Class A amps

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soundbuff

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Hi,
Does someone have experience of using Class A amps on a day to day basis in a domestic setting? I interested in the practical point of the heat generated, keeping in mind an average Indian middle or upper-middle class home, with no air conditioning.
I have heard a class A SET amp of 15 watts in my then very-very small listening room, and frankly there was no problem at all. My guess is that a Class A SS amp of 25-30 watts would get hot but the room will be fine. But what about bigger amps, 60 watters and thereabouts? Will these be practical.

Thanks
 
In SS had class A Sugden A21 25watts and a Luxman m-5 50watts. The Luxman was massive and radiated al ot of heat and had to be kept well ventilated at all times. Even then at the back of your mind it is playing games when the music is playing, that it requires rest hence I let it go..
 
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I used pass F5 turbo v2 for 2 years in my bedroom setup. It was biased 2x 80W, generating lot of heat, but no change in the room temperature. Also I kept it on overnight in winter days. If that amplifier is correctly biased and well placed then no worries. Electricity bill was up by 150Rs monthly.
Sure that was not reason for selling. I am missing it and craving to build another ASAP.

And nothing comes near class A.
 
Been using a Class A 80 Watts for many years now:) and contemplating building a 15 Watt Class A. Class A does produce lots of heat.

I'm inspired by omishra's idea of using two DC powered computer fans per side, operated at lower than actual recommended voltage for lower speed and therefore lower noise. Forced cooling is definitely a good way to assist the heat dissipation from the heat sinks.
 
jls001 said:
Been using a Class A 80 Watts for many years now:) and contemplating building a 15 Watt Class A. Class A does produce lots of heat.

I'm inspired by omishra's idea of using two DC powered computer fans per side, operated at lower than actual recommended voltage for lower speed and therefore lower noise. Forced cooling is definitely a good way to assist the heat dissipation from the heat sinks.
Click to expand...

@joshua, are you planning for Jean Hiraga's Le Monstre?
 
Thanks Folks,
This is all very informative. Helium flights point is actually valuable, for these things can indeed prey on one's mind. Although I am told that Class A amps run a teeny bit less hot once the music start playing.

So the big take home is that a Class A amplifier is practicable in a domestic environment, even an 80 watter can be thought of.

Since you folks are seasoned class A users please send me options for class A of decent wattage and high quality. I am looking at a budget from 1 lakh to 2.5 Lakhs. Ideally I would want something like a 60 watter.

1. Xindak PA-M class A 20 watts. This is their entry level, I have talked to the dealer and mailed him, however so far no response on prices. He is probably just busy and a quote will come. There is also a very well reviewed higher level amp called A600e at 60 watt in class A which doubles at 4 Ohms.

2 Valvet Class A monoblocks 25 watts

3. Sugden I suppose

4. Luxman of which I know nothing

5. Accuphase which is surely out of my budget

Others. Please skip mention Pass Labs, it is completely out of range.
 
soundbuff said:
please send me options for class A of decent wattage and high quality. I am looking at a budget from 1 lakh to 2.5 Lakhs. Ideally I would want something like a 60 watter.

1. Xindak PA-M class A 20 watts. This is their entry level, I have talked to the dealer and mailed him, however so far no response on prices. He is probably just busy and a quote will come. There is also a very well reviewed higher level amp called A600e at 60 watt in class A which doubles at 4 Ohms.

2 Valvet Class A monoblocks 25 watts

3. Sugden I suppose

4. Luxman of which I know nothing

5. Accuphase which is surely out of my budget

Others. Please skip mention Pass Labs, it is completely out of range.
Click to expand...
DIY pass f6 will be in your budget. With no compromised components, it can be built under 1lakh IMHO.
 
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Thanks for the DIY Pass F-6 suggestion. If indeed its costs comes to about 1 Lakh, it is a jolly option. The BIG problem is whether at all I can build it? Even though I have picked up words and concepts over time, I am frankly clueless about electronics. Have never held a solder iron in my hand, it would seem to be an unrealistic undertaking. Which is why this option would never have occurred to me, thanks for the same.
I wonder if its possible and 'acceptable' to have an experienced technical hand put one together, after procuring the kit.:yahoo: Financially this is most attractive, because I wont have to sell off my existing amp. and scrounge around for the rest. The nearest commercial amp is the PA-M Xindak for 1.3 Lakhs in the Uk market.

