Classe CP-35 pre and Classe in general


Hello folks,

I just brought home a CP-35 to audition it as a step up from the Rotel RC-1072 and Acurus RL-11 I had been auditioning. I liked it -- excellent high-end, very natural. Less harsh than the Acurus, but better definition
than the Rotel. This is the only pre-amp in it's range I've seriously auditioned.

This is a dealer demo, for $900, I believe list is $1200.

I'm a bit concerned by the reviews I saw on Audioreview.com. Usually reviews there are positive (even for stuff that's less nice to listen to),but these were decidely mixed. All the reviews for all the Classe equipment were pretty old. This made me wonder if people are still buying this equipment. The most recent CP-35 review (which wasn't very recent)described this as a discontinued model, though it is listed on the Classe
website as "new". Several reviewers mentioned background "hiss" or "noise" as a problem, though I don't hear it in my demo unit.

The higher-end pre-amps (CP-50 and CP-60) got more decidely positive (though old) reviews.

Has anyone compared this entry-level pre-amp to the higher-end Classe stuff, or other stuff in it's price range?

Here are some other questions/concerns (feature questions):

-- The remote is nice (better than the Acurus, which doesn't allow input switching), but doesn't appear to allow controlling a CD player. If you buy a Classe CD player, do you need two remotes?

-- No headphone jack. But there are two sets of pre-amp outputs, so I guess you hook up one of them to a separate headphone amplifier? If so, it appears you turn off your speakers by turning off your power amp. In many cases, this can't be done remotely.

-- The Classe amps and CD players are expensive, in case I want to "match" them. I haven't auditioned these, what do people think of them?

-- Is the company likely to be around for awhile?

Thanks for any comments/feedback you can offer.

- Eric

p.s. Sorry if you saw this on rec.audio.high-end. I posted there three days ago, but it seems the moderators have taken memorial day weekend off, so no posts have made it there. I'm hoping to get some suggestins by tomorrow when I have to return this gear!

Thanks...
ehart5808

Showing 2 responses by blbloom

Ehart. I suggest you call Classe and speak with Robert Adam. He is very generous with time and information. He has been quite helpful with me. I owned two CA151s and a CP50. The CP50 is a nice preamp and could be found used for around $1200. If interested, make sure you get the right remote. There are some sold with an older remote that doesn't allow full use of the functions. There is a slight hum that can be heard at the speakers if you put your ear near to them. This is caused by the large power supply. I was informed of this by Classe, before I bought mine. It did not bother me, but this is probably what the reviews you metioned were refering to. The newer model. the 47.5 doesn't have this problem, but I do not think it is as good overall, nor worth the price, considering other options.

I understand your desire to stay with one brand. Many people I know feel the same way. I do not. I prefer the best sound I can get within a budget and have mixed and matched my system over the years. I have heard Classe amps sound great with Conrad Johnson, VTL, Bat and Sim preamps. I always wanted to get my hands on a CA400. I think it is a great amp, Maybe someday. I just bought a Rowland Concentra II, and have stopped looking for the time being. Good luck.
Vermonter, I used to shop there also. Select the merchandise on a computer and wait for it to come up on a conveyor belt. No salesman "interface". Hey, there's an idea!