New Class A

[cjackson]

My Technics amps has a logo "New Class A" although not sure what it means

does any one knowwhat new class A means ?- my guess is that the huge Chip inside it with vents on it means it has oober power ?

Also another thing I was listening to a well loved vinyl the other day and cranked it a bit while the neighbors were out and noticed at quite high volume it almost sounded like Microphone feedback but I dont even have a MIC socket. What could this be ??

My Turntable is a Technics SL-J110R and amp is SU-X120

Cheers

 

[chebby]

That is good old fashioned feedback through a lightweight and microphonic plastic turntable body. Not the fault of your amp but due to unfortunate positioning of the turntable. (This is why the excellent Technics SL-1200/1210 has a heavy cast metal plinth with a solid rubber base.)

The "Super Class A" is meaningless. It is not a true Class A amplifier (which tend to be less powerful not more powerful).

 

[cjackson]

Right I thought it might have been down to the turntable,

I'm after upgrading the amp, would a Pioneer A-400 be a worthy upgrade my speakers are Wharfedale S500's 125Watts with Enhanced Bass Systems, I also have a Rotel RCD965BX CDP and Pioneer PDM-426 6 CD.

And my Technics is New Class A not super

although there probably isn't a difference

Cheers

 

[matthewpiano]

Not entirely true.

I agree that 'New Class A' doesn't mean the Technics is a true class A amplifier and, yes, it is true that proper class A designs tend to have fairly low output power (witness the Marantz PM7200 for example which in class A mode drops to 20wpc).

However there is a little more to the concept than 'meaningless' suggests. In the late 70s/early 80s there was a big push to achieve lower and lower distortion figures from amplifiers. Consequently several manufacturers aimed to combine the low-distortion benefits of a class A design with the cooler running and higher power of a class B. Technics came up with 'New Class A' and later 'Class AA', JVC had their 'Super A' circuit, and Pioneer employed non-switching design into several of their amps for quite some time, including the un-conventionally designed 'Communication Component' A-series amps of 1981. Whilst no substitute for something like an MF or Sugden true class A design, these amps certainly seem to sound sweeter and cleaner than their more conventional equivalents of the time and some of the better ones still attract decent levels of interest even now.

However, where the whole thing falls down, is when the other components within an amplifier are lower grade or where the concept was applied within plastic-era and less well-built midi sized units.

Today the concept has less benefits and a well designed class B design with a proper over-sized toroidal transformer, high-grade capacitors and good quality chassis can achieve incredible results without the need to try and mimic class A.

Class A tends to work best in more expensive designs such as those by Sugden or Musical Fidelity, where it can be implemented with proper attention to its deficiencies as well as its advantages.

 

[matthewpiano]

Oh, and regarding the A400 it is excellent but very fussy about partnering equipment.

Ditch the 6-disc and keep the Rotel, which will work brilliantly with the Pioneer. Then look to buy some better speakers - even picking up a pair of Mission 760s or the original 780s (available for pocket money these days) would mark a major improvement.

 

[chebby]

Seriously.

Sell the lot and look at something like a Cambridge Audio amp/CD system from Richer sounds with some new Mordaunt Short or Wharfedale or Q Acoustics speakers.

It won't cost a lot (Richers do some fabulous whole system deals).

When you have recovered from that get a Rega P1 (£199) to play your vinyl.

 

[cjackson]

Thanks for all of your helpful advice, it will betaken on board and I'll seriously think about it!

Thanks alot guys!

 

[cjackson]

Just sold the lot but not for much I must admit as it wasn't exactly audophile stuff, have got my bedroom system in place now as a stand in until I get a new system!!!

so check out my system now lol Kenwood UD-70

It's certainly going to be a bit weird for a while!

 

[Anonymous]

get an old fashioned Pioneer SA-9800 .... works in class A, then switches to class B ... when it eventually gives probs and needs a service, have it recapped by a technician and use good capacitors such as Elna Silmic II or Blackgate FK

you may find one for less than £350

 

[chebby]

Or...

Something like Marantz PM-6003 & CD-6003 for £599 and £200 off ANY speakers! (Including any clearance speakers.)

(If the speakers are normally £200 then they are free,)

 

[the record spot]

There's a Sansui AU-717 on Ebay right now and it's the pick of the bunch for me. The Pioneer will go for over £400, and maybe as high as £600 as recent models have. The Sansui is unknown by and large over here, built to the highest standards internally - handbuilt pretty much 100%, the engineer checking mine out and fixing it up is doing the same and it's taken him a while, true dual mono circuitry internally, weighs a ton, 85wpc (and then some) and it sings like an utter winner.

I go tmine for £177, plus about £20 postage. The one on Ebay right now looks like it's in even better nick than mine (and that was good) plus it's been serviced. I know where I'd be going, no question.

 

[cjackson]

Thanks for all the help guys I am watching that Sansui on ebay that caught my eye a few days ago.. powerful little beastie and I do like Sansui stuff and it looks pristine!!

 

[the record spot]

I should add, the Sansui AU-217 isn't a million miles away in terms of sound from it's bigger brother. They crop up often, and don't be put off by the 30wpc rating. It's a great amp and you'll pick one up for less tha n£50, often in great shape. See also the the rest of the -17 range. The 317 appears too from time to time (50wpc and some more functionality on the front fascia).

 

[grimmers]

i will lay of bidding for the sansui then, i just recently bought a hk3490 and today picked up a hk980 cd player from the clearance at richers, the 980 will be used as a transport only, was seriously lusting after a big sansui in the seventies , but ended up with a big pioneer, was ok but not that great

 

[cjackson]

You dont have to lay of bidding for me, I wont be placing any bids as havent got the cash right now but I am interested to see how much it goes for.

I like Pioneer stuff - I'm a sucker for them!

Cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd have this Luxman L-5 for £200 instead of the Sansui

 

[manicm]

We once had a Technics SU-V4X 'New Class A' amp, and it was utterly brilliant. Whether it was true Class A or not I don't know, but it ran pretty damn hot.

To my ears it beat the Pioneer A400 which we had for a while as well.

The Technics 'New Class AA' amps however were rubbish.

 

[the record spot]

dim_span:I'd have this Luxman L-5 for £200 instead of the Sansui

Come back when you've heard the 717 and say that.

EDIT: Actually, my mate in Newcastle has one of those. I'll see if I can borrow it and let you know what I reckon.