The strength of the ca-150 is its' warm sweet sound. Like all the amps I've auditioned near this price point you just can't have it all. Ideally I'd like to have the pace and open detail of the Sumo, the warmth of the classe and the precise soundstage and dynamics of the audio research. That's not a put-down, I'm very pleased overall with the classe and it's my first choice. Because of its' warm involving sound and respectable presentation of detail, dynamics and imaging - not because it's the 'ultimate' amp. It is very good, though.

I've been using my CA-150 for two years now, and I am verysatisfied. The sound is precise (through Thiel speakers)
and the dynamics are excellent. I should point out that my
listening room is fairly small and I rarely even approach
50% on the preamp volume control, however I tend to listen
to a lot of percussive music where big transients can sort
out the men from the boys in the power amp department.

Build quality and overall design seems to be first class.
I have had my amp converted to 240V for operation in U.K.,
no problems encountered.

I auditioned a CA150 and CA300 in my search for an amp in the 2 - 3k price range, along with an Aragon 8008BB, and MacKormick DNA-1 DLX.
Build quality on all Classe amps is beautiful. The Classe sound leans more towards warmth, with a round, full bass, a rich sounding mid range, and treble that won't offend anyone. These amps also throw a large, and deep soundstage.

The CA150 has plenty of punch and reserve, but compared to the slam on tap with the CA300 there is a considerable difference between the two.

What I found lacking (subjective preference) was a sense of pace, or involvement in the music. That said, the Classe sound might suit those who prefer a less vivid presentation.

Ultimately I chose to purchase the Mackormick DNA-1 DLX for just a little more money then the CA150. It has more power, is more detailed, exhibits better punch, and most important (for me) it got me involved in the music.

If I had the money however, I would consider the CA300 for its effortless presentation.

If you are looking for a high quality amp and Krell, Levinson, and the like are beyond your means you should include the Classe amps on your audition list. They are priced slightly higher then Bryston, Mackormick, Aragon, ... but they may be just what your looking for.

I owned a Classe'CA150 for approx.3 months.This was after home auditioninga Classe'CA100.The CA150 had better bass and a smoother top-end than the
CA100.Classe' amps are well built,decent sounding,but just ordinary amps.
I have never been blown away by the sound of either amp or by the CA200,CA300,
or CA400 either.If I had never heard what a Krell amp could do for a system,
I probobly could have lived with the CA150 for a long time.Once I heard a
Krell amp,there was no turning back.I immediatly traded in the Classe' for
a Krell KSA100s loosing a substantial amount of money in the process(Classe'
amps have very low trade-in value).The Krell outright out-performs any
Classe' amp that I have ever heard.The Krell has better bass,a better soundstage,more detailed top-end,and a more immediate presentation.The Classe'
amps sound as if they have muddy bass,pushed back mids,and a rolled off top
end in comparison to Krell amps.In comparison,the Classe just sounds broken.
I had my local Classe' dealer "trick" me into buying a Classe' amp by saying
that Classe' is the "Canadian Krell".Not so.This dealer used to carry Krell
and got dropped by Krell after they found out that they were lying to they're
customers.This dealer consequently is no longer in buisness.When asked why
they were going out of buisness,they replied "because you bought Krell".Most
Classe' dealers will lie to you in order to sell you Classe' over Krell.Don't
fall victim to them like I once did.Although,the Classe'CA150 is not a bad
amp(or any other Classe'amp for that matter)I think that one can do much better
for the money.One is better off buying a Krell KAV300i,a used Krell KST100,
Krell KAV250a,or even a used Krell 100s.You will be happier in the long run.
The Classe is better than Adcom,Rotel,NAD,and B&K.For the money it should be.
It is just not up to Krell's level of performance.In comparison the Classe'
just is very ordinary.

The Classe 150 is a Jem. I have found the amp to be authenticallyneutral to classical music. That is, I feel as if I am listening
to a symphony orchestra while sitting in my room. This amp is
wonderfully constructed.

I've had this amp since October and I think it is pretty good. I bought it so I could find out how a good solid state amp compares to the 8 wpc SET I had been playing for about a year. Earlier I had tried an Adcom 5400 for this comparison, but it was no contest and the Adcom went back to the dealer.
The Classe is a better contender. For one thing it is well behaved - no clicks pops etc on power up & doesn't get real hot. Second, it's got a nice quiet background. Third - if you are used to tubes you may find the Classe has a slightly softer, warmer, presentation than certain other solid state amps. I have the amp paired with a Modulus 3A pre-amp, and the speakers are B&W CDM7 SE's. In the future I may try this amp with some subwoofers I plan to build.

Based upon the price I paid of $1,400 (very clean demo) I would have to rate the CA-150 5 Stars.

Spent the weekend with this amp, BAT VK-30 tube preamp, Rotel RCD-975 and Sonus Faber Grand Piano speakers. Purchased the amp and preamp, alreadu own the speakers and CDP. A wonderful, musical and highly enjoyable system. Upgrading the CDP is my next project.
The amp is exceptional for a SS unit. Warm for a SS design. Provides the high current needed to drive the SF GPs, but doesn't seem to add any SS brightness to the smooth exceptionally musical sound of the BAT preamp.

I give it 5 stars for value and performance. Excellent build quality. Runs cool.

Got this amp over the weekend. This amp really sounds great. Overall, their is more detail and depth in all musical passages + very dynamic sound! Choose this amp over the CA200 because improvements between the two are minimal. Couldn't justify spending 800 more for 50 more watts!5 stars for this amp

Soundstage. Build quality

None other than silly Krell users who like to pay too much for average equipment.

This is a great sounding amp. particularly when combined with a tube pre-amp. Given Cdn. and US exchange rate this is an even better deal for US buyers. The CA-151 is the same amp with an updated faceplate.

Similar Products Used:

Krell, Aragon, Bryston, ARC

Very precise with Quick Bass

Higly analytical and unemotional

I bought this unit on the recommendation of my dealer to be used with my Vandersteen 3A's. Other Equipment was Classe 1.5 CD player, Audioquest Coral interconnect and Audioquest forest/Indigo bi-wire speaker cables.

I was incredibly disappointed in the musicality of this unit. It does everything right, but has no passion. I always felt like I was listening to processed sound and it almost felt forced. I've got a Creek 4330 that sounds much more musical than this and of course the Audio Research Equipment is delightful but very expensive.

I guess it's O.K. if your into analytical equipment but I prefer warmth and ease of presentation.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research, Creek 4330, Audio Elec. Supply Superamp