Classe Warmth

[jim1961]

Perhaps this varies from amp to amp, but Classe amps in general are depicted as being a bit warm in their presentation. For those of you actually owning (or previously owned) these amps (especially any CA-100 owners), what frequency range would you attribute this warmth to?

[PewterTA]

I've never heard of Classe being a warm amp. To me McIntosh is a warm amp...by far. Classe is really more along the line of neutral if not somewhat a little bit clinical/accurate sounding and not quite as musical as some people like.

I'd really have a tough time classifying Classe as a warm sounding equipment.

[jim1961]

I've never heard of Classe being a warm amp. To me McIntosh is a warm amp...by far. Classe is really more along the line of neutral if not somewhat a little bit clinical/accurate sounding and not quite as musical as some people like.

I'd really have a tough time classifying Classe as a warm sounding equipment.

I used to own a Krell KSA-200. When I sold it and got the CA-100, the warmth I speak of was obvious.

[mjb]

I used to own a Krell KSA-200. When I sold it and got the CA-100, the warmth I speak of was obvious.

I'm not sure you heard "warmth", I think you just heard a damned good amp! Warmth per se is not necessarily a good thing, its a colouration (aka distortion) of the sound either by adding a phase-shift or harmonics. Tube amps are notoriously warm because they're very harmonic by nature. As Dan says, Classé amps are rarely (if ever) described as warm, but they are very accurate, and extremely loyal to the source. This is my taste in amp sound, other listeners perhaps have other preferences.

[jim1961]

I'm not sure you heard "warmth", I think you just heard a damned good amp! Warmth per se is not necessarily a good thing, its a colouration (aka distortion) of the sound either by adding a phase-shift or harmonics. Tube amps are notoriously warm because they're very harmonic by nature. As Dan says, Classé amps are rarely (if ever) described as warm, but they are very accurate, and extremely loyal to the source. This is my taste in amp sound, other listeners perhaps have other preferences.

It could be that the Krell amp was bright by comparison.

[Sharp 1080]

It could be that the Krell amp was bright by comparison.

Some Krell amps are considered "bright".

[wkhanna]

I have only heard Classe amps at dealers, but based on that I would categorize them more as being neutral in comparison to all the other amps I have ever heard.

[RebelMan]

In my experience Classé amps have become increasing less natural sounding favoring greater neutrality. What you hear from their amps today is better clarity and transparency. Legacy Classé amps will lean toward the warm side of neutral though.