[igniter]

I’m looking for an all in one solution that fills the following requirements:

- can run high impedance dynamics (ZMF)
- can power demanding planars (Ideally at least 4w balanced)
- must be class A
- ideally an R2R dac if not something that is very analogue / musical
- desktop solution
- can be either tubes / SS / Hybrid
- quality manufactured
- sound signature - laid back, euphonic, open soundstage, analogue etc etc

Budget up to $3,000 - some thoughts
- iFi Pro iDSD Signature
- Ferrum ERCO

Looking forward to seeing what suggestion the forum comes up with.

Thanks

 

[gimmeheadroom]

http://audio-gd.com/R2R/R2721/R2721EN.htm

 

[whitefang]

Nothing from iFi or Ferrum is true class A afaik.

 

[igniter]

Nothing from iFi or Ferrum is true class A afaik.

What would you recommend that’s true class A?

 

[whitefang]

I can't recall of any class A all in one unit at the moment.
High power Class A amp are very inefficient and runs hot, it is not a good idea to stick a DAC board inside.
For your requirements I would recommend going for a standalone R2R DAC + standalone Class A amp such as Denafrips + GSX mini.
If you want to stick with all in one just forget about the class A then you have plenty of choices.

 

[iFi audio]

Nothing from iFi or Ferrum is true class A afaik.

I'm not sure about the other product, but our Pro iCAN is biased into class A

 

[whitefang]

It will probably turn into class AB after it reach certain amount of output power. Then I consider it as a class AB amp. Because the advertised 14W power is class AB power.

 

[whitefang]

I'm not sure about the other product, but our Pro iCAN is biased into class A

Also at spec: ≤ 22W idle, 50W max.
Class A does not consume less power on idle.
It must be class AB.

 

[iFi audio]

Also at spec: ≤ 22W idle, 50W max.
Class A does not consume less power on idle.
It must be class AB.

I've asked about that internally, but you're right that class A amps consume the same amount of power all the time. I'll let you know once I have the info how much power Pro iCAN outputs as a pure class A device, thanks!

 

[DeweyCH]

The Burson Conductor series is quite good and drives the Susvara and HE6SEv2 quite well. Not sure they're as analogue as you'd like, but they do present easy op-amp rolling to tune your sound. It is Class A.