Author Topic: Class A amps? (Read 10726 times)

Gary · « **on:** November 26, 2005, 06:03:15 PM »

I hear a lot of people talking about the benefits of class A amps. Are there any that are reasonably available e.g. that I could try out at a local music shop?

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2005, 09:44:51 PM »

yu mean available for a reasonable price, or reasonably easy to find in a music shop? Theres plenty of class A amps out there! usually in combo form mind you. obviously check out the Vox AC30CC - which is made in China or somewhere, but still awesome sound and great value for money. Also i can't reccommend enough the cornford Harlequin, which sounds amazing, but is only 6W, so obviously can't really be used for gigs etc.

Gary · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2005, 10:13:21 PM »

I meant reasonably easy to find - so I can try some out and see what all the fuss is about.

PhilKing · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2005, 11:27:46 PM »

There is an Epiphone 5w amp. Any amp with just one power valve/tube will be class A, I think.

Elliot · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2005, 11:58:46 PM »

Its called a Valve Junior - 5w and just one control - you can pick one up under £100

HJM · « **Reply #5 on:** November 27, 2005, 07:41:15 AM »

Right...Vox AC30s are not class A...end of lesson

Gary · « **Reply #6 on:** November 27, 2005, 08:29:46 AM »

Quote from: HJM

Right...Vox AC30s are not class A...end of lesson

On the vox site it says they are. Now I'm confused.

HJM · « **Reply #7 on:** November 27, 2005, 10:44:51 AM »

Vox have been miss-selling for years. I should have said true class A to be clearer.

It is really a hot biased class AB amp. It is class A when clean but as it distorts it becomes class AB as the output valves don't pass current through 360 degrees of the input wave cycle. So the typical singing vox AC30 overdrive is class AB, when it's clean it's in class A.

Hope that clears it up - you need a bit of valve theory to get your head around operation class!

indysmith · « **Reply #8 on:** November 27, 2005, 11:01:05 AM »

i'd heard this aswell, to be honest. Weird how they can get away with it actually! the VOX AC30 is probably the most famously "*classA*" amp the world has to offer :?

math2014 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2005, 11:27:43 AM »

Laney's LC30/VC30 are class A btw.

indysmith · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2005, 11:29:59 AM »

Quote from: math2014

Laney's LC30/VC30 are class A btw.

theres a good point - they're pretty damn cheap, and if yu want lower price/wattage, then theres 15 watt versions aswell! Most music shops have 'em round here!

big steve · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2005, 12:14:05 PM »

yeah, i have the lc30; pretty versatile and decent sounding IMHO

math2014 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2005, 12:19:59 PM »

Yep i got an LC30 as well, and also tried LC15R, VC30 , LC50, all very good amps.

BTW Steve do you know if the LC30 needs biasing or if its self biased?

indysmith · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2005, 01:03:46 PM »

whats the main differences between LC30 and VC30?

HJM · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2005, 01:04:42 PM »

I want to find out..the LC15and VC 15 are class A/B, I'm suspicious of the LC30 and VC30, I'm guessing they follow the Vox poweramp design...never trust what an amp manufacturer says!!