I have read the same criticisms and wondered myself. So I went out and bought a used DR-8. I had a Four Preamp, which I really liked.
The DR-8 didn't sound dark, it didn't sound grainy or textured or euphonic, etc. Basically, like the Four, it seemed to have little character of its own and was very transparent. That said, I had been using a tube amp before, and was used to a little more warmth and some more roll-off in the highs than the Classe offered. I may have been able to get it to work for me with some cable rolling and maybe my speakers with metal dome tweeters were not an ideal match, but the amp developed an intermittant short in one channel so I returned it. Actually this is unusual as Classe stuff is overbuilt and I have never had any problems with my preamp. I do not think Classe gear is highly flawed.
The DR-8 didn't sound dark, it didn't sound grainy or textured or euphonic, etc. Basically, like the Four, it seemed to have little character of its own and was very transparent. That said, I had been using a tube amp before, and was used to a little more warmth and some more roll-off in the highs than the Classe offered. I may have been able to get it to work for me with some cable rolling and maybe my speakers with metal dome tweeters were not an ideal match, but the amp developed an intermittant short in one channel so I returned it. Actually this is unusual as Classe stuff is overbuilt and I have never had any problems with my preamp. I do not think Classe gear is highly flawed.