Classe' amps

I have owned a Classe Four preamp for several years and have been very happy with it. I have used tube amps for many years, but recently I downsized my main speakers to smaller mini-monitors and the 2 tube amps I tried could not get adequate bass out of them. I just traded one of the tube amps for a Classe DR-8 and although I have only had it for 2 days, I am very happy with what I am hearing. The Classe really makes my little speakers sing. Dynamics, bass response, soundstaging, transparency are all improved. No, the Classe does not have quite the midrange "magic" of tubes, but it is not fatiguing and it counters with a lot more musical information. It is also very well made and runs cool. I almost bought a used 70 or a CA100, but the DR-8, although older, seems like the most overbuilt 70 watt amp I have ever seen. I think it has 10 output transistors per side and more heatsinking than a 150 watt amp. Has anyone sonically compared the DR-8 to the 70 or CA100?

I'm not familiar with the DR-8 or the 70 but I have owned the DR-10, CA-100, and CA-200. I found that the CA-100 had a little better detail on the lower bass vs the DR-10. The CA-200 was even better all around with more punch and transparency.

Abecollins, I just came back from a Business trip(stranded in Houston)and here is my reply: The fact that I have still kept CP-45 after aquiring SSP-50, simply CP-45 is much better in musical and lifelike presentation package. SSP-50 in comparision (two channel stereo balance mode for both)has a lot less blacker background, partly due to a some what extended higher freq response, and diminished guitar and piano reproductions ( although a lot smoother than CP-45) but with a little better soundsatge depth. Overall result simply is NOT musical and lifelike for MY system. For watching movies and TV in stereo surround and or DTS/Dolby digital, the SSP-50 does perform exceptionally.

Gentleman, Thannk you for all your responses,they were very helpful. Has anyone used the CAP-151 as a pre,or as an amp?And if so what was the result. Thanks again!

The Classe DR-8 I bought developed an intermittant short in one of the channels after a few days use. I think it may be dust in the stereo/mono switch. I brought it back to the dealer and decided to try an Audio Refinement Complete integrated amp. While the Audio Refinement does not have the dynamics or pace of the Classe, it has a much richer midrange and fuller bass. Even a die hard tube fan like me is happy. I plan on keeping the Audio Refinement and eventually selling my preamp (after Audio Refinment burns in and is ok).