Classe integrated or Musical Fidelity?


I'll be auditioning (at home) a Classe CAP-101 next week. Is anyone familiar with this piece? I wondered if it would be worth buying one of MF A300's to try at home...they're approximately the same price - in the $1500 range. Are one of these generally recommended over the other? I have a Sony DVP-7700 front end and Vandersteen Model 2 speakers. $1500 is a decent chunk of change for me so I'd like to get it right the first time. Feel free to suggest others in this price range, too. Thanks in advance for your help!
chuke076
Cosider the Primare 30.1 from Sweeden. It seems to be a big hit in Great Britain, could be a real sleeper. Someones got new units listed cheap. Or buy the Sim preamp listed for $800 and look for an $800 power amp. Just some options I thought were of interest.
Musical Fidelity A3.I have one driving 4 ohm/87 db efficiency speakers it is clean,quiet and loud.
I have the Classe CAP-150.....never auditioned the Musical Fidelity, though I've heard great things about it. I could tell you that the Classe is superb throughout the musical spectrum and has tight, controlled bass. I am driving Thiel 2.2s and it sounds incredible. Thiels are slightly on the bright side and the Classe does a great job at moderating this. All this being said, I'd try both of them (and others) in YOUR system. That's the only way you'll know for sure.
I have owned both and I prefered the Musical Fidelity A3 over the Classe 100 and 150 by a wide margin! It really depends on your taste in speakers too. I think that dual monaural power supplies are an important consideration in the cleanest sound, which means the MF components are a better design. Ironically I own neither now...I have picked up a pair of Antique sound labs KT88 monoblocks and have heard their integrateds. Clearly more musical to me that either of the solid state integrateds mentioned and a lot cheaper..oh well, this is off topic.
i own the Cap 151 and Love it! couldn't find MF LOCALLY to audition but am still interested. Also checked out Arcam Fmj 22 and Classe just sounded so much smoother. Please let us know which way you went and why