Ultimate Amplifier for the next 20 Years

http://www.classeaudio.com/reviews/index.htm

Audiokinesis- Thanks for the info. I understand that the Classe runs class-A according to load. Meaning if not pushed it dosen't get to warm. Besides, a little heat doesn't bother me! Plus as Ghostrider45 states:
'Studio Grand ribbons are a pretty benign load. They come in around 6 mostly resistive ohms with little variation across the audible spectrum. They are very different from the early Apogee models such as the Full Range or Scintilla with 1 ohm impedances'.

Also in my old age now I don't crank it up as much as I use too!! Well, not yet atleast... : ) But when I want blast I want it to have balls!! Meaning: No tubes and no SS less than 200 watts per channel.

Warnerwh-thanks for the reply. I have actually have owned in the past both the RM40's & Innersound amp. The only reason I sold the speakers is the Apogee's! Regarding the amp I bought it when I had a pair of Siverline speakers. It sounded to dry and not enough body with them, so I sold it. Coda does make great amp though plus they are located about 5 miles from me! I have read that there class-A amps run hot. The new Classe Delta amp seem to be the ultimate:

http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/classe_ca2200.htm
http://www.classeaudio.com/reviews/reviews-pdfs/DeltaSeries-TheAbsoluteSound-July05.pdf
http://www.stereotimes.com/amp051205.shtm

Brianmgrarcom- Please tell me more about your system and what your feelings are on the Classe CA2200?!

I have a space that is: 12"Hx25W". I think the CA2200 will fit and run perfect in there at the bottom of my A/V Billy Bags rack(22"Hx72"W). My only issue is I have the Lexicon Pre/pro right above on a shelf that runs warm also. 8-9 months out of the year here in Sacto no problem. Its the other 3-4 months that are killer!

Sdrconsultant- I would love to try a Goldmund but way to expensive. There low priced stuff is digital-no thank you. As for the Plinius, too big and hot! If I lived in Alaska, no problem.

Plato- The newest version (9.02) I have heard is very good. But it seems they are still evolving. I'll bet at the CES they come out with a stereo version!

Warnerwh- The JC1's are to large and to hot. I would have to use them on the side lower shelf's which only have 8"H. No way.

Elberoth2- Thank you very much!!!

Mdhoover- Same problem as the JC1's.

ONE of the many feature that I really about the CA-2200 is it has switchable inputs(XLR or RCA) on the front panel. So I can go digital(DVD) and analog(SACD,DVDAUDIO) out of my modified Denon 2910. Switchable on the fly! : )

THANK YOU EVERYONE AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW....

I do have one question though about the Classe Delta series. Why is there not a more powerful 2 channel amp the the CA-2200?! There was the CA-301 & CA-401 before. Besides the CA-M400 monos. Is it because it more HT oriented or the new Delta amp are more better? Why not a CA-2300!? : )

Well I still haven't bought the Classe! The dealer told me that I could get a demo for $4000. Still debating!

Fplanner2000- I'm still looking at a DNA500 used for $3500. Being 500watts vs 200watts, I'm sure it’s MUCH more dynamic than the Classe! That is good to know also that it doesn’t run very hot, which I thought it did! But, something bothers me with McCormack vs Classe. McCormack seems to offer upgrades at a expensive cost($$$$) even on there best amp! Classe as I believe, considers hundreds if not thousands of different parts/brands, and uses only the best or makes there own(ex:caps)! I also believe being a newer design has higher technology. But I'm sure they sound much different from each other and sound not tech is what matters most!! I'll bet the McCormack sounds KILLER on my Apogee's!!! Man I want to try one! : )

I've owned two pairs of Legacy Focus speakers before. Bill is a great guy!

213cobra- When I said $5000(new or used), I'm talking Audiogon price! : ) Not retail. I haven't paid retail in more than a decade! I'm sure if you wait long enough you will find Audiopax 88 monoblocks for $5000(1/3 retail)! I've seen the Krell FBC300Cx for $3000(1/3 retail). I wish I could find the Classe for $2500(1/2 retail)! I've seen the DNA for $3500(1/2 retail).
So you can find the ultimate amp of your dreams on Audiogon! In fact, if it wasn't for Audiogon, I couldn't have never found or afforded my system!! And that is the truth!!! I LOVE YOU AUDIOGON! ; )

Audiofankj- I've tried all the above digital amps(Nu Force excluded), and they didn't cut it. My BelCanto Evo6 II is my surround amp. Even in bridged mode, not going to cut it!
Like I said(no names), I tried them all. Still thinking about the Nu Force though....

Thanks Boa2! It's driving me crazy!!

Mdconnelly- I read the review on the Butler amp. I have never tried tubes and the fact that the tube in the amp never needs replacing or even gets hot, is a surprise! Looks like an excellent sounding amp! I really have no info on Butler amps though(reliability, customer service, etc..).

Curriemt11- Being Bob's personal pair(lucky guy!), I'm sure they were modded plenty and are bad ass amps!! Since I liked the A21, I'm still kinda considering the JC1. But I know in the summer being that my HT room faces the west, after a couple of hours of play, and with 3" of clearance, think hot!!!

Brianmgrarcom- Interesting. I guess because the MF Kw500 is integrated tube based and more watts? What did you like better about the MF than the Classe? Was the Classe broke in and what service did it need that you are speaking of!?

Matrix- I'm sure they sound great, but when I saw the insides of a amp, and all the wires used running all over the place, not prof/high tech enough for me. But then again they are only $2000!!! I would like to hear one on my Apogee's though... : )

Thanks guys for all the replys and information!!!
Now what will tomorrow bring.... : )

Mattkimb96- The Ayre V-1XE looks like a great amp. But I think the McCormackDNA500/Krell300Cx would be better for that amount of cash($9000).

Loudandclear- Interesting design. Does's anybody out there have any of there amps?! The Z500s amp has a BIG 2,000 VA, but it doesn't double in to 4ohms(250W-8, 400W-4). Not good.

Still working on a deal for the Classe CAM200's($2200). Different seller than the prior ad. This seller includes a 4 year warranty. If I can get my hands on a used CA2200 for $2500, I go for that instead.

Maybe Santa will surprise me..... ; )

Thanks for the replies/info! Still no killer amp!!

I came very close and might still purchase (for the next 5 years atleast!) a pair of Classe CAM-200 monoblocks! Here is the ad and a review:
http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1139007300
http://www.avguide.com/servlet/com.absolutemultimedia.servlets.DownloadReviewPDF/REVIEW_620.pdf?download=yes

Half the price of the Delta CA2200, same power, class-A up to 40watts(vs60delta), and they fit perfect together in the middle bottom shelf(11.5Wx2=22"-space is 24"W). The CAM350's are too big. The ONLY negative things I have read about them is that the extreme topend is absent. Any experience with them anyone....?! Then again, not the ultimate amps and I don't know if I'll be satisfied with them. For 2g's though looks like a killer deal! Man it's tuff being an audiophile! So many amps to choose from!!! Out of all the amps spoken of, I still feel the DNA500 is the kick ass amp to get...plus it runs cool!. You are right Curriemt11 about the upgradability options on the DNA500, that amp could be the ultimate (never out of date due to upgrades) 20 year amp!!!!