Classe CAM 350 monoblock vs Classe CAM-400 or Bryston 4B3

Timothy, Here is my 2 cents for now and the future...Always a gamble buying used...The Classe' gear was built to last...My 600's were used...I don't know anything about their current gear or the company...People who have this level of gear(the former company) usually take care of what they have...Good luck!....John

I compared the CAM-400's to the Parasound JC-1's and the Parasound was a clear winner to my ears.  I still own them after many years while nearly all of the surrounding components have changed.

Today I wouldn't consider the older Classe equipment just for the maintenance aspects, but that's me.

Timothy,

That McIntosh dealer who said you should listen to a product but not in your own home -- nuts!

Echo is a local dealer I’ve been happy with. I’m beyond disappointed to hear of your experience.

Roger Sanders was great when I auditioned a Magtech. I hope the amp pleases you, so you don’t have to go through any more aggravation.

We hear weeping for the fading of brick-and-mortar stores. But local dealers often don’t offer the level of service given by Internet dealers. Again, nuts!

You could also try PS Audio M700s.  New, powerful, good sounding, and cool running.

And available in black!  😉

I have been having fun with my Magtech since about 9am, my cleaning lady was here today and we have similar taste in music, she actually likes her music a little louder than I do.  She is incapable of sitting and critically listening to music, she has to get up and dance to the music.  It reminds me of my Columbian GF of a few years ago. Play a samba or mombo and you could swear someone put something in her drink; they should wear a disclaimer or require an OSHA sign.

 

This is more of a preliminary impression than a premature review.  The 900 wpc is useful even at 70% volume. The bass is quick and has more impact than I remember.  I attribute that to endless reserves of Magtech. I can’t fault the clarity. I was listening to the first note of Louie- Louie from Clark-Duke Project and my 95# black lab was doing his lap dog treatment. On the first note of Louie- Louie Alleluia jumped up startled and looked at me like what the hell was that?  With the Yamaha M2 power amp I was wonder if a DWM bass panel or two might help; now I know it would not be helpful with the Magtech amp diving the Magnepan 3.7i. I have a bass to be reckoned with, not excessive but authoritative.  With the proper power amp I don’t see the 3.7i ever needing a DWM.

 It has been fun, I may need to reposition my speakers, not sure which way and for what yet. I would like a better stage presence or imaging. I suspect that is nothing to do with the Magtech power amp. A tube pre-amp to replace the Rotel RC-1590 might be something worth trying.

 60-70% on my pre amp is conversational level; low to mid 70s % volume is where I find myself doing critical listening. 80% is damn loud, rude loud (120+ dBa). I’ve not ventured much above that. I read using the balanced connectors would give me 3dBa more volume but I don’t know why I would need it.

 I need to spend more time critical listening at low levels, background music volume as when I am reading or focused on a jigsaw puzzle. What is clear so far is the Magnepan-Magtech combination does not need to be cranked up to perform.