SETs vs. Push/Pull

Raining on the parade;

Classe CA200, undefeated versus any tubes on proacs especially 2.5's which are the worst speakers to use tubes on. I know so many here will disagree. Little drivers require big amps not little amps.

The Classe advice I am giving you is 13-0, and I have to think for what your willing to spend on an amplifier; sidetracking to get a CA200, 300 in your system would not be a problem. Please note...a 201 is ok but its not the 200.

Not my opinion remember these 13 guys were tube guys with that "wasting my time dumbass salesman" smirk going out the door and that "can't believe what I was missing out on" smile coming back in. (they never did apologize for doubting me) 13 Home trials...13 "killed my tube amp" Whupped up a couple of Air tights too. They are pretty even in defeat.

Final tally... 7 CA200 or CA300 new amp sales with tube trade in.

The other 4 guys made the mistake of listening to Dynaudios and well they no longer had Proacs to worry about. 1 guy bought the CA200 used on Audiogon, a more recent challenge taker. So I know it still works. Couple of Cary amps got shelved, my favorite brand to send to the trash.

I'm not pulling your chain, this combo works and note how specific i'm being, not just any Classe will work, just the 200,300,400...01' are a drop off, but still decent.

If its convenient give it a try.

tom,
you should check out www.kraudio.com..i have a pair of their mono using 300 BXL..it is capable of driving any speaker and sound great... hope that help

Hello Tomryan,
I am almost in same boat with you, keeping my 89 dB 8,minimum 6 ohms speakers in my system I have dared to order my dealer
SET amp without listening to,I hope it willwork?
(http://www.unisonresearch.com/novita/default.asp?idNovita=864

Lots more to think about. One of the best sounding amps I've heard on my speakers was a 25wt S/S Accuphase. I may try to give the Classe a listen as I'm open to most things audio. However, about 3-4-5 years ago I did borrow a Classe from local dealer and found it rather uninvovling and found myself not looking forward to listenings sessions. This has never happened with any SET I've owned (actually any tube amp) as just the opposite occurs - I can't wait for music time. Unfortunately, I don't remember which Classe this was but was a lower wattage model, maybe 40-50 wts.

I'm willing to check those Classe models though and see if the local dealer has anything to try. I also have auditioned Dynaudio speakers another local dealer and found them quite musical. But I then came home and again found my 2.5s wonderfully musical, too, and very satisfying.

One thing that has always struck me about Classe, and I have heard a whole lot of their amps, was that they ALWAYS underwhelmed me.

First of all, even those that tend to be quite large sound a lot whole lot less than their power rating suggest.

Secondly, and more important, in every situation I have heard them in they were cold, clinical, analytical, with quite a bleached out sound.

Of course, if the Proacs sound overly lush, than I might think the match would be good.