Hi everyone
I use 106db horns so realistically I’m only ever using a watt or so. I’ve tried many valve amps but didn’t really get on with any of them SQ wise (plus my system is running 12-14 hours per day).
At present I’m using some little Class D things as a stop gap which do sound great, but the ultra high damping factor can make the system sound a touch lean with some material. I would just like a little more meat on the bones, especially in the LF’s.
So ideally I’d like a really low powered SS Class A amp with only a few watts to avoid the heat etc. But I haven’t come across any. Is there such a thing and does anyone have any first hand experience?
I've arrived at this thread rather late, but I'm in a similar situation to you, but I'm viewing it in a rather different way.
My speakers are 104 dB with new ones on order of 107 dB. I used to use "flea-power" SETs of between 5 (PX25) and 28 (845) watts but made a decision to move to SS a couple of years ago. Initially I was looking for low power amps, mainly Class A, but I was disappointed with the sound, so I looked at others irrespective of nominal power.
Ideally you want low gain or better still adjustable gain but these are rare features. In the end I've chosen a Class D of 150 watts, but I can set (using the app) an upper Volume limit of say -20 dB. Hopefully this will prevent possible damage to the speakers if I carelessly place a book on the remote control volume up button!
I can only suggest that you worry less about the nominal output of your amp and concentrate on its sound through your speakers. I did try a 400 watt amp (bought to power electrostatics), but its S/N ratio was poor. Other amps of up to 200 watts have been absolutely no problem at all.
If you really want a low powered non-D amp, look at Bakoon 13r (25 watts). Or a bit more powerful, the dinkly little AGD Audion monos. They may look like SETs but in fact thay are Class D using Galium Nitride chips rather than silicon. They are both on my Must Try list. Oh yes another - Valvet S2se (12 watts).
You mentioned Sugden IA4. Well I had the Sugden FPA-4 which appears to be the power amp version of the IA4 from the same Pasterclass Series. Frankly it was rather dull and lacking in any excitement factor. The other Class A I had (still have) is the much better Accuphase A-36. This is an exceptionally refined amp - complete with gain switch for up to -12 dB attenuation in output. Peter