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Are Classe Amps Good for B&W?

...and if so, which? I have a pair of B&W 704s and a Rotel 1070 amp/pre-amp combo. I want to upgrade the Rotels. I auditioned the new Krell 400 integrated, and although the expressiveness and emotive power were awesome, I felt that the music sounded constrained. The soundstage was small and instrument separation was poor. Then I auditioned the McCormack DNA 125 and corresponding pre-amp. All the quantifiable factors were great. It was clear, quiet, detailed, soundstage was huge and deep, everything excellently balanced and controlled. However I thought the sound of the music itself was very dry and emotionless. Rather than being neutral, the combo seemed to be neutralizing, regardless of what genre of music I played.

So basically I'm looking for the perfect marriage of the two. An amp/pre-amp with the expressiveness of the Krell with the instrument separation and fantastic soundstaging of the McCormack. I'm searching for a good price on a used Krell combo, but am also looking for some alternatives (preferably less expensive).

Does anyone have a Classe amp (perhaps a 200 or 201) with the B&W 704? How do you like it?

Thanks,R
rfprice
ehart
215 posts
 
Well, the system that made me understand that high-end audio was for real about 10 years ago was a Classe CDP, a Classe pre-amp (CP-35) with a 5-channel Classe amp driving B&W 805 monitors. There was a sub in there too. Specially sound-conditioned room obviously made a huge difference. Sounded fantastic, and all these years later I have somewhat recreated that system with a CP-35, CA-200 (201), and Celestion speakers that I like. So I have a soft spot for this combo.

I too moved up from Rotel gear (first the pre-amp, then the amp), and saw a huge difference, even more in the pre-amp than the amp, though both were very noticeable. If funds are tight, consider doing the pre-amp first.

This isn't too say that the Classe will be the *best* to your ears with your speakers, but I think you will find it an improvement.
honest1
586 posts
 
I remember Classe amps as beinjg a bit bright (mid90s), although I haven't listened to any in a while. A local dealer says they have changed there house sound in the past few years to be warmer, so it may depend on what year you're looking at. Not familiar w/ 704, but B&Ws tend to be somewhat laid back, so an older Classe might be just the thing. I agree with Ehart's high opinion of the CP35; I have one that was one of the best upgrades I had ever made. I wasn't so crazy about the amps at the time though, at least with the Spica speakers I was using at the time, or the Aerial speakers that were often used in the shops that sold Classe in my area.
ozz
17 posts
 
Classe and B+W have a joint partnership with each other, meaning that their equipment is tested to match up. So, you shouldn't have a problem with sound quality.
a1126lin
70 posts
 
i think the b&w partnership is recent. on the older model ie the matrix series. does anyone have experience with krell like the ksa series or levinson 330 series. i have 801 series 3 match with levinson 336, i agree that 801 is on the warm side, are levinson or krell consider warm sounding?
dodger4
61 posts
 
matched up a pair of classe ca m-400 delta series monos with b/w 803D very good match superb sound ,,pre is a cj16II
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