Musicality

?

Six years ago, I invested what I consider a lot of money for
a CD player. I bought a Micromega transport (2.1) and the
Duo Pro 2 converter. After a while, I bought a Classe CA-150
and the CP-50 pre-amp. I then started to understand what a
good electronic and source could do to my B&W 802. Two months ago, I traded my CA-150 for the new CA-201 and the difference is unbelievable! I now realise that the weakness
of the 150 is at low level; the 201 is much more stable in
producing deep bass and much more detailed mediums and highs. I do not know what CLASSÉ did to their new line of
amps, but it works very well and it also looks terrific.

Similar Products Used:

CA-150

Very smooth without sounding harsh as volume increases.

Warmth obscures some of low level detail and highs softened.

First off, let me say that this amp CA-201 is exactly the same as the revised version of the CA-200, differing only in the face plate. This is confirmed by Classe when I e-mailed them. Also, I was informed that this amp is fully balanced from input to output, not one of those amps with balanced connectors only. I bought this amp earlier in the year from The Analog Shop.
As to my review, after having listened to this amp over 500 hours mated with various set-ups, I find that this amp is very powerful, as it is capable of driving Apogee Calipers with ease and authority, not exactly an easy task for any amp. The sound is definitely on the warm side, perhaps too warm for some cases. I find that some low level detail is obscured by the warmth and high frequencies are ever so softened, thus less involving for the listener to listen to if the choice of music is slow. Sometimes I do not get as excited into the music when played through the Classe.
However, on faster paced music ( i.e. rock, pop, big band, orchestral), you can experience the full potential of this amp. One can increase the volume of this amp to very loud levels and this amp will never sound harsh or distorted. At mid to high levels of listening I find this amp for be far more revealing than other quality amps which I have auditioned, albeit not as exciting as a Levinson, Pass, or an Ayre. Listener fatigue adverse.
Lastly, I find that this amp is a great buy for the price $3k. The build quality is excellent. Classe has a fantastic reputation in the audiophile community for reliability, quality, price, and brand loyalty. I understand that they really value this reputation, so therefore I trust that whenever necessary their service will also will be exemplary.
Despite the sometimes excessive warmth this amp, I really think I made a wise choice in choosing this amp. For others system matching is definitely a must as an already warm system can put you to sleep if you choose the Classe. For bright and difficult to drive systems, the Classe should definitely be considered.

Warm, powerful, musical

Some congestion on complex passages

I don't really have much basis for comparison, but since only three people have submitted reviews ... I pleased with this amp. Drives my B&W N-803s adequately. I'm running a Wadia 850 directly into the amp. Speaker cables are Monster MI.4s; I'm still auditioning interconnects. Best success so far with some single-ended monsters, but I've not yet found a balanced pair I like (I've tried MIT and Kimber). The speakers can be cold and forward, so I chose the amp for its warmth and musicality. I've heard some people describe it as "romantic." Interconnect frustrations aside, I've gotten wonderful results from this setup. Very musical, invilving sound. However, judging from reviews of the B&Ws and Classe, combined with the mathmatics of the Wadia's digital volume control, I have not optimised well for low-level dynamics. True enough, my own experience is that low-level dynamics of my system (e.g., the way it sounds on soft passages of music) are not so good.

Similar Products Used:

N/A

Wow! A very musical and smooth sound without sounding muddy or ill defined.

none

I love the broad and deep soundstage. The music never gets
too strained and listening for long periods of time is effortless. The amp seems to be getting better as the entire system is breaking in. I auditioned several amps including Bryston, Adcom, and others, the Classe is just what I was hoping for, great sound, great value. This is my first medium to high end system, I have the Classe 201 teamed with an Adcom 750 pre-amp, Martin Logan Aerius Is bi-wired, Nordost solarwind speaker wire, Nordost balanced interconnects, a Marantz 65SE cd player, and a sunfire true-sub. - It works for me!

Similar Products Used:

NA

None yet.

The CA-201 is probably the best investment I have made with regards to an amplifier. I have demo'd and researched many amplifiers that would work well with my speakers and my tastes. I have found the Classe' to be a very punchy, slightly warm, and powerfully clean amplifier, which suits my needs and wants perfectly. I would highlye recommend the Classe' for its overall sonic and build quality as well as its price. I have heard Krell, McIntosh, Bryston and Crown. I believe Krell and McIntosh to be overly priced and targeting a niche market willing to pay extra for the brand. Bryston was almost a toss-up with the Classe, but I heard 2 channel music a little bit crisper and punchier in the mid to low bass region. The Crown, well lets just say it has an analytical sound that would be better matched for a Home Theater scenario or a Guitar/Bass amplifier for musicians.

My setup is as follows:
2 Classe CA-201 Amplifiers
1 Classe SSP-30 AV Preamplifier
Tara Labs Interconnects and Bi-Wire Speaker cabling
2 Pair Sound Lab Dynastat Hybrid Electrostatic Speakers (1 pair used for the front mains and the 2nd pair used for the rear surround speakers)
1 Sound Lab Marquee Center Channel Electrostatic Speaker
Velodyne HGS-18 Subwoofer
Sony DCS-9000ES DVD Player

Similar Products Used:

Crown, Bryston, Krell