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REVIEW: Classé Audio CA-101 Amplifier (SS)

172.137.137.220


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Model: CA-101
Category: Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price: $1495.00
Description: 100wpc power amp, bridgeable to 350w @ 8ohms
Manufacturer URL: Classé Audio
Manufacturer URL: Classé Audio

Review by NeuGeo ( A ) on August 15, 2004 at 00:54:22
IP Address: 172.137.137.220
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for the CA-101



The pre-owned Classe CA101 arrived without incident and in immaculate condition. Spearit Sound of Northampton MA. should be commended for their professionalism and exceptional service.

Having forgotten how heavily built this component is, I attempted to casually lift it out of the box. It required more effort than expected. This is indeed a substantial example of contemporary industrial engineering. After carefully situating the amp on top of the other CA101, I took a step back to see how it looked: the curved satin black columns and shadow silver front panels merged and converged creating the facade of one massive unit.

It took only a few minutes to toggle both amplifiers to the mono configuration and attach the speaker cables correspondingly. Although the system was still cold, I began the listening session immediately after powering up. The musical selection was Malta, Manhattan in Blue (JVC- XRCD). Percussive musical timbres mixed with gentle harmonics coursed through and emerged from the marvelous Epos M12 loudspeakers. The Classe monoblocks rendered the music with sincerity and lucidity. The dynamics of the piano keys being set upon by Cedar Walton on the first track, ”I’m a Fool To Want You” was striking and brisk. It sounded more like Thelonious Monk robust fingering. I’ve never contemplated this recording in this perspective.

Malta’s alto saxophone materialized from obscurity, effortlessly pervading the listening area with its presence and tremulous resonation. The contrast to my prior set-up was clearly identifiable.
The character of the music was more blatant and resolute, seemingly enhanced by means of profound psycho-acoustic management. There was more of, what was already present in the music,

Monoblocks are the definitive way to present stereo sound. If truth be told, mutichannel systems are best served by monoblocks as well. Operating in mono, the CA101 delivers 350 watts into 8 ohms. The dynamic headroom bestows a vivid depiction of the musical event. Formerly average recordings come across with added joie de vivre. The Best of Cameo, The Millennium Collection-Mercury Records, sounds powerful and lively when you crank it up. The milieu of Nirvana, ”Smells Like Teen Spirit” was super-sized into a live concert, right in my livingroom. Hopefully my neighbors will forgive the momentary indiscretion . Power corrupts.

The influence of the line stage, the Conrad Johnson Premier Fourteen, is most notable now. The CJ is a single-ended triode zero feedback design that stimulates the occurrence of immediacy and openness in reproduced music. Increasing the volume produces vividly increasing resolution, like a zoom lens drawing the listener into the musical picture. Spatial imagery and depth of field expanded as the system warmed up to full potential. Sweet!
This is what I’m talking about. It’s what I expect from high-end audio. This is how I want my reproduced music to sound.

Auditioning high-end products and scrutinizing component reviews, allows one to make competent choices when assembling a system. These choices are personal. Choose wisely. Satisfaction is not always guaranteed.


Product Weakness: Perfection is in the ear of the beholder.No discernible weakness
Product Strengths: Quality of construction and consistent sonics


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Classe CA101
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Conrad Johnson Premier14
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Classe CDP10
Speakers: Epos M12
Cables/Interconnects: DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections): all types
Room Size (LxWxH): x x x x x
Room Comments/Treatments: n/a
Time Period/Length of Audition: n/a
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): n/a
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Classé Audio CA-101 Amplifier (SS) - NeuGeo 00:54:22 08/15/04 ( 11)