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I'm a bit confused on these:
there was a DR 2 and a DR 3 than a DR 3B and than a DR3 VHC.
My question is: whta is the difference between these?
I saw a few DR like the DR 3 but WITHOUT engraving on the fron plate...what are they?
Many Thanks for helping on these vintage beauties.
Follow Ups:
I see that you've located some of the best solid state amplifiers ever manufactured.I've owned a few Classe products back in the 1990's including the following:
Classe DR-2
Classe DR-3VHCClasse DR-4
Classe DR-5The Classe DR-2 was the first real production amplifier of Classe Audio, designed and manufactured by then founder of Classe, David Reich (hence the DR in the nomenclature).
The DR-3 and DR-3B were essentially just upgrades to the earlier topology of the DR-2. Cosmetically they were all identical.
The DR-3 VHC was a larger amplifier(105 lbs vs 70 lbs DR-3,DR-3B - 65 lbs DR-2), roughly a full third taller than the other amplifiers and putting out a full 45 watts per channel in pure Class A mode.
It was the most beautifully built amplifier that I have ever owned -- easily on par with the best that Mark Levinson, Krell and several other manufacturers within the upper echelon of hi-end audio were building at the time. And it wasn't cheap either, at $4750 in 1987 dollars. That equates to about 8 grand today!
The VHC ran hotter than a firecracker though and gobbled up electricity. I sold it after a year, then bought it back a year later from the same guy that I had purchased it from (who had sold it to me the first time around!).
I eventually had to let the old gal go because she just ran too hot during the summer months. However, if you have other amp's that you can use during the warmer months of the year, you can use the Classe to heat your home during the cooler ones.
The DR series were all excellent sounding amplifiers, with subtle improvements coming with each subsequent model. IMHO, you can't go wrong with any of them as long as they've been well cared for.
The VHC In particular is a work of art. Designed specifically to be used with Apogee Scintillas, the DR-VHC is still considered by many to be the best amplifier to use with those superb but finicky speakers.
Two VHC's strapped for mono use with the Scintillas work quite well for running them in the one ohm mode, where they sound best.
Here the DR-3 VHC is putting out 100 watts a side in pure Class A mode.
Used prices should be as follows depending on condition:
DR-2 $800 - $1000
DR-3/3B $1000 -- $1200
DR-3 VHC $1800 -- $2500 (better get yourself a truss if you plan on buying this one!)You've made some good selections with the DR series amps. Many people feel that they are better than any of Classe's present offerings, believing that David Reich was the magic in that company.
I for one, happen to concur.
Enjoy The Music!
Thanks Jim,
very detailed description.
I have some vintage literature (brochure and review) about the DR 3 if you are interested feel free to ask I can make a pdf file.
I have a last question:
Do you why some DR 3 series don't have the engraving on the front plate?
Thanks again,
Alex.
Alex,I have never seen a Classe DR series amplifier without an engraved faceplate. I believe that David Reich's foray into this field was with the Classe DR-1, of which only a few examples were built.
Perhaps you've found one of those.
If so, you might want to contact Classe in Canada to see if they have any information in regard to David Reich's most recent whereabouts.
I did so several years ago and found that he was designing amplifiers for another company (the name of which escapes me at present).
However, I was able to contact him to ask some questions that I had in regard to my DR-3 VHC and he was quite helpful.
He was also very appreciative of my glowing comments in regard to this amplifier.
Unfortunately there are some people who've posted erroneous commentary regarding comparisons between this amplifier and its earlier siblings -- the DR-2 and DR-3 -- claiming that they were superior to the VHC.
This is simply not the case. To my ear, the VHC had all of the musicality of the earlier two, but with much more power.
I owned a DR-2 for quite awhile and enjoyed it. But it was no
VHC.Anyone who's fortunate enough to locate a VHC in nice shape these days should snap it up and hold onto it.
I only wish that I had kept mine.
Best regards,
Jim
The DR-3 VHC is the high-current version of the amp. I don't know what the difference is between the DR-3 and DR-3B.
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