classe twenty five and classe fifteen

I was a Classe dealer for many years and concure that the 25 is an excellent amp. The 15 was also very good, but the 25 was better.

There were actually a few small changes from the "DR" series to the "numbered" series:

The improvements to the Ten, Fifteen and Twenty Five vs the DR-10, DR-15 and the DR-25 are as follows:

* Current delivery to the front end was improved with better impedance matching between supply and signal bearing circuitry.

* Amount of input stage regulation was reduced.

* Output stage emitter resistor values were changed.

These changes resulted in the new amps sounding more alive and having more "jump factor". The DR series were a little darker and warmer sounding.

I still think the best sounding Classe amps were the DR3VHC and the DR8 and DR9.

Dlcockrum,

If you look at the product literature, (I still have some), it lists the amps output(s) as A/B. I swear though, that Glen Grue once told me that the amps do run Class A up to a point, but I really can't confirm or deny that. I always thought that they did. I had a pair of DR8's running mono and LOVED them on my Apogee Stages and I had a DR3VHC on a pair of Acoustat Model Sixes that ROCKED!

Sorry, I needed to clarify that the DR3, DR3B and DR3VHC were indeed Class A amps. The DR8 and DR9 were listed as Class A/B amps, but "might" have ran Class A up to a certain level.

#1: that the DR-9 was 1 of your faves. Is it a sweeter amp than the Classe’ - 25?

Yes.  Sweeter, warmer and smoother.

#2: you said you ran your a pair of DR-8’s in mono. I ran a pair of DR-9’s in mono & the amps sounds way better in Stereo than it does in mono, there’s no comparison! That’s why I’m looking at a Classe’ - 25, I need the power. Did you do anything with your DR-8’s other than flip the switches at the back?

Your’s are the first comments that I remember liking the stereo version over the mono better? I had quite a few customers come back and buy a second amp for mono. I guess it would depend on the speakers they were driving, but for most of the demanding speakers of the time, the monos were the way to go.

#3: Between the Classe’ - 15 & the Classe’ - 25, which did you prefer & why?

The 25 was better. Better bass control and extension. Better grip on the high frequencies, effortless power when needed.

If anyone knows the answers, wd be much appreciated.
What's the wattage consumption on the 25?
And do they produce alot of heat?

According to the literature in my dealer binder, the 25 has a power consumption of 325 watts at idle.

They really don't run that hot.  Depends on the volume setting and what speaker it is driving, but normally, not that hot...which I know is relative, but that's the best answer without knowing all the parameters.

The model numbers of the Classe amplifiers had nothing to do with the power rating.  They were close, but not exact.  Even the "Seventy" amp was rated at 75 watts.

Sorry, I meant to older, classic, vintage, original Classe amps.