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Classe 15 vs Classe CA200

Between the Classe 15 and the Classe CA200 power amplifiers, which would be a better match for a system with a tube preamp. I like and listen to all types of music. Please note that the difference in power (175 WPC vs 200 WPC) is not important. Your comments and recommendations  are greatly appreciated.
tgrct

Showing 2 responses by stereo5

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,504 posts
 
I had a Classe’ 15 amp which I purchased new in 1999. I believe I paid $2900.00 from Ensemble in Nashua, NH. I liked it a lot but after I bought a new Odyssey Stratos Extreme in 2010, I realized how muddy the Classe’ 15 sounded. I ended up giving it away to someone that bought an audio rack from me. The Classe was very well made but......


I would think the CLasse’ CA 200 to be the better sounding amp since it was a newer design.  Going from 175-200wpc means nothing.  I had a Classe 10 amp before I bought the  Classe 15 and going from 100-175wpc was not really noticeable.  
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,504 posts
 
@tonykay ...................I would have loved to give it to you. Those amps were bridgable.  The 15 was not as good as the DR15.  Glen Grue made the amp more profitable for Classe’ by redesigning the circuit and using cheaper parts.  I read the 15 was better, but after hearing the DR15 found the latter to sound better.  
The Odyssey did indeed sound better than the Classe’.  I was running Vandersteen 2Ci speakers back then. The Odyssey amp is the only amp out of many that I went through that I wish I never sold. 
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