Classé CAM 350 or CA-401???

[mluding]

Hi audio enthusiasts!

I plan to upgrade my HT-system in stereo with one of the above stated stereo power amps.

In my system I'm running 5 (soon 7) full-range speakers (german manufacturer ISOPHON) headed by the ISOPHON Europa II as fronts. Being a pretty hungry load, I'm currently biamping these speakers with a Classé CAV-180 (5th channel for center). For the rears I'm using a small stereo CA-101 (I havent yet connected my back-rears).

My idea was to sell the CA-101, keep the CAV-180 for the surrounds and get a stereo amp for the fronts.

What would You suggest??? Which one is the better buy or... the better match to the CAV-180 in terms of sound???

As I will keep my cables (cinch and speaker-cables) I won't position the amps near to the speakers (my AV-pre does not even habe XLR-outputs). So the only question is the sound (I don't think that the power difference does reallymatter!!

Thanks!
Martin

[Patt]

Hi Martin,

Really nice equipment you have there .......my way of thinking is the more power the better!

[mluding]

Hi Patt,

thank you!

my way of thinking is the more power the better!

You are definitely right! But I'm not yet quite sure which one is the better choice: CA-401 or CAM-350

The CA-401 has more power (one massive 3000 Watt power-supply vs. 2x1200 Watts of the CAM-350), the other has a complete separate design which is always better in terms of sound quality :roll: :roll: :roll:

So I'm still a bit confused.....

And: I already read that not all Classé-Amps sound the same even if they have the same circuits! So: wich one is the better match with the CAV-180???

Any other comments???

Martin

P.S. Unfortunately it won't be possible to hear the amps at home a the dealers are too far away (1000 miles...)!!

[David Meek]

I've not heard the two amps in question, but with all other things equal I don't believe that one massive power supply offsets the overall benefits of monoblocks. As you can't demo them, I'd go with the CA-M350. 700 WPC @ 4 Ohms isn't underpowered by any means.

[Patt]

Seperate monoblocks versus a stereo amp I would choose the monoblocks everytime.
Sort of like a seperate power supply for each speaker.

[JürgenW]

Seperate monoblocks versus a stereo amp I would choose the monoblocks everytime.
Sort of like a seperate power supply for each speaker.

Hi, Martin,
You're here, too.

I agree with Patt and I would give some other monoblocks a try. (Martin, you know which ones I mean.)

In any case the best would be to wait with buying amps, after you have heard them. Can't you wait so long? (Which I always find difficult myself.)

Jürgen

[mluding]

Hi Jürgen,

yes I'm here too

I agree with Patt and I would give some other monoblocks a try.

Yes I know.... they are great too, and the Audionet AMP II G2 would perfectly match to my pre-amp. It's a hard decision, but switching away from Classe would mean changing also my 5 channel amp, and 7 channels all Audionet would cost quite a bit... And I also have to say that I like the Classe-Sound (maybe a bit warmer that Audionet) and IMHO it is a perfect match with my PRE.

But you're right: I just can't wait... I still found two demo Classe amps of the old series from two dealers. If I wait too long it could be too late: .... I've never seen a CAM-350 on ebay!

Bye
Martin

[Patt]

I thought all the amps we were talking about were Classe. I've seen the 350's on Audiogon before.

[mluding]

I thought all the amps we were talking about were Classe

You're right! Classé would be my first choice, but as my AV-pre is from Audionet it would be a good match too! And the Audionet have a classy look!

I've seen the 350's on Audiogon before.

"Unfortunately" I'm living in Italy, so I don't have the possibility to buy one from the US (we have 230 Volts)... :roll: I got to buy the much more expensive european modells (list-price here: 11.000 Euro!!!) :M Used about 50% of it...

Bye
Martin

[David Meek]

I'm living in Italy, so I don't have the possibility to buy one from the US (we have 230 Volts)... :roll: I got to buy the much more expensive european modells (list-price here: 11.000 Euro!!!) :M Used about 50% of it. . .

Martin, is Italy home or are you living in Europe temporarily? One thought is to buy a good transformer to convert to 120V and purchase a US version. Maybe?

[georgev]

How significantly(if at all) does using a transformer, affect the sound?
That thought has also crossed my mind, living in South Africa, where we also use 220V.

[mluding]

David,

I'm living in Europe! I already thought about buying a voltage converter (I know that they cost only about 100$), but I'm afraid of worsening the soundquality by doing so :roll: !

Martin

[NonSense]

Martin

I would have the same concerns as you. IMO, $100 won't give you much of a step down transformer. I have used some step up types in the past while working with PAL television standard broadcast equipment over here in North America. I can tell you we spent about $100 just shipping the unit to our facility once we found one with a suitable VA rating. Just think of the two massive toriods in the CAM350's that you would need to be supplying. The 50Hz cycles to 60Hz cycles may also be a concern. Power supply rectification, regulation and capacitor selection may be optimized for a particular system. These are some of the items that generally distinguish a good amplifier from a great one. I would contact the manufacturer to gain their opinion on the matter.

If you are interested in that level of gear, you are going to want it to perform to perfection.

[mluding]

NonSense, I totally agree with you as my recently upgraded my pre amp with a separate power supply and I experienced a noticeable better soundstage! So I know how critical the issue is...:roll:

Yesterday I made an offer for the monos :wink:

Martin