Do i get the old or new Classe amps?

About one year ago I listened to the Clase CA 151 in comparison to the Classe CA 150. I could discern no appreciable difference between the two. I also happen to like the cosmetic styling of the older CA series better than the new series. With that being the case, I purchased a CA 150 used here on the AudiogoN site and paired it with a Classe Six preamp also purchased used through AudiogoN. The Six is sonically superior, IMO, to its predecesor, the Classe DR-6. I believe the excellent quality phono section alone on the Six is worth the preamp's value used. The older series Classe gear has been reviewed in many of the audiophile publications. These reviews can frequently be found in the product archives on the publication's (Stereophile magazine, etc.) websites. They might provide a starting point, or frame of reference, for comparison. Trust your ears, and good luck with your own comparisons.

The newer amps are perhaps a tad more top end extended throughout the new line. The CA151 might be the same as the older CA150 though. I liked the CA150 more than any of the other classe amps(never tried the CA400 though). I owned the CA100/150/300, all. The CA150 was the best of these, easily. However, the older amps were not that strong at all! They claimed doubling into 4 ohms, but I think this was stretched! They didn't drive several of my speakers that strong really, and didn't float the sound like they should have on speakers such as Thiel 2.3's(althought acceptable), and Sonus Faber Minima and Electa Amators. There are stronger amps out there, yes. Even McCormack DNA.5's, Aragon's amps, Krell's, Bryston, Pass X150, Coda 0-100,Older Threshold, etc, all were stronger. I like the sound for the money on the older CA series stuff, but top end is not as extended on the older series as other better stuff, and it's slightly Euphonic sounding, with less sharp immaging. Depending on speakers, for the money, you may get away with using the classe's with no problem. Well balanced amp for the $ though, worth a shot if the price is right...what speakers do you have?...preamp?...etc.

I had the CA 300 and liked it real well. I had a chance to buy the 301(demo) for a very good price and did. I found that the 301 did not have the hum that the 300 had. The 301 seemed more open, had more air in its sound. Both amps were ran in the same system and I like the 301 better in all area's. As far as what to buy, taht would be up to what kind of deal you can get. I could live with either design.However, sometimes I find myself regreting the fact that I did not spend a little bit more money to get the better model. Good Luck!!