Design, build quality, reliability.
No circuit noise or hum in balanced mode

Slight 60hz hum in unbalanced mode

All together an excellent performance at the $1495 price point. Better overall sound balance than the 3BST but not as powerfull. The Classe CA101 provides a well balanced sound stage and has more front to back depth than the Bryston. The Bryston however delivers more deep and detailed bass. I chose the Classe because it is a musical and smooth amplifier, which I put down to the circuit design phylosophy of using many smaller capacity fields rather than 3 or 4 large storage capacitors. Also Classe make best use of Mosfet input stages and Bipolar outputs which gives the amp a transparency not heard in the Bryston.

My source equipment is fed to the Classe through a Bryston BP5 Preamp which is a super value because it includes a phono stage that actually works well with the Classe

I have no regrets with the Bryston Pre Classe CA101 match.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 3BST

Quality, soundstage, detail, focus

Acknowledgment should first be made that this amp was auditioned with a mini-monitor and sub-woofer system. Actual base response could not be reviewed due to the "bi-amp/sub-woofer" system. My taste in music revolves around smaller ensembles of either Jazz or Classical. Recording of Miles Davis to Holy Cole to Vivaldi to Handel. The Classe re-created these beautifully.

I auditioned the Classe, Bryston and Rotel with the following: AR LS15 pre-amp; CAL Alpha [24/96] Delta CD/Transport; Kimber Select balanced inter-conects [Silver Streak unbalanced w/ the Rotel]; Acoustic Energy AE-1 monitors; Velodyne HGS-10 sub; Kimber 8TC [bi-wired] speaker cable.

The sound-stage, image focus, air and detail are this amps strong points. The Bryston generated more mid-base response in my AE-1's [limited to 65htz]. The Bryston, with the sub, produced a mid-base rise at 80 htz of approximately 3db. I could not set the Velodyne to blend as well as it did with the Classe. The Rotel, though an excellent amp, could not produce the detail, air, nor sound-stage of either amp. Placement of instruments and detail made for very involved listening. Though lofty in it's description, this amp did allow me to experience the music more than with the other two.

In past reviews of the CA100, I have read complaints about "fat" mid-base and "dark and rolled off" at the top. I have not heard the CA100, but, can attest to the fact the CA101, in my set up, displayed none of these qualities. Everything about this amp from the sound to the look, feel and switches [though there are few] expresses quality. The Rotel felt cheap and did not recreate music to a level higher than other low/mid-fi products. The Bryston, though solidly built, produced an audible "pop" when the unit was turned off or when interconnects were removed. I do believe, in it's price-range, it is in a class by itself.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 3B-ST, Rotel 981

Sound quality, build quality (heavy), reputation, and price!

None

The Classe CA101 power amplifier is a great piece of equipment. I purchased this unit new and have owned it for approximately a year and half. I wanted to wait and really break it in before coming to any conclusions or writing my review. So here it is.
In a word, terrific! After extensive research (my girlfriend thinks I'm crazy) I have read countless reviews online at this site and many others, aswell as printed publications (ie: Stereophile, TAS, etc). And demoed much equipment at many high end stereo stores throughout the North Eastern U.S. and Canada, (Toronto and Montreal). This amplifier, for the money - has NO EQUAL. It is sweet and extended in the highs, liquid in the mids (no grain here), and commanding in the bass (within reason-we're not talking about $10k. 400watt monoblocks here). This is the perfect unit for those people who are tired of mid-fi japanese mass produced receivers or old/worn out separates from yester year.
This is the price of admission into high fidelity sound and I would highly recommend this amplifier to anyone who is ready to upgrade their sound system! Seize the day and audition it for yourself.


Current Audio System:

*I am planning to upgrade my equipment as follows: Speakers (B&W Nautilus or Proac towers) , Pre-amp (Classe CP 47.5 or Tubed Manufacterer), Cd player (Arcam w/ Ring DAC), and Cables (Balanced and heavy duty!). (Being as patient as I can).


Arcam Alpha 8 - CD player
NAD 6340 Cassette player w/ Dyneq, HX Pro, Dolby b&c
NAD 7240PE Receiver - (being used as Pre-amp)
Classe CA 101 - Amplifier
B&W 110i - Loudspeakers
Straightwire interconnects
Esoteric speaker cables

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, NAD, Adcom, Rotel, Moon, and many, many Japanese receivers.

I have heard both CA-100 (I own one) and CA-101. As far as I know they are exactly the same designs with different frontplate. Or does someone have better knowledge? (e-mail pls) Otherwise I think this one is great amp for the money too, not the best one I have heard but nothing in the same price-range seems to get even close to it when you listen to classical/jazz.

detail

I haven't found one

Clear, silent, very detailed, works great with any kind of speakers. I chose the Classé over the Bryston only because it was more detailed, the soundstage was more realistic and I could place the instruments in the room. Those were the differences that made me chose the Classé over Bryston, although the bryston is a very good amp and would have been my other choice.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 3B

Trasparent, fast, sound stage,

None at this price!

I had a chance to audition the Class CA 101 & CA 151 at home. I liked the sound of the CA 151 amp and thought it made the Bryston amps sound like pro gear. There was a warm, smooth and liquid sound that had good definition with decent image depth. But compared to the CA 101 it fell short. The CA 101 was shockingly good, incredibly trasparent with an abundance of low level detail, outstanding image focus, layered sound stage, extended airy treble and fast articulate bass. I guess that is why Class Audio is discontinuing the CA 151.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 7bs & 3bs, Class CA 151

Build quality, design, musicality, soundstage, detail of individual instruments

none for price range

Wanting to take the next step to true high end, I decided to treat myself to separate components. I felt that 100 watts/channel would be sufficient for my long narrow listening space. (more than sufficent, ask my wife). This amp allows me to get the best out of my set-up which I will describe later. The most important aspect I was looking for was musicality A+, and no listener fatigue, (none what so ever). Over the years I have been unable to find any mid-hifi equipment that would not cause listener fatigue, now i have it in spades. Soundstage, separtation, realism of voices, tight defined bass. Other equipment-van den hul,mit terminator 2, jupiter/IO cd, classe cp35 pre-amp, carver tuner, kimbercable interconnects, rega jura speakers. I listen to jazz, crooners and pop.

Similar Products Used:

Nadc340