I heard a Classe CA-151, I think it was. It sounded good with my B&W CDM7SE's. I really needed a 3 ch amp, so I thought I'd get a CAV-75 and bridge it. I was looking for opinions on the CAV-75 vs the CA-150 or 151. I haven't been able to here the CAV-75 yet. Does bridging reduce sound quality?
Opinions on Classe amplifiers (wanted)
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Samsung 65" S95B QD-OLED, Pioneer Elite SC-LX901 Receiver, Magnepan MG2.5/R x4 and CC3 center, 2subs
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I agree with Paul, a straight amp will always sound better than one that is bridged. When you bridge two channels you add the distortion of both. If you need 3 channels, get a 3 channel amp or three monoblocks. However, with Dolby EX you might be better off getting two 2 channel amps.
Rabident, I run an Aragon 8008x3 amp for my front 3 speakers,CDM7SE's,CDMSCE. This amp
has plenty of power and produces tight bass from the CDM's. Give a listen to an Aragon amp if you can, you may enjoy it. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif
has plenty of power and produces tight bass from the CDM's. Give a listen to an Aragon amp if you can, you may enjoy it. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif
Hmmm...
Not what I was hoping to hear. I'm sure the Classe monoblocks sound good, but price is an issue for me. The CAV-75 is ~$2000. That's in my price range for 3 channels of amplification. I guess I'll give it a listen and if it sounds OK then I'll get it. The CA-150 probably does sound better, like you guys imply, but hopefully it won't be a huge difference. The Classe's are suppose to be high current capable, so maybe the 4 ohm load thing won't be as bad.
I would have tried the Aragon 8008x3, but I'm in a return/upgrade situation. I bought a Dennon AVR-3300 and wasn't happy with it, so my dealer is letting me return it and get the Rotel RTC-965 and Classe CAV-75. I don't think he sells the Aragon.
Thanks for the replies.
Not what I was hoping to hear. I'm sure the Classe monoblocks sound good, but price is an issue for me. The CAV-75 is ~$2000. That's in my price range for 3 channels of amplification. I guess I'll give it a listen and if it sounds OK then I'll get it. The CA-150 probably does sound better, like you guys imply, but hopefully it won't be a huge difference. The Classe's are suppose to be high current capable, so maybe the 4 ohm load thing won't be as bad.
I would have tried the Aragon 8008x3, but I'm in a return/upgrade situation. I bought a Dennon AVR-3300 and wasn't happy with it, so my dealer is letting me return it and get the Rotel RTC-965 and Classe CAV-75. I don't think he sells the Aragon.
Thanks for the replies.
You should audition a bunch of amps and go from there. I did this and found the Classe to be an excellent match for my Aerials. A word of caution: do not underpower your speakers -- the resulting sound will be horrible. I did this with a CA-100 on my Aerial 10Ts -- horrible sound. Now, the CA-200 is a different story -- the best amp. I have ever heard on my system. (vs. Krell, ARC, Sunfire, ATI, Bryston, etc.)
A CAV-150 will do 300x3 (bridged) quite well -- I use this for my center/surrounds with good results. You should be able to find it used for around $2800-$3k. Of course, realize this bridged config. isn't optimal.
--Mark
A CAV-150 will do 300x3 (bridged) quite well -- I use this for my center/surrounds with good results. You should be able to find it used for around $2800-$3k. Of course, realize this bridged config. isn't optimal.
--Mark
I have listened to a few different amps in show rooms. I heard some Krell stuff, Proceed (sp?) and Classe as far as the higher end stuff goes.
I would have liked to take different amps home and try them out. I bought the Dennon 3300 based on reviews. When I took it back 2 days later for the Classe and Rotel combo, I got hit with a 10% restocking fee. I almost bought a pair of paradigm speakers before that, but the retailer said if I didn't like how they sounded in my home, the only way he would take them back was if I was trading them up for a pair of Meridian digital speakers and willing to pay full MSRP sticker price!
Maybe it's just my area. I hate this state. I swore growing up as a kid that I'd never live here. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah... the resocking fees. It would have been way to expensive for me to try stuff in my home because of the way dealers in my area handle their customers. And they all do it, so it's not like you can just give 'em the finger and move on to the next guy. Right now I've got a 1 hour drive to this place. Really they've been the best of all, but "good" would be a strech. I really wish the higher end companies would start selling mail order.
I would have liked to take different amps home and try them out. I bought the Dennon 3300 based on reviews. When I took it back 2 days later for the Classe and Rotel combo, I got hit with a 10% restocking fee. I almost bought a pair of paradigm speakers before that, but the retailer said if I didn't like how they sounded in my home, the only way he would take them back was if I was trading them up for a pair of Meridian digital speakers and willing to pay full MSRP sticker price!
Maybe it's just my area. I hate this state. I swore growing up as a kid that I'd never live here. Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah... the resocking fees. It would have been way to expensive for me to try stuff in my home because of the way dealers in my area handle their customers. And they all do it, so it's not like you can just give 'em the finger and move on to the next guy. Right now I've got a 1 hour drive to this place. Really they've been the best of all, but "good" would be a strech. I really wish the higher end companies would start selling mail order.
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