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Classe CAM 350 monoblock vs Classe CAM-400 or Bryston 4B3

I am looking at two Classè audiogon postings. A Classe CAM 350 monoblock ($4,449) vs Classe CAM-400 monoblock ($4,900).


I don’t know Classè amps all that well but the earliest reviews I can find for the CAM 350 go back to 2001. The CA-400 may go back to 2009, when was the CAM-400 last made? I don’t know. Any differences in reliability or performance?

Should I assume both need to be recapped? Does one amp run hotter than the other? Is one Class A the other class AB?

Are there any Classè experts out there? I’d guess for the newer more powerful CAM-400 and extra $450 is not much of a difference everything else being equal.

As an audiogon virgin, having never bought or sold here I don’t know that “everything else is equal”.  I don't know how much to trust what I read.

All source material will be FLAC files. Speakers are Magnepan 3.7i about two years old. I know I love how Classè sounds but I worry about the heat making the room unlivable.  My taste in music is eclectic, almost anything except rap.

Perhaps the cool alternative would be a used Bryston 4B3 which Audiogon has 4 for sale at $4,100 - $4,500, any of which would have to be newer and less expensive than the Classè amps.  I have never listened to Bryston 4B3 on magnepan 3.7i speakers.  I don't know if I would like it?

A little guidance for the blind, but not deaf, yet, please; thank you.


timothywright
timothywright OP
55 posts
 
Last night I called Sanders in Colorado and ordered a Magtec which should arrive next Monday about dinner time.  It has been a circus, the Classé dealers is no longer selling Classé. The local Bryston- McIntosh - Magnepan dealer is “kind of” open but not for me.  A long distance Bryston deal went bad.


I should interject that the Bryston deal was with EchoHiFi.com in Portland OR and in my experience they were not forthright and square with neither me nor the consignee. Specifically I was told my debt card was declined when it was never tried and that the consignee had changed his mind when in truth he was never contacted.

 I am looking forward to listening to my Magtec. I read on Audioasylum that perhaps I should have considered a power amp with a Hypex or a NC1200 board and saved a lot of money. There is a guy who lives a half hour drive away selling a nord acoustic on audiogon. I offered he bring it over so I can listen and I’d pay cash. He told me doesn’t deliver, or take cash. But he was desperate to sell and wanted $750 over MSRP?

 In contrast Sanders could not have been any better to do business with.  I already went into CorelDraw and sketched out a wiring diagram. Unexpectedly at Sanders it was recommended that I preferentially use the unbalanced connectors.

 And thank you to all for their gracious assistance.


jakesnak
176 posts
 
Timothy, Here is my 2 cents for now and the future...Always a gamble buying used...The Classe' gear was built to last...My 600's were used...I don't know anything about their current gear or the company...People who have this level of gear(the former company) usually take care of what they have...Good luck!....John
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hk_fan
416 posts
 
I compared the CAM-400's to the Parasound JC-1's and the Parasound was a clear winner to my ears.  I still own them after many years while nearly all of the surrounding components have changed.

Today I wouldn't consider the older Classe equipment just for the maintenance aspects, but that's me.
mike_in_nc
1,125 posts
 
Timothy,

That McIntosh dealer who said you should listen to a product but not in your own home -- nuts!

Echo is a local dealer I’ve been happy with. I’m beyond disappointed to hear of your experience.

Roger Sanders was great when I auditioned a Magtech. I hope the amp pleases you, so you don’t have to go through any more aggravation.

We hear weeping for the fading of brick-and-mortar stores. But local dealers often don’t offer the level of service given by Internet dealers. Again, nuts!
naimfan
166 posts
 
You could also try PS Audio M700s.  New, powerful, good sounding, and cool running.

And available in black!  😉
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