Review: Classe Audio 70 Amplifier


Category: Amplifiers

This was purchased from fellow Audiogon Member this past summer. For all practical purposes this amp is in like new condition and came with box and manual and not a flaw to be had.

Had always wanted to try a Classe amp and had heard some very good things about the Classe brand. The Model 70 had impressed me several years ago with its musicality and that first impression remains true today. With the Model 70 Classe remained true to their doctrine that all products regardless of price must deliver the music with astounding depth and clarity. The Model 70 does that with exceptional ease. New these sold for $1,195.00 and sell now for about half that amount. Have kept their value well and continue to deliver one dynamic performance after another. This one of the very best class a/ab amplifiers I have ever owned and I have owned some of the very best in the last 47 years. Been in this hobby since 1957, so I can speak with some knowledge.

The Classe 70 is mated to a Marsh P 2000 pre-amp driving some vintage Time Window speakers and I could not be more happy with this current set up. This is in my second system,that now I am listening to more each day. In fact the Time Windows have never sounded better, the Classe does a remarkable job of extracting the best from the Time Windows.

The initial program material I listen to was Chris Botti "Night Sessions". One of the more 3 dimensional presentations I have heard. Sounded as though Chris was in the room. Next up was Earl Klugh "Sudden Burst of Energy". Another unexpected experience. Earls guitar just jump to life and if one listens closely can hear Earls finger work as he strikes the strings. Amazing definition. From there just had to try some Rock n Roll and used the venerable Santana Abraxas recording for its many instruments and tonal qualities. Once again my expectations were not disappointed. The Classe 70 can rock and deliver bass with authority that belies its power rating.

Specifications:

75 Watts stereo,high current design,sleek curved slimline chassis with dual heat sinks at rear,both regular and fully balanced operation switchable.

Frequency Response : 20Hz to 20KHz +/- 0.1 dB

Sensitivity : 900 mV in for rated output

Input Impedance : 70 K Ohms

S/N Ratio : More than 100 dB

Rated Output : 8 ohms 75 Watts Stereo

4 ohms 150 Watts Stereo

Dimensions: Gross : 22"x 19 1/2" x 10 1/2"
Net : 19" x 11 3/4" x 4 7/8"

Weight: Gross : 35 lbs
Net : 30 lbs

The Classe Model 70 will have a very long time in my second system. It does the one thing I ask all Stereo Components and that is to deliver the music with depth,clarity,detail and transparency. I does so with amazing ease.

For me this is as good as it gets for Class A/AB amplifiers. If there is better out there in this price range I have yet to hear it.

Associated gear
Marsh P 2000 Pre Amp,Sony CD Player,Denon DVD Player,DCM Time Window Speakers.

Similar products
Bryston 3B,Parasound Halo,Rega,Sim Audio,Muse,etc.
ferrari

Showing 4 responses by ferrari

One only has to look at the similiar products in the review to understand where I placed the Classe 70.

By no means can the Classe 70 compete with esoteric tube gear or high end Class A output amps such as Pass Labs,Threshold/Forte. Nor can it compete with the Classe DR line.

But for what it is I find it is one of the true bargains of high end. The Classe 70 has in recent times become somewhat of a cult item such as the NAD 3020 and others that have held the test of time.

Few of us will ever own FM Acoustic gear. I just cannot justify $30,000.00 for a preamp and $50,000.00 for a Power Amp. While that gear represents the pinnacle it is just not for the mass crowd of high end. Plus most of us just do not posses the golden ear to fully appreciate.

This review was to let the budget minded among us, that this product is of merit. Two channel audio is an ever evolving process and that few of us will ever own the crowning achievement of the designers art. With that in mind this review was presented.

Many thanks to the respondents of this review, your opinions are most welcome.
Well this week end was most interesting to say the least. Several people showed to audition the Acoustat Model 2 speakers.

Not wanting to dismantle my main system for this audition I used the Classe 70 Amp, Marsh P 2000 PreAmp and the Classe CDP .5 CD Player. Used the standard factory supplied power cords with each unit. The interconnects were the old Golden-ens(remember those?) for PreAmp to Power Amp. CD interconnects to Pre Amp were just standard Sony issue I had here,never used. Speaker wire was the Original Monster Cable from about 1982 or so. Basically just to show the Acoustats worked for the prospective buyer. Had the Acoustat Model 2 plugged in for about 3 days to help stabilize them. Usually takes 7 days for the transformers to really come on line.

