I too have owned and found the Classe Seventy to be a very musical amp worthy of the excellent praise it received in The Absolute Sound when it was in its early production. I know many other well seasoned audiophiles whose ears I trust that feel this was an excellent design and a great deal for what it cost.
What I find somewhat sad are the responses from Zaiksman and particularily Bigbry. Based on one of Classe's entry level preamps Bigbry feels the need to criticize not only the model Seventy, which he's never even heard, but the entire Classe line. Bigbry, I'm curious what the point of your post is since you obviously have no real experience to offer, just negative criticism of what another member has found to be very nice. I have not heard the 30, but I have extensive experience with with the DR-6 and CP-60 preamps, the DR-15, CA-300 and CA-100 amps, as well as the Seventy and they are anything but "muddy, dark, and shut in with low resolution."
Zaikesman, you obvioulsy fall clearly into the tubes are better than solid state camp and I'm not about to argue that the Seventy is better than the CJ MV-55 since I've not compared them, but they are a different approach and suit different tastes and systems. But come on, comparing the Seventy to mass market receivers? Put into the right system the Seventy is a very musically satisfying amplifer and represents a very nice value at current used prices. Obviously Ferrari has found this to be true in his system, and as you have mentioned, so have many others. So I ask you as well, what is the point of your post? To me it is just critical of what another member has found to be excellent based on their taste and experience. Finally, you might want to be a little more sure of Classe's history of design before posting. All of the early designs with the DR designation were designed by David Riech (sp?) when Classe was a very small company. The DR designation was dropped when DR left and Glen Grue(sp?)took over the company and its designs. The Seventy, Ten, Fifteen, and Twentyfive were all designed by GG as were the preamps, but retained similarities to the earlier DR designs. Of these the Seventy and Fifteen were the most popular. Classe has grown into a large company and today, according to one of their techs, a design team is responsible for their designs.
Thanks for your post Ferrari, I enjoyed reading it. I have also heard very nice things about your Marsh preamp and it sounds like a good match for the Seventy. I found it interesting your use of the DCM Time Windows, a very inovative design in its day and apparently still very enjoyable today in your system. Enjoy the music!
What I find somewhat sad are the responses from Zaiksman and particularily Bigbry. Based on one of Classe's entry level preamps Bigbry feels the need to criticize not only the model Seventy, which he's never even heard, but the entire Classe line. Bigbry, I'm curious what the point of your post is since you obviously have no real experience to offer, just negative criticism of what another member has found to be very nice. I have not heard the 30, but I have extensive experience with with the DR-6 and CP-60 preamps, the DR-15, CA-300 and CA-100 amps, as well as the Seventy and they are anything but "muddy, dark, and shut in with low resolution."
Zaikesman, you obvioulsy fall clearly into the tubes are better than solid state camp and I'm not about to argue that the Seventy is better than the CJ MV-55 since I've not compared them, but they are a different approach and suit different tastes and systems. But come on, comparing the Seventy to mass market receivers? Put into the right system the Seventy is a very musically satisfying amplifer and represents a very nice value at current used prices. Obviously Ferrari has found this to be true in his system, and as you have mentioned, so have many others. So I ask you as well, what is the point of your post? To me it is just critical of what another member has found to be excellent based on their taste and experience. Finally, you might want to be a little more sure of Classe's history of design before posting. All of the early designs with the DR designation were designed by David Riech (sp?) when Classe was a very small company. The DR designation was dropped when DR left and Glen Grue(sp?)took over the company and its designs. The Seventy, Ten, Fifteen, and Twentyfive were all designed by GG as were the preamps, but retained similarities to the earlier DR designs. Of these the Seventy and Fifteen were the most popular. Classe has grown into a large company and today, according to one of their techs, a design team is responsible for their designs.
Thanks for your post Ferrari, I enjoyed reading it. I have also heard very nice things about your Marsh preamp and it sounds like a good match for the Seventy. I found it interesting your use of the DCM Time Windows, a very inovative design in its day and apparently still very enjoyable today in your system. Enjoy the music!