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philv
27-12-2018, 20:28
How do class A amplifiers tend to compare to valve amplifiers?

The only class A amp i have had was the musical fidelity A1 which i really liked.

In contrast i have had quite a few valve amps.

Thanks
Macca
27-12-2018, 22:25
You can have a class A valve amp you know.
philv
27-12-2018, 22:44
Oh....no i didn’t.
I thought valves were different to ss in tnat resoect.
I thought valves would all be in tne same category.



You can have a class A valve amp you know.
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 22:50
Just Google OTL SET amp. That'll thoroughly confuse you. :)
Macca
27-12-2018, 22:53
Oh....no i didn’t.
I thought valves were different to ss in tnat resoect.
I thought valves would all be in tne same category.

The classes got their letters from the order they were invented in. Class A was the first in like 1905 or something. They didn't have transistors then so all amps were valve amps.


More here https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/amplifier/amplifier-classes.html
Barry
27-12-2018, 22:57
Just Google OTL SET amp. That'll thoroughly confuse you. :)

Or SS amplifiers using an output transformer!
Macca
27-12-2018, 23:00
Then you've got your hybrids with valve input stage, transistor output stage. Nothings simple in audio!
Barry
27-12-2018, 23:05
Then you've got your hybrids with valve input stage, transistor output stage. Nothings simple in audio!

And vice versa .......

(As used in the Acustat 'active' electrostatic speaker.)
Macca
27-12-2018, 23:05
I've got a valve class A and 2 transistor class A amps. The transistor amps sound pretty close to each other. The valve one is noticeable different.


Then you can get valve amps that sound like a 1940s radiogram and valve amps that you would never know was a valve amp just from the sound. And all points in between.


I'd say there is more variation in the sound of valve amps than there is between transistor amps.
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 23:13
Even more confusing, (most) Quad power amps employ a small Class A amp to drive the Class B output section.
philv
27-12-2018, 23:27
Eeeeeeek!

Maybe i just need to buy a nice class a integrated amp, preferably ss, and give it a try.

Any suggestions, with a budget of 500 to 1000?
southall-1998_mk2
27-12-2018, 23:31
Eeeeeeek!

Maybe i just need to buy a nice class a amp, preferably ss, and give it a try.

Any suggestions, with a budget of 500 to 1000?

Watch my avatar pic.

S.
philv
27-12-2018, 23:33
Sugden?

Watch my avatar pic.

S.
walpurgis
27-12-2018, 23:34
Eeeeeeek!

Maybe i just need to buy a nice class a amp, preferably ss, and give it a try.

Any suggestions, with a budget of 500 to 1000?

Probably, your cheapest realistic option is a Chinese import. Our Jules tried one of these and was very enthusiastic about it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nobsound-NS-02G-PNP-Gold-Pure-Class-A-Power-Amplifier-Single-ended-Amp-Hood-1969/251547955482?hash=item3a916d311a:g:iSYAAOSwik9bh-Ht:rk:79:pf:0
Macca
27-12-2018, 23:38
Eeeeeeek!

Maybe i just need to buy a nice class a integrated amp, preferably ss, and give it a try.

Any suggestions, with a budget of 500 to 1000?

This Krell might be worth considering for £900 -) https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?60538-Krell-Kav-300il-intergrated-amplifier-in-silver&highlight=krell+kav
philv
27-12-2018, 23:50
Might be a tad overkill with snell k.
Looks very nice though.


This Krell might be worth considering for £900 -) https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?60538-Krell-Kav-300il-intergrated-amplifier-in-silver&highlight=krell+kav
Macca
27-12-2018, 23:54
Might be a tad overkill with snell k.

Mine never even lights up the first stage into my speakers unless I'm cranking it , it isn't the power that makes it sound good.
Edward
27-12-2018, 23:57
I alternate between a SS and valve class A amp. Both highly musical and engaging. Both not shy digging into details with zero distortion and able to take on massive dynamic swings. As Martin says - different. I would say the difference focused on the mid band frequencies. The valve amp just gives more of that warm, 'valve' sound.
Idlewithnodrive
29-12-2018, 21:31
Eeeeeeek!

Maybe i just need to buy a nice class a integrated amp, preferably ss, and give it a try.

Any suggestions, with a budget of 500 to 1000?

Marantz PM-4 ?
philv
29-12-2018, 21:40
That’s no doubt where i’ll end up.
How are you finding yours?


Marantz PM-4 ?
Lawrence001
30-12-2018, 10:30
Worth trying Sugden? You should be able to get a nice A21 for that money.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk
Idlewithnodrive
30-12-2018, 14:10
That’s no doubt where i’ll end up.
How are you finding yours?

Don't know yet, it lands on Thursday :)