What ensued was quite remarkable, even as jaded as I am, was taken aback. First I did not expect the Classe 70 to be really able to handle the Acoustat load. Acoustats have a widely varying ohm load and are quite reactive. Takes a very special amp to handle Acoustats. Before the first customer arrived fired up this system and was totally amazed at the ease the Classe 70 was driving the venerable Acoustats and at very loud levels at that. Oh well perhaps a little prejudice here, the real test is the customer response to this system.

First gentleman to arrive had brought his own amp and speaker cables to audition with the Acoustats. After hearing what I was playing, decided it was a moot point to bring in his amp. Which was far costlier and very high end to boot. I left him to his own devices as he had brought many CDs he wanted to evaluate on the Acoustats. He spent well over two hours here. He just couldn't get over the sonic signature he had been hearing. Kept saying seamless,liquid and detail he had not heard before. And was totally floored when he as informed no special cable or interconnects and 22 year old monster cable. He had admitted visting several high end stores locally and had heard nothing that came even close to this.

Next person came over with his amp and once again decided just to audition the CDs he brought along. His amp was an Audio Research D120 recenlty back from AR service. The result was very much the same as with the first person,totally amazed at what he had heard. I think his wife opposed the Acoustats due to their size and room decor. Who knows I think he will be back.

Third person over was a gentleman from a very well respected name in High End Audio, although I did not know this until he handed me his card at the end of the day. This was not the usual audition, he really knew his way around high end gear. Totally examined the entire system, ask what power cords, interconnects, speaker wire, any mods to the Classe or Marsh or Classe CD Player, told him all stock out of the box units. He made the comment that he would not have belived the Classe 70 could power the Acoustats let alone produce the signature that it produced.And noted that the Classe heat sinks were quite warm but one could leave there hand there without discomfort. He as well had brought a lot of CDs to audition so I left him to indulge. As a last request he wanted me to open remove the top of the Classe 70 amp so he could have a look inside. Oh well what the hell, complied with his wish. Remove the top, he examined so closely that i thought he was going to climb inside. You're right he said, factory stock, no mods. This is a most remarkable system here. I almost do not believe what I am hearing. Plus the stock cords,cables, and speaker wire! He informed me who he was and that this was one of the top five systems he had ever heard-period! This coming from who he was totally stunned me. Lets face it I literally threw this together just to audition the Acoustat Model 2 I wanted sell.

So here's the dilemma is the Classe 70 really that good or is it the combination of components? This is the first time I have put the Classe 70 to the Acoustat Model 2 and must say it does sound fabulous, much better than I had ever thought it would. I wasn't interested in selling the entire system, so that may have been the reason they haven't sold as of yet.

At this point may very well keep the system. To say the least a most interesting week end. The Classe 70 performed far above my expectations, and I already like the Classe 70 very much indeed, but this has been a total eye opener for me.
I am reporting what the prospective buyers were saying of what they heard. My main amazement was that the Classe 70 could handle and drive the Acoustats-period-let alone drive them so very well indeed. I have yet to use one of my Forte or Threshold Class Amps,nor have I tried other power cords or interconnects. The room is not very ideal carpet on floor no drapes or such on the walls. I would not call it an ideal room at all.

Have two other appointments this week end to audition the Acoustats. So we will see what ensues. Although I have one call back now from one of the first three. Wanting the entire system.

I have spoken with a few people whose opinions I value and have been in high end as long as I have since 1957, actually before high end. It is their considered opinion, that the Marsh PreAmp, and Classe CDP .5 has a lot to do with the sonic signature, both are dual mono operating in class A output.

I haven't listen to the system since Sunday night and won't listen to it again till Saturday when the prospective buyers arrive to audition the Acoustats. We will see once the Acoustats have had more that 7 days to season in.
Sat - Have posted pics of the Classe 70 that I wrote this review about it does have the red caps. Cant post pic here will open another thread.