Classe integrated or Musical Fidelity?


I'll be auditioning (at home) a Classe CAP-101 next week. Is anyone familiar with this piece? I wondered if it would be worth buying one of MF A300's to try at home...they're approximately the same price - in the $1500 range. Are one of these generally recommended over the other? I have a Sony DVP-7700 front end and Vandersteen Model 2 speakers. $1500 is a decent chunk of change for me so I'd like to get it right the first time. Feel free to suggest others in this price range, too. Thanks in advance for your help!
chuke076
If you do not need the additional power you may want to consider the Musical Fidelity A3 amp (85 watts/channel) at $500.00 less. It has better writeups and reviews. I use Musical Fidelity X components and am very pleased with the sound, though the A series having a slightly cleaner sound would be a better match with your Vandersteens IMO. I have also listened to the Classe at a shop and enjoyed its smooth top end, but this was on a pair of much brighter speakers than yours. I would give the A3 a try as well, as you never know until you listen in your home.
Both are well thought of with (I think) the MF being a newer design (which may be meaningless). If there are any significant differences which would be apparent to you, it should be you who makes that decision, since essentially everyone has a set of variables which are unique to them. I think that you would be satisfied with either one. But, if you must have a choice, then do very well controlled side-by-side. It's more difficult than you might expect.
Classe Integrated!! Their CAP-100 used to be stereophile CLASS A. Music fidelity's diffrerent models are in CLASS B!!! You will choose Classe after auditioning both !!!!
Cosider the Primare 30.1 from Sweeden. It seems to be a big hit in Great Britain, could be a real sleeper. Someones got new units listed cheap. Or buy the Sim preamp listed for $800 and look for an $800 power amp. Just some options I thought were of interest.
Musical Fidelity A3.I have one driving 4 ohm/87 db efficiency speakers it is clean,quiet and loud.