How may these kits be obtained? Does one order them directly from America, and past indian customs. Its a new dimension for me.
 
soundbuff said:
Thanks for the DIY Pass F-6 suggestion. If indeed its costs comes to about 1 Lakh, it is a jolly option. The BIG problem is whether at all I can build it? Even though I have picked up words and concepts over time, I am frankly clueless about electronics. Have never held a solder iron in my hand, it would seem to be an unrealistic undertaking. Which is why this option would never have occurred to me, thanks for the same.
I wonder if its possible and 'acceptable' to have an experienced technical hand put one together, after procuring the kit.:yahoo: Financially this is most attractive, because I wont have to sell off my existing amp. and scrounge around for the rest. The nearest commercial amp is the PA-M Xindak for 1.3 Lakhs in the Uk market.

How may these kits be obtained? Does one order them directly from America, and past indian customs. Its a new dimension for me.
Click to expand...
I got my F6 kit from USA only. The diyaudio store. Started sourcing other components from around the globe. As this is a hefty investment for me, I am taking my time to order each component since last 3-4 months. It will get few more months before I start my own build.
 
soundbuff if you really want class A amp just check Kushanava sugden SE its an amazing amp to be considered
 
Sound buff, what speakers do you plan to use with the class A amp? That to a large exten will determine which way to go. For example if it's horns or a speaker like Rethm, it's got to be something like First Watt which is open and dynamic.
 
Hi,
Thanks for all the suggestions folks.
The Luxman option is not familiar to me. for an unknown reason I have never looked up this brand. Any idea who is the dealer, what's the ball park cost etc.

I thought of The Sugden on sale to be sure. Problem is I would be exchanging one good quality low watt tube amp for another low watt amp of similar quality, albeit of a different type. Something in the range of 40 to 60 watts is what I think will be best.

My present amp, the Leben 300xs is excellent in every way save power. At 91 db sensitivity, my speakers (Blumehofer Big fun 17) play plenty loud but would benefit with more power, so as to get some more headroom.
 
soundbuff
speak to FM skdas

he also has the same brand speaker as you
and has/had almost the exact same requirement as you that i think he managed to fulfill with a "Made in India" product
 
I have one krell Fpb 200 pure class A power amp. Built like a tank. Having kept it on a separate pedestal I don't feel heat is a problem at all using ceiling fan the room. One draw back in the amp you can't hear through any amplifier below it's category. Mind blowing in all frequencies only one frequency in which it is some what below my accuphase e303x is bass.
 
WOW! A Krell 200 watter.

It does not get too hot, probably because of the 'sustained plateau bias' system. A conventional class A of 200 watts would definitely be running hot.
 
Hi Folks,
Having thought through all the valuable suggestions made by fellow FM's above and keeping in mind prices within my budget, I have pulled the trigger and ordered a Xindak XA600E integrated amplifier.

Its been a while since I bought anything without a listen, but the two reviews I came across (one German mag Fairaudio and another in Polish) are most favourable. Although the amp is made in China :sad:, the brand is well established and highly regarded. On a lighter note, I also took confidence from one of our super high end FM's recent purchase of a Chinese made amplifier!:)

The A600e is the top integrated in the line of class A amplifiers, and had been in production for some five six to years in its present form and even longer in an earlier model; so it should be a well sorted out design. It puts out 60 watts in Class A @8Ohms and 160 watts in class AB. It doubles to 320 watts in 4Ohms. Its huge and heavy so that regarded a 'mind-shift' after the little Leben! At 91 db sensitivity, the Blumenhofer speakers do need some power and 60 watts will ensure that the amp for the most part will run in class A.

Decibel Audio, Mysore are the authorised distributor of XindaK, and the CEO Mr. Manikantan, who is also quite knowledgeable an enthusiast himself, has been very nice to deal with.

I am told that the amp would be delivered by the coming weekend. Will share with pictures as and when. The set up will be Ayon 1sc Cd player, Xindak A600E Integrated amplifier and Blumenhofer Big fun 17 speakers. Looking for realism in terms of scale and imaging, hoping for greater dynamics at relatively low level listening volumes; willing to sacrifice some top end refinement and extension in favour of low end gravitas and authority. Lets hope it turns out to be a choice that I am happy with over the long run.
 
Congratulations soundbuff. Nice you found an amp of your liking and specifications within budget. Many times in this hobby we get carried away and go over budget:)
 
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