No, it is not true Class A operation. And the louder you turn it up the "more" Class AB it becomes. So? Tone is tone. I looked up tone in the dictionary and there was a picture of a Blue Angel! I just paid mine off, tomorrow the credit card interest would have started. Now I can save a bit and try to figger out where the hum is coming from. I don't think it is the tubes, the only ones I haven't changed are the 6v6s. I will send it back to Mesa if need be, the Maverick is running sweetly at the moment and the Subway is in reserve. I put a Peavey Scorpion Ultra in it and it is so much louder it is unreal. Could easily gig with just the 2 6V6 setting. The efficient speaker made the hum louder too so that sucks. I bet when I get all my amps working my guitar breaks!!