todds7

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $2500.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
I researched this purchase for weeks and weeks, finally settling on this model based on affordability, build and sound quality, and reliability. The solidity and build quality are old school, but the rich aural pallet suggest a modern component.

Highs are exquisite, delicate and sweet. Mids are outasight [You should hear Tchaikofsky's 1812 on Telarc, Erik Kuntsel & Cincinnati Pops -- talk about your horns, mistuh.] And I hope that some time you can experience the instantaneous explosion of bass out of a CA-400 -- headroom like a coliseum. Even at low levels, the live canon shots in that Telarc 1812 sound like cherry bombs going off in the room! Subwoofers are superfluous with this amp.

The very first reviewer complained of lack of bass: I doubt that he has a tin ear, based on the gear they were using, but I would suggest unequivocally that there were issues with that amp. It's like saying there's no oil in Saudi.

I use a Classe CDP1 CD player and DR-6 preamp (all in black), and perhaps there is some synergy, but I doubt it. I'm quite sure that a Naim, Carey, etc. would sound at least as good as my Classe CDP1. Bi-wired Neat Vito loudspeakers (my review for which is under Neat Mystique on this site), a Sansui 777 tuner and and Linn Sondek LP12 round out the system.

One tweek I recommend is using balanced interconnects with the CDP1 and the DR-6. This system is DEAD quiet, and the PS Audio sound conditioner plays a role here, I'm sure. Quiet musical passages have a stunning black background, highlighting the intstruments. Between songs, the music fades to dead silence and all I hear is the quiet ticking of the wall clock. Quite remarkable. I feel so honored to own such an incredible system.

Is it the final word in high-definition audio? No. It's not. Can more articulate equipment be purchased? Yes. If you're the Prince of Siam, buy a Halcro, Kondo, or the like. But in my opinion, the value of this equipment, i.e. vintage Classe, is quite unsurpassed. If you have budget constaints as I do, used, quality equipment such as this is the only way to go. The whole system, including power cords and interconnects cost me well under $10k, while full retail runs perhaps three times this.

One easy improvement might be to pick up another CA-400 and run them monaural. A friend of mine who owns three CA-400s claims that the soundstage opens up with more air and dimension. But 2.7 KILOwatts mono into a four-ohm load smacks of excessive. Nevertheless, could happen :o)

I absolutely recommend this amplifier. You're not compromising on anything except price, and that's a good thing. Just promise you won't get in a bidding war with me when the next one comes up on A'gon ;o)

Strengths:
For all its power, the CA-400 is amazingly delicate and articlate. The bass slam is out of this world. DEAD quiet w/ balanced interconnects, though I've not heard it through RCAs. Unsurpassed amplifier-for-dollar ratio in the used market.

Weaknesses:
Size and weight -- very deep cabinet and 125 pounds in weight

Price Paid:  $4500.00 from Audio Excellence

Summary:
I have read the other reviews of the 400, my obsevations agree but for one major exception. VERY WEAK BASS! I received the amp from a friend who was driving Aerial 10T''s & said the bass was weak. He brought it over to drive my Von Schweikert VR6''s, my conclusion was the same. For an amp of that much power, it was a major shock to both of us. My Conrad Johnson MV125 tube amp[125 watt/ch.] had more "balls'' in the bass department. My friend traded it for an Audio Research VT100 [100 watt/ ch.] amp & it had it all over the Classe! Was it defective? Who will ever know!

Strengths:
Very smooth, imaging not bad

Weaknesses:
Very anemic bass

Similar Products Used:
Conrad Johnson MV125, Audio Research VT 100, Sim Audio W5

Summary:
I pick up this mighty Classe Ca400 power amp after I compare with some other hi end power amp, such as Bryston 7, Krell FPB300, ML-333, BAT VK500. The CA400 sound the best to my ear, and it come with a resonal price. It build like a tank, high quality, SS power and bass without SS harsh sound. It can compete with some high end tube power amp. High is clear and extend, mid is sweet as tube, low is as good as you can get. Staging, imaging all first class. It make all other high price amp in shame!

Summary:
This is a undiscover treasure power amps, it is big, powerfull, but gracefull at the same time.
It nevery run our of power. the high never has the ss harsh sound, it is clear and esxtended. It is very sweet in mids, better than a lot high end tubes amp. The lows is the one tube amp never match. I fell it can match up well with KSA250. The sound stage is wide and deep.
It is a greatest giant killer ss amp!

Strengths:
Powerfull but gracefull

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
ML333, Bryston 7, Krell KSA250, FBP300

Summary:
This is a super power amp with super value price, buy it if you can find one on the used market.
It has a very balance and musical from bass to mid and extend to the high. It drive all diffecult speaker easily. It compare well with up to three times of the price on the market with name brand such as ML, Krell, Pass lab, Jeff Rowland. Unbelieveable value!

Strengths:
Powerful, Detail, Resolution

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Krell KSA-300s, ML-333, Pass 250,