Why Class AB Amps Still Rule the Real World: 7 Integrated Amps That Prove It

Photo provided by TMR Client, Will G.

Class AB has been the backbone of great hi-fi amplification for decades, and for good reason. It blends the sweetness of Class A with the headroom and practicality of Class D, landing squarely in the sweet spot where music feels alive, dynamic, and unfussy.

In a world filled with streaming amps, tiny Class D modules, and hybrid everything, the best Class AB integrateds still deliver something essential: real current, real drive, and real musicality - the kind that lets your speakers breathe. And because many of these models show up regularly on the used market, Class AB integrated amplifiers remain one of the smartest ways to build or upgrade a system without overpaying.

If you want a deeper dive into how Class A, AB, and D actually differ under the hood, check out our guide: [Class A vs. Class AB vs. Class D: What’s the Difference in Sound?]

Below are seven Class AB integrated amplifiers that show exactly why this topology continues to rule the real world. 

1. SoulNote A-2 V2 Integrated Amplifier

Modern No-Feedback Magic

Used Price Range: None yet on used market.

New Price: ~$9,420

SoulNote designs its gear with a radical no-feedback architecture that emphasizes speed, bandwidth, and natural tone. The A-2 version 2 is one of the most energetic, holographic Class-AB integrateds' circuits on the market.

Why it makes the cut:

• Zero-feedback design brings immediacy and dimensionality
• Fast, articulate transients without harshness
• One of the most “alive” sounding AB amps available

2. Cambridge EXA100 Integrated Amplifier 

Streaming Convenience Meets True AB Performance

Used Price Range: ~$1,400–$1,800

New Price: $2,399

The EXA100 is one of the best integrated amplifiers on the market, especially in its price range. The EXA is the rare all-in-one that delivers real Class AB warmth and grip while also offering modern streaming convenience. It’s the sweet spot for anyone wanting great sound without the complexity.

Why it makes the cut:

• Musical, slightly warm AB character
• Built-in streaming + ESS DAC
• Huge value (especially used)

3. ModWright KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated Amplifier

Hybrid Soul, AB Power

Used Price Range: ~$5,500–$7,500

New Price: $9,750

A hybrid design with a tube preamp stage and a brute-force Class AB output section. The KWH 225i brings muscle and soul together in a way few integrateds can.

Why it makes the cut:

• Big, bold sound with tube nuance
• Serious current delivery
• Effortless dynamics and slam

4. Michi X3 S2 Integrated Amplifier

Effortless Control and Refinement

Used Price Range: ~$4,500–$5,900

New Price: $7,499

The X3 S2 is the integrated that disappears behind your speakers. It’s ultra-quiet, ultra-controlled, and undeniably refined — a masterclass in modern Class AB execution.

Why it makes the cut:

• Rock-solid power and stability
• Smooth, low-grain presentation
• Superb match for demanding speakers

5. Luxman L-509Z Integrated Amplifier

Flagship Refinement, AB Muscle

Used Price Range: ~$7,500–$9,000

New Price: $14,995

The L-509Z sits at the top of Luxman’s integrated lineup. It’s gorgeously built and voiced with finesse, but its Class AB output stage still brings real authority.

Why it makes the cut:

• Luxman’s signature warmth and transparency
• Heirloom-level build
• Flows like Class A, hits like AB

6. Hegel H190v Integrated Amplifier

The Real-World Sweet Spot

Used Price Range: ~$2,800–$3,200

New Price: $4,600

The H190v is the amp that just works, with nearly any speaker, in nearly any room. It’s warm, powerful, and unpretentious. A genuine modern classic.

Why it makes the cut:

• High damping factor = big speaker control
• Smooth, grain-free presentation
• Built-in streamer and DAC for simplicity

7. McIntosh MA9500 Integrated Amplifier

Flagship Power Meets Effortless Musicality

Used Price Range: ~$9,000–$11,500

New Price: $14,000

The MA9500 is one of the most recognizable Class AB integrated amplifiers in high-end audio. It’s authoritative, silky, and unmistakably McIntosh — big transformers, generous current delivery, and that slightly warm, full-bodied presentation that makes almost everything sound more grounded and effortless.

If you’re already running a Mac stack or thinking about building one, we put together a dedicated guide to matching speakers: [Speakers That Pair Beautifully with McIntosh Amps — And Why Synergy Matters], with five standout pairings and tips for choosing the right match for your room.

Why it makes the cut:

• Autoformer design = consistent load handling
• Big, expansive dynamics
• Reference-grade build and presence

Why Class AB Still Matters

Class AB amplifiers continue to dominate the real world because they offer something harder to quantify but easy to hear: confidence. They grip your speakers without strain, deliver music with ease, and sit at the intersection of warmth, power, and practicality.

If this list has you rethinking where your upgrade money should go, [The Amplifier Paradox: Why the Most Important Sound-Shaper in Your System Might Be the Least Understood] is a deeper dive into why the amp so often ends up being the real bottleneck, or the real unlock, in a system.

Whether you’re building your first serious hi-fi system or chasing the last 10% of performance, the amps above show why Class AB remains the sweet spot, in 2026 and beyond.