High Current Delivery, Stable under tricky 'speaker loads, sonic signature does not shift at differing output levels, sweet highs, clear mids and solid/fast lows.
Build quality exceptional at the price-point.
Balanced (XLR) inputs a "MUST".

Using single-ended inputs, found background noise "pick-up" from other electrical conductors obtrusive - hence adoption of balanced (XLR) interconnects.

An audio system is just that - an audio "system"!
As a result, it is virtually impossible to review a single component in isolation - it is one element in a total system that includes not only the electronics, but also the listening room.

To put this review into context and perspective, the rest of the system comprises:

a. Listening Room: 27ft (L) x 26ft (W) x 11ft (H)
b. Pre-Amplifier: Classe' CP-50 with Classe' phono stage
c. Digital Source: Theta Data Basic 2 & DSPro Prime IIa
d. Vinyl Source: Linn LP12/Valhalla/Ittok/Cirkus/AT-OC5
e. Speakers: Tannoy Definition Series Model D700

The Tannoy D700's have a combination of high sensitivity (93dB/w) and low impedance (avg: 6 ohms, min: 3 ohms) - and, as a result, present a tricky load to the power amplifier. The CA-100 has never even sneezed in handling these speakers - even at very high SPL's. The Audiolab pair used to regularly activate their protection circuitry!

My musical tastes are broad and the overall combination handles all categories very well.

While I am sure that there are better power amplifiers on the market - few, if any, offer the value for money of the Classe' CA-100.

I've never regretted the purchase in what is now 5 years of very happy usage.

Similar Products Used:

Audiolab 8000A/8000P

emmm, isn't the title 'CA-100' ($1495) ? why is everyone reviewing the CA-100? ($1995)?

I have heard the CA100 (the power amp, not the integrated CAP100) in two separate systems, A/B'd against several other amps between $1000 and $2000. I can understand its appeal to some, but I didn't like it. The sound is smooth, to be sure, but darker than neutral, has a slight upper bass emphasis (centered perhaps around 160-170 Hz), and the overtones in the top 1 1/2 octaves don't quite line up (especially noticeable on solo violin, cymbals, and sniffs from individual musicians in small chamber ensembles). Some speakers may have phase anomalies in the top range that might offset this last flaw, but good time-aligned speakers such as the Thiel CS1.5 or CS.5 reveal the flaw. If you don't mind the sound, the CA100 is built like a tank and carries a great warranty. But I prefer the more neutral (if less warm) sound of the less expensive Sonographe SA250 (see review), which also projects a larger soundstage. For those desiring a warm sound in a solid-state unit in a similar price range, my preference would be the Conrad-Johnson MF2100, which has a midbass hump at a lower and (to my ears) more pleasing frequency than the CA100, and better alignment of the highs (though with just a trace of sweetening and rolloff).

i think that the cap-100 is probably the best sounding integrated amp in the market today, i recently bought a cap-100 and connected it with my current system composing of a CAL DX-2 cd player, def. tech. BP8B speakers, a pf1500subwoofer and wire world eclipse interconnects and the results are spectacular.
the soundstage is wide and very detailed. i don't know whether i'm qualified to give a review since i am only 18 yrs. old but i think i have heard enough high end equipment to make these comments. cap-100 highly recomended!!!

I have lived with the Classe CA-100 amplifier for six months now and am very pleased with how it delivers music through my KEF Reference Series Three loudspeakers. The preamp feeding the Classe is the Van Alstine Super PAS 3 tube unit.
The Classe has two pairs of inputs: an RCA pair and a balanced pair. The Van Alstine preamp is connected to the Classe using the RCA input pair. The one gripe I have with the Classe is the amount of hiss and hum noise that it sends to the loudspeakers when there is no input signal. The noise level seems excessive considering the build quality of the amp. For this I have deducted one star from what whould have been a five star rating. I noticed, however, that when I switch the amp to use the balanced input pair the noise level drops dramatically. Hmm...maybe Classe designed their amp to work best with the balanced inputs.

To be fair, the noise level is not so loud that it distracts from the listening experience. Listening from a distance of 10 feet from the loudspeakers, the noise is barely audible, and only when the room is dead quiet. Aside from this one flaw, the amp delivers superb sound.

