Biasing Classe power amps


Has anyone played with the bias of these amps? I have heard that less bias will make it sound more class AB, aggressive and powerful while higher bias will make it sound more like class A amps, more warmth but less powerful! Some people set it very high! Very hot!
Please give me your opinion.
luna

Showing 2 responses by reb1208

Answer: Yes

Higher bias gives a warmer and more powerful sound. Highs sound rounder and therefore some may find that less aggressive. You have to find the sweet spot in the bias that jells with your speakers. You also have to know what you are doing. Easy on the DR's and numbered series. Wouldn't mess with the CA's, (more complex design)and those are kinda a lost cause sonically anyway. But hey, thats just my opinion.

Also, it's not just set and forget. The sound changes with room temperature. So, the season changes- the cover comes off for a tweak session or two.

Classe amps are so bias sensitive, they have an industry rep for no two sounding quite the same. YMMV
I'm very pleased to hear this news LUNA. "And then using hearing for fine tuning the center balance". Yes, in fact this is the only way to achieve "in home" results. This is one reason that drove me to take matters into my own hands. From the factory, new out of the box. The channels will not sound 100% equal in your room. They set the bias precisely, but the passive components vary in "sonics". You will have to technically set each channel at a different level. That is why the spec is +/- 1.5 to the reference. One channel may be -1.5, the other +1.5 and sound identical.
Realize that the bias effects the gain of each channel. And probably the input sensitivity as well. Classe is not the only amp that benefits from hands on bias setting. Good job- enjoy your monies worth.