Do I need the AMS (multi-color) version?

Only if you actually plan to print multi-color or multi-material. Verified-purchase reviewers on Best Buy and community discussion on r/3Dprinting note that the AMS Lite included in the A1 Combo enables four-color printing but also increases filament waste due to purge towers. If you mostly print single-color functional parts, the base A1 is the better value.