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ATI SIGNATURE SERIES 6005 OR CLASSE CT 5300??

Good afternoon all,
i am currently in the market for a 5 channel power amplifier. i just recently sold my classe audio ca 5200 and i truthfully LOVED IT. It has been THE BEST multichannel power amplifier i have owned PERIOD. I loved the smoothness and soundstage. i felt it had a taste of 'tube like sound' if you will. That being said, my plan was simply to move up to the ct 5300 which has more power and some say it has better bass control than the ca5200 which was one of the things it was criticized for. however, i started to read reviews on the new ATI SIGNATURE 6005 and its amazing noise floor etc and of course every magazine is raving about it. Having owned outlaw audio amplifiers before which are built by ATI as well, i am wondering if the signature series is just a little better than the regular at series ? they seem to be a little on the forward side, but i have spoken to several dealers who claim the signature series is neutral, not forward and that it is a spectacular upgrade over their regular series. However, i don't really see anyone else who has given it their own review and comparing against their former amplifier. yes, there is a reviewer who said it was just as good if not better than his parasound a51.
My current set up is martin logan montis, motif x, and i will eventually get the martin logan EFX surrounds. AS far as a processor, i am only using the ps audio dac as a preamplifier because i am waiting on the marantz 8802 to release in february. i would say i am about 60% music, 40% movies.
Given my situation, what would you guys get? i would love to know anyone's input.
128x128jays_audio_lab
clpetersen
7 posts
 
ATI makes excellent amplifiers. Well designed and well built in a no-frills chassis. If you go to their website there is a nice power point slide show on their factory in soutern CA.
Have the 2002 model (2 channel, 300 wpc @ 4 ohm, balanced). Also have Naim amplifiers and have had Copland hybrid integrated. I think the ATI does as well as the Naim at low listening levels and in this case (being more powerful) has much better punch for large dynamic range pieces (e.g symphonies). Better than the Copland in all respects. I sense ATI specs are fairly reported and are very impressive. Does what it is supposed to do, no more, and runs very cool as well. Case is well built and has a nice design, but no 12mm thick machined faceplates.

Subjectively, I find the sound stage to very stable which to me indicates a very good phase linearity across the audio spectrum, as evidenced by the specs as well.
jays_audio_lab's avatar
jays_audio_lab OP
5,381 posts
 
i do like your feedback. However, i had the classe ca 5200 and i was floored when i heard its smoothness and soundstage. I still feel it is by far the BEST multichannel power amplifier i have owned. I am just VERY afraid of ordering the ATI and i don't feel as impressed as i was when i first heard the Classe. Something else that makes me afraid of the ATi 6005 signature is that it DOES NOT do 600 watts into 4 ohms. It only does 450 ohms and when i called them to question them why the power doesn't double, their answer was that it would mean that the amp would have to be MUCH LARGER and that it would need more capacitor, etc, etc. I feel like that was not a really good answer. I mean, it has been well known that an amplifier which DOES NOT double its power when presented with 4 ohms, it is simply NOT as efficient as one who does. I mean, the amplifier is already LARGE so why not go all out and make it double its power? Anthem does this with the p5, Classe audio does this with their CT5300 and CA5300, so why couldn't ATI do it when they are supposed to be amazing when it comes to power amplifiers? i mean, this is THEIR expertise.
I have the funds in hand to do this, but something isn't feeling right about the ATI. I can't pin point it. I feel as it is just another ATi with a different face plate.
clpetersen
7 posts
 
Classe makes a very good amplifier, no doubt. But i do think you may be looking at specs soemwhat misleadingly (and manufacturers often help this along). Not saying Classe does this, I doubt it. But:

1. Doubling down. Yes this is indicative of a good power supply backing up the amplifier section. However, amp manufactures are known to downplay their 8 ohm power to get doubling down on their specs. For example, one rrecently tested (wish I could remember the post) amp rated 8 ohms at 200 but actually delivered over 300. However the specs said: 200/400 for 8/4 ohms to look better. The 400 was accurate and the 200 was also accurate but deliberately understated.

2. 600 vs 450 - not terribly important. Only about 1.2 db louder- barely noticeable. Look more at slew rate - how fast can the amp respond to a rapid change in signal and create the dynamic punch? if the amp can get to 600W, but takes a 1/2 second to get there, so what? (exaggerating)

You would not be unhappy with Classe at all. But I don't think the reasons you cited are the right ones. Buy what you like and have fun!
runnin
397 posts
 
Have you looked into Bryston or Cary Audio?
timlub
2,039 posts
 
Both are fine amplifiers, I have not compared them. My questions is... With such a love affair with the Classe, why go elsewhere? Unless you can borrow something or get one on loan, why kick yourself later? You have pre sold yourself on the Classe.
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