The Classe CA-100 is a very refined amp that is able to present subtle musical details through the KEF loudspeakers. The most striking quality of this amp is its ability to present a three dimensional sound stage with every instrument located precisely in the space between the left and right speakers. And vocals are delivered with a huge sound -- I mean the voice sounds HUGE -- that makes the audio gear disappear altogether. These qualities are also qualities of the KEF design and the Classe amp brings out the best in these loudspeakers.

I have read that Classe amps (as well as the KEF loudspeakers) have a slight tendency to accentuate the upper mid frequencies. I noticed this when I used an old solid state preamp, before I got the Van Alstine Super PAS 3. With the tube preamp by Van Alstine, however, that upper mid range emphasis -- a slight harshness to the music -- disappeared to be replaced with a sweet, relaxing mid to high end. This combination of a tube preamp, to a solid state amp, to the KEF loudspeakers works well.

The KEF literature mentions that some owners of the Reference Serices Three have complained about too much bass from their loudspeakers. I had the same problem with another power amp -- the one I used before acquiring the Classe amp. That problem, however, went away with the Classe. This leads me to believe that the Classe CA-100 may actually be shy in the bass region. For me, bass is delivered in adequate amounts with full and deep sound pressure levels. But for those seeking thunderous bass, you had better look for another amp.

I'm now owning a set of onkyo pre-power amp. Knowing from my friends, they haverecommended me this classe amp, but I wish that you can kindly send me some
information about this amp though e-mail...... Thanks lot !!!!!!!!!!!

The classe ca-100 is a class act,not many amps at this price can beat it.Handles a broad range speakers with ease.Goes well with my audio note M2 and Minima Amator.Recommended

I have been in the market for a good high end amp to replace my old harman/kardon hk870 . I recently took home a CA-100 for audition and was quite please with the sound. My system has never sounded so good. I wasn't aware that an amplifier could make that much difference. Where I thought my speakers had weaknesses, the Classe amp proved that my speakers were not at fault, it was my power amp that was. The sound was much more open, three dimensional, and clean in the upper and mid-range than what I was used to hearing. The only negative I heard was that the bass just wasn't quite as deep as what my h/k amp produced. That was the only area where the Classe wasn't superior. The bass was much tighter however. The only other problem I encountered was some hiss. My speakers are extremely efficient, so this was a larger problem than it would've been with most other speakers. The dealer told me it was likely a grounding problem. This particular dealer also carries Krell, Mark Levinson, and Acurus equipment. His recommendation was the Classe because, according to him, you got more for your money with Classe. The Levinsons were in his reference system, but I don't have 20 grand to spend on amplifiers. Betweent the Krell and Classe, his suggestion was that the Classe was a smoother sounding amp, and the Krell would be more likely to give you listener fatigue over time. He did say that the Krells would go deeper however. For the money, his suggestion was that because of the Canadian exchange rate, the Classe amp would be equal to a Krell that was twice the price. I like deep bass, so that is the only reason I'm hesitant to get Classe. Right now I am still looking around and considering Classe, Threshold, Levinson, Krell, CJ, and Audio Research. The CA-100 would get 5 stars if the bass was just a bit deeper.

The Classe CA-100 is an amp with smooth tonal balance, easy treble, musically alive and with good and relaxed soundstage.Even the worst recordings sounds enjoyable with this amp.On the other side, bass definition suffers at lower volumes, turn the volume up and the bass gets punchier, but as always, without overwhelming the rest of the frequency range, this is not an amp that emphasize the huge bass.I use in my system the REL STRATA II Subwoofer so if I want huge bass I can have it.This amp has overall musicality and it's very harmonious.Recommended.

Very well built amp and it also looks nice. Good soundstaging and fine balance over whole frequency range, not as powerful bass as Krell amps but who needs emphasized bass anyway. I use ca-100 amp with marantz cd-67se, mccormack tlc-1 deluxe edition line control driving my oracle helicon speakers. Helicon's are quite demanding load but ca-100 performs very well. I would rate this as the best "budget" high-end amplifier around.