Classe' model 20 pre anyone?

I own one but don't use it. That should tell you what I think.

The model 20 was Classé's entry level preamp somewhere around 1991-92. Its probably alright if you are upgrading from an inexpensive receiver, but you can do much better with one of the better Classé models like a 5/5L, 6/6L, CP-45, CP-50, CP-47.5, or some other manufacturer's preamp.

Thanks for the replies.. Yup your right just upgraded. The sound is better compared from my old one. I'm currently using it with adcom 555II driving a magnepan 1.6. Im planning to keep the model 20 and sell the adcom and buy the classe model 15's. What do you guys think? Thanks

I used a Classe'DR5 preamp with a Classe'25(the 15's bigger brother) with my Maggie 1.6's for 4 years and I thought it was a killer combo. I never heard the 15 but it should do fine driving 1.6's.

I have been researching on this model's as well, very little info regarding them. I will go to an audiohpile house to test the one on his studio.

Thanks for the replies.. Yup your right just upgraded. The sound is better compared from my old one. I'm currently using it with adcom 555II driving a magnepan 1.6. Im planning to keep the model 20 and sell the adcom and buy the classe model 15's. What do you guys think? Thanks

pls tell me what do you think about the sound of the model 20 for you. Sounds fine to me or just because I upgraded from my old crappy one. :)

How does the classe 25 sounds like on the maggies? Tnks

Classe'25 with Maggie 1.6 is a great combo. The 25 can produce up to 500 wpc into the 1.6's 4ohm load. So the result is very dynamic with great bass drive. You don't really need a subwoofer with this combination. Some folks find the 1.6 to need the resistor to tone down the tweeter. Not so with the Classe' 25. I never felt that the 1.6's high frequencies too aggressive driven by the 25. The 25 is very musical as well as muscular. it throws a great soundfield and the harmonic structure of musical instruments is well preserved with the Maggies. It did not do as well when I upgraded to the 3.6 but I thought it was terrific with the 1.6. Its frequency response was very complementary to the 1.6. Overall coherence with the 1.6 was excellent. However, with the 3.6 it aggravated the different speaker elements and produced a discontinuous effect. If fact, with the 25 driving the 3.6 I did need to pad the tweeter with a 1 ohm resistor. In conclusion, in my system in my room, the 25 was wonderful with the 1.6 but not so good with the 3.6.

Thats what's Im trying to achieve. At first I like the sound of the 555II and the adcom surround processor. Then I changed to classe 20 the sound became better but I feel somthing is still missing compared to what I've heard from a friend the sound is so detailed and clean, coherance is exellent! I'm trying to get that kind of sound but of course with a budget in mind. :) he's using a pathos logos with the 1.6. And one more thing what made me feel bad about is Ive heard a 1.6 driven by a old int harman and an old marantz 5 disc cdp and the cable he's using is just an ordinary lamp cord and the sound I heard is detailed, clean and the resolution is WOW. I can almost compare it with the logos...

I would take some of your kit to your friend's...see if substituting your stuff still yields the sound you like...if so, then it may be your room or something else.

what do you think about classe ten? would it be worth buying? in exchange for adcom 555II? thanks for the help guys..

I had a model 15 for about 10 years and enjoyed it very much,the model 10 is the same but 125 watts,if that is all you need it is a great amp.

I have the modal twenty preamp. I use it with a Custom build SS amp with a bryston dac. To me it sounds pretty transparent and fairly smooth. I do feel maybe a tad bright at times? Iv had it forever with the original remote. I wanted to upgrade to a Forte Preamp like the model f44 but Im not sure if that would a step or just a lateral move. Any suggestions would be of great help!

MR