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ATI SIGNATURE SERIES 6005 OR CLASSE CT 5300??

Good afternoon all,
i am currently in the market for a 5 channel power amplifier. i just recently sold my classe audio ca 5200 and i truthfully LOVED IT. It has been THE BEST multichannel power amplifier i have owned PERIOD. I loved the smoothness and soundstage. i felt it had a taste of 'tube like sound' if you will. That being said, my plan was simply to move up to the ct 5300 which has more power and some say it has better bass control than the ca5200 which was one of the things it was criticized for. however, i started to read reviews on the new ATI SIGNATURE 6005 and its amazing noise floor etc and of course every magazine is raving about it. Having owned outlaw audio amplifiers before which are built by ATI as well, i am wondering if the signature series is just a little better than the regular at series ? they seem to be a little on the forward side, but i have spoken to several dealers who claim the signature series is neutral, not forward and that it is a spectacular upgrade over their regular series. However, i don't really see anyone else who has given it their own review and comparing against their former amplifier. yes, there is a reviewer who said it was just as good if not better than his parasound a51.
My current set up is martin logan montis, motif x, and i will eventually get the martin logan EFX surrounds. AS far as a processor, i am only using the ps audio dac as a preamplifier because i am waiting on the marantz 8802 to release in february. i would say i am about 60% music, 40% movies.
Given my situation, what would you guys get? i would love to know anyone's input.
128x128whitecamaross
clpetersen
7 posts
 
Classe makes a very good amplifier, no doubt. But i do think you may be looking at specs soemwhat misleadingly (and manufacturers often help this along). Not saying Classe does this, I doubt it. But:

1. Doubling down. Yes this is indicative of a good power supply backing up the amplifier section. However, amp manufactures are known to downplay their 8 ohm power to get doubling down on their specs. For example, one rrecently tested (wish I could remember the post) amp rated 8 ohms at 200 but actually delivered over 300. However the specs said: 200/400 for 8/4 ohms to look better. The 400 was accurate and the 200 was also accurate but deliberately understated.

2. 600 vs 450 - not terribly important. Only about 1.2 db louder- barely noticeable. Look more at slew rate - how fast can the amp respond to a rapid change in signal and create the dynamic punch? if the amp can get to 600W, but takes a 1/2 second to get there, so what? (exaggerating)

You would not be unhappy with Classe at all. But I don't think the reasons you cited are the right ones. Buy what you like and have fun!
runnin
397 posts
 
Have you looked into Bryston or Cary Audio?
timlub
1,649 posts
 
Both are fine amplifiers, I have not compared them. My questions is... With such a love affair with the Classe, why go elsewhere? Unless you can borrow something or get one on loan, why kick yourself later? You have pre sold yourself on the Classe.
scvan
99 posts
 
I agree with what Clpetersen.

ATI makes some of the best SS amps out there. The slew rate is fast/ sq wave input is nearly perfect. It is an incredibly fast amp. I don't think ATI makes most of their money from selling ATI amps, but instead is a supplier of amps for many big name companies. They are well known in the industry as a go to place for amps.

450W on a 91dB rated speaker (montis rating) is a ton of power. I'm not sure of the size of your room, but I know I wouldn't want to be near it at anywhere near is at full volume. The bass module in those speakers only has a 200W amp and the bass requires more energy to produce to same SPL, so I wouldn't worry about the power rating of the ATI.
Also, if you even consider putting out 600W/ch into just a few of your speakers you will easily blow a 20A circuit. That is really a TON of power.

I've owned both classe and ATI amps. Both are great amps. Both are very neutral and you really couldn't go wrong with either of them. The ATI is made in the US, the Classe in China.

I don't think your concern of bass is accurate because your mains have a built in woofer which means the amp won't be getting much draw for anything below 340Hz.
whitecamaross's avatar
whitecamaross OP
1,499 posts
 
I understand I should have just stayed with classe if I had already liked the ca 5200 but I was in a position to grab a great deal on a ct5300 where I almost had to put nothing out of pocket to make a lateral move into the more expensive 5300. I even read somewhere that this ct5300 is much better than the 5200 series. However, I just kept hearing recommendations and all the reviews regarding the ati signature. I have never heard their former classic series and I don't really like forward sounding amplifiers Because ear fatigue easily. I did hear the signature series is neutral and that this design shares absolutely nothing in common with their older design. It's supposed to be much faster of an amp. I do like to have 2 channel stereo listening sessions at times and the classe really impressed me In that area. Ati always gave me the feeling of just being a home theater amplifier, but again this signature series is supposed to excel at both. There are few people out there with this new ati amplifier which also makes me wonder why ? Anyhow, I have decided to be one of the very first ones with hands on experience and purchased a 6005 signature series. It will arrive soon and I will be finally able to see for myself what this unit is all about....
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