HI Macd. I have a similar room to yours and believe or not have run both Classe separates and Simaudio I5. I am not running Model 1s. I am running Hawks.
The Classe is warmer sounding and with more power has more punch to it. I sold the amp after having some perplexing problems with it that never seemed to be resolved even though the amp made several trips to Canada.
I bought an I5 to replace it. The sound is much more transparent. Imaging and depth improved some. The bass is somewhat more limited but still very fast and tight. The overall sound of the Sim is faster.
After owning the Sim for 2 years, I do like its sound. However, sometimes I do miss the oomph of the sound with the Classe.
The Classe is warmer sounding and with more power has more punch to it. I sold the amp after having some perplexing problems with it that never seemed to be resolved even though the amp made several trips to Canada.
I bought an I5 to replace it. The sound is much more transparent. Imaging and depth improved some. The bass is somewhat more limited but still very fast and tight. The overall sound of the Sim is faster.
After owning the Sim for 2 years, I do like its sound. However, sometimes I do miss the oomph of the sound with the Classe.