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Anyone modded Classe CA300?

Curious if anyone has modded a Classe CA300 amp. I've owned one for quite a few years now and thought I'd investigate alternatives to replacement. The thing's built like a tank and has been very dependable but there's probably newer amps out there that sound much better (including some Classes).
128x128rja
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 
Damping the ringing heatsinks helps a lot for a DIY simple mod.
ketchup
698 posts
 
In what way does damping the heatsinks change the sound? I have a CA-200 but I don't want to mess with it if I'm not sure what it will do... the amp is too mint to go sticking things to it :)
rhljazz
1,254 posts
 
The CA200 may not have a big problem with this. The fins on the CA300 make a high frequency ping when tapped with your finger nail which my DR8 amps only make more of a dull clink sound when tapped. The transistors are mounted to the back side of the finned heatsinks. I used some strips of black painted MDF with brass cones upside down, set on top, used as weights run length wise just sitting atop the fins to damp the resonance. The amp did not run warm so it did not overheat the wood nor did the wood make the fins run appreicably warmer. I did find a reduction in glare and better reproduction of female vocalists along with a warmer more tightly focused soundstage.
darrylhifi
498 posts
 
Good one Rhljazz. Never heard or even thought of that before. I have a 301 and I will have to try some type of version of that tweak.
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