Classe vs. Anthem vs. Parasound

I thought the Classe was the better amp.. But the company that bought Classe did some shady business practice.. Stored my credit card info when it was supposed to be 1 time use and then charged my card 1 1/2 years later without notification.. Not sure if its ok to name the company now even though I kind of did.. I'll PM you if you want it.. I guess maybe get the Classe amp but do not send it to "Classe" for any repairs unless you're ok with the above explanation.. 

oem-wheels

Can you please clarify why you would pick Parasound over classe? Classe is still very much in business. Is your reason only because they charged your card twice ? 

it was Classe

Thank you.. That rules out anthem. 

I’ve had both the Parasound A21 and Classe CA2200 .. I liked the Classe better.. More detail.. That said I’d choose the Parasound.. Company still doing business.. Just in case you need an amp repair.. The company that purchased Classe I had a bad experience with them recently.. Forgot their name as of now.. About 1 1/2 years ago I’d sent my Classe in for repair because I was having a popping sound.. Thought for sure the amp was the problem. Turns out it wasn’t the amp.. So I had them just check it out to make sue everything was good while it was there and send it back.. I paid them.. all good.. Then 1 1/2 years later they charged my card again.. Without any notice.. Got it resolved through the bank but still, pretty shady business.. Kept my info stored then dinged it

Agreed with ps.

I wouldn't pair Anthem amps with the Focal. You would need warm rich full bodied sounding amp and electronics and cablings to pair with the Focal. 

I recently auditioned an Anthem Integrated played through Focal Sopra 1. "Dry" is understating the nature of the sound. I found it grating and edgy, overall quite unpleasant. YMMV.

The Classe CA-5100 had been discontinued ages ago like some 15+ years ago. It's impossible to get it brand new. The seller must have lied to you. The Classe CA-5100 was an old amp or I would say an older Classe Delta series amp and was an entry level five-channel amp from Classe back then. Just like Audiotroy said above that older Classe amps are on the warmer side of neutral and might be suitable for your Focal since the Focals are analytical sounding speakers and tend to be on the lean & brighter side and are very forward.   

The other two amps (Parasound Halo A52+ and Anthem P5) are new and current model amps. 

For your Focal speakers I would get the Parasound Halo A52+ amp since this is a rich full bodied sounding amp and tonally on the warmer side of neutral. I would avoid using Anthem amps for your Focal speakers. In general, I am not that impressed with Anthem amps, their HT pre pro such as the AVM60 is awesome with its ARC2 room correction and is a bargain at $3k brand new. 

The Anthem power amplifier is a bit on the clean but drier side.

The Parasound is a big rich full bodied sound and that is a great price but Ebay would scare me. 

The Classe is a very warm amplifier and this model is an older design.

I would look at the Parasound pay a smidge more and get it from a dealer.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