jng92130

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.57 of 5, 7.00 votes

Price Paid:  $3500.00

Summary:
I just wrote a review of Classe's CA-2200. Having owned both the 2100 and the 2200, and having spent considerable time with both, I thought it might help others to read of how the two compare. I read on one audio message board that the two are essentially identical, save for reduced power in the 2100. I would agree that they have in common a remarkable neutrality and clarity, combined with a curious warmth and musicality that the older generation of Classe amps lacked... but I disagree that the two are so similar as to be indistinguishable. The 2200 is plainly superior in ease and transparency. All music and movie sound pass through the 2200 without effort and with perfect clarity. It sets up an enormous soundstage when such an audioscape is present on a recording, and then flatters lesser recordings with detail and finesse. The 2100 is also quick, transparent, and neutral, but it lacks some of the ease of the 2200. It produces impressive bass for its size and a nice soundstage, but adds just a touch of grain that is completely absent from the 2200. Nonetheless, the 2100 is a great value and looks fantastic in the rack -- Classe did a great job on the physical design of the Delta series components! note: I know from personal experience that anything less than 5 stars is considered a failure of a product. But I've tried many, many components -- amps, preamps, cables -- and thus have a good idea of what it takes for a component to be absolutely top-tier. A rating of 4 is quite good. The 2100 is an exceptional product, and a great value, but it's just not quite as fantastic as the 2200, which I rated an easy 5/5.

Strengths:
neutral, quick, transparent, plenty powerful for small systems or rooms

Weaknesses:
not quite as easeful and spacious as its bigger brother, the 2200. can sound slightly strained at times

Similar Products Used:
CA-101, CA-301, BAT VK-200, Classe CA-2200, Forte 4a