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Classe CA-300
Classe CA-300
MSRP: $ 4250.00

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Rating
Reviewed by:
Karl N
(AudioPhile)

Review Date
November 22, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

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Review 1 of 11

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought mine used from a local dealer who told me it would be the last amp I would ever need. I drive Maggie 1.6s with it and have driven the speakers with 4 different amps. The classe is by far the best. I have compared it to the Bryston 4Bsst (Magnepan uses this amp in thier listening room) and find it to be superior ie not so "dry"
It will drive the Maggies cleanly to very loud levels.I can't think of anything that it dosen't do extremely well.
I have put a better power cord on it and turned the LED arround so it shows green when on and red when in protection mode ( why woudln't Classe have done that?
Only downside is that I can't move it very easily, and I leave it on all the time and the cat likes to sleep on it
It is the last amp I will ever need.


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Rating
Reviewed by:
cbb
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
July 16, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.75 of 5, 4.00 votes

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Review 2 of 11

Price Paid:  $0.00 from ebay

Summary:
I think I've found "the last amp I'll ever need"! This thing is terrific. As long as I don't have to lift it, it would require a fork lift! Sound is great, although I'm running it with a CP-50 so it's not surprising that they pair well. I love it, and finally have no reason to consider other amps. Great sound, effortless no matter what I throw at it. Highly recommended. And no, you can't have mine! :)

Strengths:
Power out the wazoo. Easy on the ears, transparent. Used it's a real steal! Anyone who needs a better amp than this needs to get out more. A lot more!! This amp is quite good.

Weaknesses:
Well, it's solid state, but quite good nonetheless.

Similar Products Used:
ooh, lots. Silly question, isn't it, for audiophiles?


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Bob
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
December 1, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.40 of 5, 5.00 votes

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Review 3 of 11

Price Paid:  $1875.00 from 2nd Owner

Summary:
I bought this amp 2nd hand from the original owner after auditioning several different products. I listen 60% to 2-channel audio and 40% to home theater. The CA-300 powers my pair of Magnepan MG 1.6QR effortlessly at any volume. These Magies are known to be quite power demanding and I can say for certain that this amp can deliver all that is required of it without breaking a sweat. I compared the Classe’ with the Krell KAV-250, B&R Reference amp, Linn, and a few others. My personal opinion was the Krell was to bright and lacked the depth in sound stage that I was looking for. It did have plenty of power but I did not feel it was a good match for the Magies. The B&K just did not have the power on demand and continually would fall apart at high volume. The Linn was a close 2nd to the Classe’. It did a truly superb job bringing out the inner detail from some of my favorite recordings. It had no trouble powering the Magies for 2-channel audio. It did seem to lack the power on demand required for home theater applications which is why I ultimately decided on the Classe’. I have been buying and selling amps for as long as I can remember. For the first time ever I think I can finally say I have found the perfect amp for my Magies. SYSTEM Magnepan MG 1.6QR (front) Magnepan MG 12 (rear) Mirrage OM-C2 (center) Velodyne F-15R (sub) Classe’ CA-300 (front) 1 B&K Reference (rear) 1 B&K Reference (center) Sony 9000ES DVD/SACD Cambridge Audio CD Transport Theta Pro Basic II DAC Sunfire TG (processor)

Strengths:
Tons of power on demand Built like a tank Runs relatively cool Truly supurb sounding

Weaknesses:
Size-your not going to hide this one in a stereo rack


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Rating
Reviewed by:
Bruce
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
November 27, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 2.00 votes

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Review 4 of 11

Price Paid:  $2300.00

Summary:
STILL ONE OF THE BEST AMPS IN THE BUSINESS.

Strengths:
JUST A JOY TO LISTEN TO

Weaknesses:
NOT TO MANY COMPARED TO THE OVERPRICE COMPETITION.

Similar Products Used:
TO MANY AMPS TO NAME


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Rating
Reviewed by:
James
(Audiophile)

Review Date
June 21, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

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Review 5 of 11

Price Paid:  $2800.00 from Cherry Creek Audio

Summary:
I have own the 300 for 4 years and it is as good as it gets in amps under 5 g's. This amp can drive any load that is out there with ease. I have mine on a pair of Dunlavy 4's and it does the best job of any amp tested on them. It reproduces the entire audio range with power and authority. I have put this amp up against all the companies mentioned above, none out performed the Classe 300 in all aspects. It is the best all round performer. It reproduced the best soundstage and never sounded harsh or shrill at any frequency or volume level. It gives outstanding bass and it came very close to Krell in this department. It doesn't sound like many transiter amps and has a sound almost as liquid as many tube amps. If you can find a used one, by all means buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Strengths:
Outstanding soundstage, power, very dynamic.

Weaknesses:
Slight hum,but was corrected with a Synergistic Master Coupler Power Chord.

Similar Products Used:
I've tried many brands from Aragon, Krell, Chord, Acoustic Research, and Bryston.


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