1. looks nice in soft shadow silver. 2. balanced gain is 6dB less than single-ended 3. runs only slightly warm, so you can leave it on all the time, for best sound

fat midbass

I've had the Classe' CA-100 for four years, now. It is still one of my favorite amps at this price. Sonically, it has two faults. (1) Its midbass is too fat, too overwhelming. If you have a small room, and your speakers are boomy, then the CA-100 is not for you. (2) There is a lack of depth. But really, this is in comparison to other, more expensive amps. Versus the other amps around $1500, the CA-100 offers a well-balanced set of strengths.

Classe' really did a smart thing, by reducing the gain in balanced mode. See, most preamps will boost the balanced gain by 6dB. So, when you hook up the CA-100, the sound level will be the same, whether you use the balanced or single-ended inputs. Way cool.

If you want a reliable, nice-looking (in soft shadow silver, anyway), relatively cool-running, good-sounding amp at this price, the Classe' CA-100 is a winner.

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Adcom GFA-535; Sonographe SA-100; Muse Model 100; AudioPrism Debut II

great build quality, sleek design, awesome sound, wonderful for jazz and blues, does a good job on classical also.

I got this amp for 1100 US$ because the new model was coming in. What a steal. Everyone knows that there are better amps out there...I am not going to compare this to McIntosh. For where it sits in the priceline, it is a great amp. I love working with Canadian companies, they seem to have real crisp sound. When I first heard this amp it was connected to B&W 804's. Stellar. Based on the sound for the money, the overall style, and great build quaility I say 5. Value is a hard one to judge but at 1100 bucks, something this good is at least a 5

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Adcom GFP 750, MIT Term4

Excellent sound with my Vandersteen's. Very musical amp that sounds good on broad spectrum of music people actually listen to, not just the audiophile "test" dreck. Hard to beat. One comment: I have to laugh when someone calls a $1,500 amp a "budget" item! I make a very good living, but no way is a single component at that price level cost-constrained. And I'm not foolish enough to believe that any significant portion of the relative handful of audiophiles out there can afford to buy, or intends to buy a $10,000+ component. Hey I read Car & Driver, but, like most relatively well-off people, I'm buying the Explorer, not the Ferrari!

I have lived with the CA-100 now for two years . I can tell you that this amp is very reliable . plays some spectacular music through my maggie 1.6's ! And is "affordable"!!!!!! at 1495.00 . Classe' has come out with new models . I was lucky enough to purchase this with the lifetime warrenty Classe' offered at one time. I think I made a smart and sound investment.

Very well built amp for the money. I use two CA-100s in bridged mode using the balanced MIT interconnects. I've owned these amps for nearly two years and have been very pleased with their performance. They have a warm, detailed,non-fatiguing sound and work great with a powered sub system. I can't comment on the low bass performance of this amplifier as I use a powered sub in my system.Classe's seem to be a class "A" product.

Another excellent product from the Canadian manufacturer. I made an A/B comparison of the CAP-100 and Krell KAV-300i at a local dealer. The speaker used were Martin Logan SL-3 and Wadia 23 CD player. Cables and interconnects were Cardas Cross. The Krell is a very good amplifer, but I like the Classe CAP-100 for its sweeter highs, warmer mids, and more airy soundstage. Both are very good in the bass, although the Krell sounds a little tighter. Overall I prefer the CAP-100 over Krell's KAV-300i, and would recommend it to anyone looking for an integrated amplifier at this price range.

smoothness

too fat in bass, lousy tonal balance

I have used Classe over 1 year. At first, I am satified with amp., such a cheap price...
After I listen a music with CounterPoint, I am changed.
With the same price tag, Classe was too fat in Bass and mid range.
Rougy tonal balance was one of the weak points.
I think it as a piece of crap.

Similar Products Used:

Counter Point