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Choosing a Solid State Class A/B integrated amp

I have been committed to Integrated amps for over 10 years and have had a few, mainly Class a tube amps. I love what tubes, SET amps in particular, have to offer. The speed , mid range clarity and neutrality, can be pretty addictive. I have 2 integrated amps I use at the moment,both excellent, an Ayon Spark 20 watt SET and 50 watt hybrid Class A Pathos Inpol2.

The rest of the system is:
Mac Mini into an Ayre QB9 DAC for digital
TW Accustic Raven one/Ortofon 309D arm/Benz Micro LP cartridge
Daedalus DA-RMA speakers

Music choice is pretty eclectic, classical,Jazz,blues, singer Songwriter, not much rock, as such.

The system is great, but I know Lou at Daedalus likes higher ouput amps, particularly Modwright, despite his speakers being high sensitivity, so I would like to swap one of my amps for a higher output SS, or tube unit. .

My only exposure to a Class A/B SS integrated, was not a success. I tried the Karan K180 integrated and found it dull, slow and lifeless in my system, despite it's good reputation. Likewise, I have'nt often enjoyed the higher output push/pull tube units I have heard.

Any suggestions then for an integrated amp under $10000 new, though I would probably buy it cheaper, second hand. My ideal would be a Dartzeel H8550, which I have loved, every time I have heard it, but it's too expensive for me, even second hand. The new Modwright K200, is an obvious candidate. The reviews say is it is on the warm side of neutral, which I would like, but I have'nt heard it.

Give me some suggestions guys, thanks
david12
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
Hi John,

Nice! What do you have?

It is, to both. Class A is usually not cheap, however.
david12 OP
1,398 posts
 
That's the point I'm afraid. Whether tube or SS, Class A seems always to sound better than A/B. I don't need massive power, 90 to 150 watts will do, but that gets you into Class A/B, or ruinously expensive Class A.

The question is, what units get you nearest to the virtues of Class A and there are some helpful suggestions, thanks
jdoris
852 posts
 
Dave_72:

I have the Pass INT-30A. Lovely, but seriously limiting for speakers.
dave_72
1,399 posts
 
I would then try Accuphase, which doubles down all the way into 1 Ohm. I wouldn't go lower in the line than an A-46 amp.
digsmithd
545 posts
 
I think the kwi 200 is a warmer nuetral.But not so much to call it soft.The amp isnt to my ears a forward sounding midrange sound,just a very evenly balanced sounding amp,nothing calls attention to itself.My other considerations were sim 600 ,pass 150.I wanted to try this amp because its local(kinda),dans experience with tube and ss and to try something differant than what i was used to hearing(sim).There is so many amps out there to try. Power on reserve is nice to have.Dan does love your speakers with amp also.
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