Classe 30/70 preamp and amp question(s) and more

[ClasseAudio]

Hi. Thought I would see if anyone here has any experience with this combo? If you didn't have both that's ok as long as you owned one or the other. Or,if you have listened to one and have audible memory of it. This is the combo I have now paired with a pair of B&W CDM1SE speakers. I really enjoy the synergy the pre/amp & B&W have together. The issue I am having is that the bass in the midrange sounds bloated. Also, some of the vocals sound a little veiled as well. I do have the speakers monuted on B&W stands running Audioquest Type 4 cables. I previously had MIT but for a 1/10th of the price I am getting 98% of what I was hearing with the MIT cables.

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a Classe DR-2....from what I have read from reviews the 25 wpc class A amp is the best of the best from Classe back in the day. I am also in the market for better speakers. So far I am considering the Fritz Carbon 7,something by Dynaudio possibly,Jamo (I had a pair years ago and liked their sound alot, or maybe a pair of Dali speakers. Any opinions,suggestions,gripes,praises, etc. are welcomed. Thanks.

[Effem]

Another pair of speakers wouldn't go amiss I reckon. I have never admired the B&W sound although some folks have a deep love affair with the marque :eyebrows:

I'm running a Classe 10 power amp into a pair of Dali Suite 2.8 floorstanders and really enjoying the sound since I bought a YS Audio Symphonies valve pre. I have had plenty of solid state pre's and a Musical Fidelity F22 pre into the Classe, but none come close to what I currently have in resolution, sweetness and bottom end clout :)

[serendipitydawg]

Hello

I recently bought a Classe Seventy power amp from Jerry (jandl100) from Private Exhibitions on this very forum, a little over two weeks ago.

Never owned a seperate power before: it's driven by one of Mr Beresford's ubiquitous DAC's and to my ear's sounds wonderful, when driving some bargain Mission and Celestion speakers.

I am thinking of getting an active pre-amp to "match" and have seen a Classe CP 35 at the right price and am tempted to get it to see if balanced inputs into The Seventy yield even better sound quality.

[Effem]

I wouldn't say you get dramatically "better" results for using balanced connections. A tad louder perhaps.

I am much preferring a valve pre into my Classe power than any solid state pre

[Ali Tait]

Agreed,I'm using a WAD Pre 2 into a pair of bridged DPA Enlightenment power amps at the moment.Sounds very nice!

[Dr. Flicker]

The old Dave Reich no-holds-barred amps are the sh*t (DR2, DR3, DR3VHC, DR9). If given a choice, I'd go for the DR3 (VHC if possible). Do you already have a DR2 available to purchase?

The low watts are deceiving, but they were conceived prior to the amp "watt wars" for marketing. With true pure class A and 6db of headroom, it's no wonder people are charmed by their musicality.

They are also incredibly stable, so fear no speaker. They are well paired with panels. If and when I leave the SET world, this is also the amp I will probably get. For what you can pick these up for on the used market, it's almost a crime to buy anything at retail these days.



KGB

[petepapp]

Have a pair of dr3vhc amps that have been sitting for 15+ years if anyone is interrested.

[Marco]

Hi Pete,

Welcome to AoS :)

Where is Vermilion, mate? Is it in the US? If so, it's best to add that to your profile, as this is an international forum, and so not everyone will be instantly familiar with every state in every country in the world - cheers! :cool:

Marco.

[audio39]

"The issue I am having is that the bass in the midrange sounds bloated. Also, some of the vocals sound a little veiled as well."

Yep, that pretty much sums up the pair!

Of the Reich amps my favourite will always be the DR3-VHC...sweet, stable, and when paired with a Classe Audio Six (DR-6) preamplifier the sound is definitely world class.

I'm a huge Clase fan from back in the days of the DR and then numbered series...I used to spend many hours on the phone with Armin (former service rep) discussing gear and all things Classe.

The 70 is a sweet amp, but is very "warm"...too "warm" in my opinion, I found it to soften and cloud the music.

Of all the the amps from the first 2 (3?) series I find the Classe Audio Fifteen (not DR-15) to be the best and most musical amplifier...and it will drive near to any speaker.

Another great find from that time is the S-1000 (stereo version of the M-1000 monoblocks) - the amp sounds near identical to the Fifteen with a power supply that rivals a Krell (3.5 KVA), the low frequency depth is something to hear, bass drivers are commanded.

Anyway, that's the long winded way of saying that your finding of the 70 is the same as mine.

Rick.

[macvisual]

I've been using a Classe Audio 30 pre-amp for around two years now and totally love it, it's very neutral sounding. And the remote control is a bonus. I use the built-in mm/mc phono stage which is also excellent.

I have no intensions of selling this pre-amp, it's a long term keeper for sure, wonderful pre-amp and tank like build quality. The XLR on rear connections are brilliant.

A close friend owns both the 30 pre and 70 power which he bought from new around ten years ago, faultless in every way!

[Glen B]

Hi. Thought I would see if anyone here has any experience with this combo? If you didn't have both that's ok as long as you owned one or the other. Or,if you have listened to one and have audible memory of it. This is the combo I have now paired with a pair of B&W CDM1SE speakers. I really enjoy the synergy the pre/amp & B&W have together. The issue I am having is that the bass in the midrange sounds bloated. Also, some of the vocals sound a little veiled as well. I do have the speakers monuted on B&W stands running Audioquest Type 4 cables. I previously had MIT but for a 1/10th of the price I am getting 98% of what I was hearing with the MIT cables.

I am thinking of pulling the trigger on a Classe DR-2....from what I have read from reviews the 25 wpc class A amp is the best of the best from Classe back in the day. I am also in the market for better speakers. So far I am considering the Fritz Carbon 7,something by Dynaudio possibly,Jamo (I had a pair years ago and liked their sound alot, or maybe a pair of Dali speakers. Any opinions,suggestions,gripes,praises, etc. are welcomed. Thanks.

I know this is an old thread. What Classé and other components do you have right now? A higher model Classé preamp will outperform the CP-30.