Fantastic sounding amp, it beat the absolute hell out of a Rotel RB1090 and also an NAD M3 integrated amp ( I auditioned all of them inside my home for several months)The Classe sounded terrific, and that was before I upgraded my sound card.


I wish I still owned this amp.

Warm sound, decent soundstage.

Lack of precision, lose bass, major reliability issue.

This amp is decent sounding, with tube-like warmth. However, at the price tag of $1600 used, you will get better deal around. Try getting an used mark Levinson 29 ($999), 27 ($1500) or 23 ($1900), you get way better bang for your money. In my setup with CP-60 and this CA200, the sound is surprisingly dry when couple with NBS cables and Newform Research R645 ribbon speakers. Definitely not as fast as Mark Levinson, and the lose bass when playing orchestral music is rather unbearable to my ears. The CA200 does an admirable job with vocals, but then again, you will get a better value elsewhere. Finally, the amp's reliability is very questionable. I don't have problem with it. But I have problem when I sell it. Basically, this amp (200W into 8ohm) can't stand low impedance load. The new buyer, who got himself an Martin Logan CL2, simply *toasted* this amp EVEN WHEN CLASSE TECH SUPPORT SAYS CA200 HAS ALL KINDS OF PROTECTION CIRCUITY. Of course, even Classe tech support is superb professional and courteous in fixing the amp AT MY EXPENSE (not very expensive, but it's $$$$$ anyway), they refused to put thus shortcoming in writing. So I ended up having the buyer accused me of selling lemon, demanded (and got) full refund from me (because I can't prove in writing that it's his speaker's problem), and I puked out $500 + shipping to fix it and then have to sell it like dirt due to its service record. Try an ML #23 (dual mono, 200W into 8ohm and keep doubling with lower impedenace in Class A), just $250-300 more, you get WAY BETTER performance!

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson #23, Sonic Frontiers Power 2 and 3, NAD S300 (yech!), Antique Soundlab AQ 1006-845.

Excellent performance for the B&W Matrix 801S3 woofer. Well controled, deep bass and wonderful sound stage.

none

The Classe'' i bought could be the most cheap CA-200 in the world...well it happens that the audio store keeper does have no idea how good CA-200 is. Current stuff: WADIA 8 + VIMAK DS1800 Gryphon Bel Canto Classe'' CA200, runs the woofer Krell KSA50S, runs the mid + tweeter B&W Matrix 801S3 great for Classic & Chamber music What I can say is that CA200 runs very very well. Have compared with other amp like Classe'' 70, Gryphon S100, Hafler XL280(monox mono) and Krell KSA100S, and found the CA200 runs the most balanced and vivid the woofer of 801S3 with excellent control.The bass is tight and with the sense of high speed. By the way, KSA50S runs wonderfully the mid+tweeter, and is the best match with CA200 when bi-amp for the M801S3. may try the combination if you happen to own the 801s3, but do not content it performance.

Similar Products Used:

Krell KSA100S

Extreme clarity, tight, defined bass, fluid and refined. Excellent presence and transparency. Build quality second to none. Very well engineered. Excellent value.

Does not distinguish itself in listener involvement. Dynamically quiet. These are strictly subjective comments.

This amplifier is a very worthy performer. It has the ability to do almost everything well: drive capability, healthy maximum power sounding far greater than rated power specifications, a smooth and sweetly balanced neutrality, fine stereo separation, strong bass, tube like, airy treble. Clarity and transparency is exceptional, as well as stereo imaging. Build quality is, as expected, top notch. The heat fins are machined smooth. No cut hands here. The blandness or quiet complaints that I have heard (and, perhaps actually heard) are entirely subjective. The soundstages were extremely focused, which even excelled at low level listening.
Highly recommended over the Jeff Rowland, if for no other reason, price! The model 112 is truly awesome and qualifies as audio art. However, I found it more steeley and not nearly as warm as the Classe (subjective listening, again). Solo piano and acoustic guitar passages higlighted this for me. The Rowland is wonderful, but at $4,900.00, compared to the $3,000.00 Classe, it is not as wonderful.
Associated equipment used is as follows: Five stars for performance and value.

