlickenSmooth:Mine is Sugden AB class. You can really hear that on lower levels it's really nice and clear sounding. After 9 'o clock it becomes a B amp. Trades a little clarity for greater dynamics.
never been past the 8 o'clock position ... if I do, will 'pop' my speakers and the neighbours 'neighbours' will be phoning the Environmental Police ... 7:30 is as loud as I go
Does your amp start at 10:00 or 6:00? My old Naim started at 6:00 and was too loud above 9. Didn't give you control.
mine starts at 6 o'clock... works best at 7:30-7:45 ... even then my wife complains when it's late at night and says it's too loud ... not sure how many watts are class A ...
SlickenSmooth:Mine is Sugden AB class. You can really hear that on lower levels it's really nice and clear sounding. After 9 'o clock it becomes a B amp. Trades a little clarity for greater dynamics.
never been past the 8 o'clock position ... if I do, will 'pop' my speakers and the neighbours 'neighbours' will be phoning the Environmental Police ... 7:30 is as loud as I go
Does your amp start at 10:00 or 6:00? My old Naim started at 6:00 and was too loud above 9. Didn't give you control.
mine starts at 6 o'clock... works best at 7:30-7:45 ... even then my wife complains when it's late at night and says it's too loud ... not sure how many watts are class A ...
Mine starts at 6. We live in a newly built house. So the isolation is very good. The neighbours never complain! I can play out music loud at 3 in the morning if i'd want to... Now that I have a baby though it's a different story...
Thaiman:Like anything else you can have a dodgy class A design as well as good one (same as AB) but I have to admit that I am very much prefer the Class A's "reach out and touch" sound. I had Sugden MasterClass which was one helluva amps and of course, my current Vitus ss-010 is also a pure class A design, just one of those rare music making machine....so addictive.
I look forward to buy a Sugden Masterclass amp next year! I am already saving up! I demoed one and it was so sweer and musical. Lot of air in between the instruments... makes me want to go buy one right now..
I look forward to buy a Sugden Masterclass amp next year! I am already saving up! I demoed one and it was so sweer and musical. Lot of air in between the instruments... makes me want to go buy one right now..
SlickenSmooth:Mine starts at 6. We live in a newly built house. So the isolation is very good. The neighbours never complain! I can play out music loud at 3 in the morning if i'd want to... Now that I have a baby though it's a different story...
One on the way so trying to get volume in whilst I can! Also there's something tragic about foreseeing a great hifi playing host to nursery rhyme cds! I can see myself trotting off to my amp manufacturer and asking for a headphone amp...
One on the way so trying to get volume in whilst I can! Also there's something tragic about foreseeing a great hifi playing host to nursery rhyme cds! I can see myself trotting off to my amp manufacturer and asking for a headphone amp...
Rob_manchester:
SlickenSmooth:Mine starts at 6. We live in a newly built house. So the isolation is very good. The neighbours never complain! I can play out music loud at 3 in the morning if i'd want to... Now that I have a baby though it's a different story...
One on the way so trying to get volume in whilst I can! Also there's something tragic about foreseeing a great hifi playing host to nursery rhyme cds! I can see myself trotting off to my amp manufacturer and asking for a headphone amp...
HAhaha yeah. Luckily during the day when he's awake I can play some loud music. As he starts to dance and smile! But yeah the first 7 months forget it. If you come home every day late from work when he's already sleeping forget it.. heheh It's good to have an amp that's good at low listening levels.
SlickenSmooth:Mine starts at 6. We live in a newly built house. So the isolation is very good. The neighbours never complain! I can play out music loud at 3 in the morning if i'd want to... Now that I have a baby though it's a different story...
One on the way so trying to get volume in whilst I can! Also there's something tragic about foreseeing a great hifi playing host to nursery rhyme cds! I can see myself trotting off to my amp manufacturer and asking for a headphone amp...
HAhaha yeah. Luckily during the day when he's awake I can play some loud music. As he starts to dance and smile! But yeah the first 7 months forget it. If you come home every day late from work when he's already sleeping forget it.. heheh It's good to have an amp that's good at low listening levels.
Thaiman:Like anything else you can have a dodgy class A design as well as good one (same as AB) but I have to admit that I am very much prefer the Class A's "reach out and touch" sound. I had Sugden MasterClass which was one helluva amps and of course, my current Vitus ss-010 is also a pure class A design, just one of those rare music making machine....so addictive.
That's it......I'm looking for that "reach out and touch" sound!
That's it......I'm looking for that "reach out and touch" sound!
SlickenSmooth:I look forward to buy a Sugden Masterclass amp next year! I am already saving up! I demoed one and it was so sweer and musical. Lot of air in between the instruments... makes me want to go buy one right now..
And I'm looking forward to buy the Leema Tucana II next year! Heard it's a class AB amp.....can anyone verify?
Oh dear.....I've just embarked on the road of no return.....the holy grail of sonic heaven!
And I'm looking forward to buy the Leema Tucana II next year! Heard it's a class AB amp.....can anyone verify?
Oh dear.....I've just embarked on the road of no return.....the holy grail of sonic heaven!
Since you are in Asia, make sure you check out the Usher P1.5 power amp with its class A design. Don't know about Malaysia, but a relative bargain compared to EU and USA.
take it easy jtein
what thaiman says is right but note his speakers their some of the best you can get and to get the sound you want a simple amp upgrade isnt going to do it
what thaiman says is right but note his speakers their some of the best you can get and to get the sound you want a simple amp upgrade isnt going to do it
one off:
take it easy jtein
what thaiman says is right but note his speakers their some of the best you can get and to get the sound you want a simple amp upgrade isnt going to do it
I usually agree with the source first rule, but the difference a good Class A amp makes can be startling.
take it easy jtein
what thaiman says is right but note his speakers their some of the best you can get and to get the sound you want a simple amp upgrade isnt going to do it
I usually agree with the source first rule, but the difference a good Class A amp makes can be startling.
i have a class a amp so dont disagree manicm but those speakers are simply wonderful and not cheap about £7000 or £8000 i think
its the whole package that gives you the sound after all
its the whole package that gives you the sound after all
one off:take it easy jtein
what thaiman says is right but note his speakers their some of the best you can get and to get the sound you want a simple amp upgrade isnt going to do it
Just don't mind me one off, I'm just being silly. But it's nice to have a project to work on. I just hope I don't turn into a pathological audiophile junkie!
what thaiman says is right but note his speakers their some of the best you can get and to get the sound you want a simple amp upgrade isnt going to do it
Just don't mind me one off, I'm just being silly. But it's nice to have a project to work on. I just hope I don't turn into a pathological audiophile junkie!
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