Classe CP-60 preamplifier
Ruark excalibur monitors
SOTA Star Sapphire III
SME V tone arm
Benz Ruby
Wadia 21 digital
M-2.4 bi-wired cables
Audiotruth lapis interconnects

Similar Products Used:

Jeff Rowland model 10, 112. Krell KSA-200 (discontinued)

sound.

humm.

Concerning Classe products. They are very good.who wants to hear real music dynamic detailed warm sound must buy ca 200. also with his very good built quality ca 200 is one of the best. i ve got mine 3500!! but i am still very happy with it.

Similar Products Used:

ca100 ca400, krell kav 250a,bat etc

musicality,warm soft sound,self quiteness,built quality...

almost none.

very good..warm end detailed sound.deep and soft bass..clear highs.clarity is exceptional.sound is tube like..i compared it with many other monsters..but when i consider the price/performance classe is the best.for 3000 $ (ive got mine 1800$)it is unbeatble.much more musical than krell.this is a real high end unit.who wants to high end sound to a very resonable price buy classe.tou cant go wrong with ca-200..state of art...

Similar Products Used:

krell kav 300i,kav250a,arc 100.2,arc vt100,conrad-johnson,plinius etc

The CA-200 offers pretty good detail, strong bass, and a warmer than neutral sound for $3000. If your system is already bright or you prefer a warmer sound, this would be a much better match than a Krell. The "warmth", however, on an already warm system can make it rather dull and uninvolving. As always, it is critical to match up the components, and combine that with your own preferences. This amp offers a good, solid value.

Slight bass looseness, not the most transparent

I bought this amp used a couple months ago and must say I'm very happy with it. The real magic of the Classe is the full, rich way it layers the midrange. Vocals are outstanding, brass and strings sound vibrant and real. The highs are very relaxed and smooth. I've heard amps with more detail, but they also tend to sound a little harsher. The bass is full and deep, not as tight and powerful as the Coda, but then the Coda is the best I've heard in the bass region. The Classe is no slouch in the bass, just very slightly rounded and warmer sounding. Overall I prefered the Classe to all amps mentioned above. The way it handles the midrange is really something special. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Aragon 8008ST, Parasound HCA2200 mk II, Coda Model 20,Proceed AMP 2

Sound vs. price factor, Solid build,

ground line hum, warranty from manufactured date not purchase date

I tested several amps, including Bryston 4b St and some Krell products all of which sounded fine. I was very impressed with the speed and response that this amp put out. My B & W nautilus 804 never sounded better. This amp has brought life back to my cd collection.

Best bang for the buck, Solid build, Warranty(Lifetime) and the closest you can get to a Mark Levinson without going bankrupt.

NONE

I just stumbled upon this website and I agree 100% with what the other reviews are saying regarding this amp.
THIS AMP ROCKS.I feel this amp is on the line that divides solid state and tubes. It sounds warm enough to sound like a tube amp but has the bass slam of a solid state. Also much more reliable and you don't have to deal with maintenance(replacing tubes, although I do have an ARC LS7). The warranty is superb and gives you peace of mind with your investment. Customer service is great. The left channel got fried a couple of years ago I sent it back to Classe(thru my dealer) and got it back within a month. It seems some DC voltage managed to slip by the protection circuits and shorted out the whole main board.
Other than that episode this amp is flawless and if I ever think of upgrading my amp(very slim chance-got 3 kids)I will only look in the direction of Classe (maybe that Omega amp).

My current set-up:

Classe CA 200 amp
Wadia 850 CD player
Audio Research Pre-amp LS-7
Martin Logan Aerius / Magnepan 2.7 QR (i switch between the two from time to time)

I've spent a lot of time and MONEY(ask my wife) in putting this system together and I'm very happy with the result.

Similar Products Used:

Had a CA 100 before I traded up to this killer amp.