As I am sitting here reading this string of posts, I have my newly acquired ProAc response 5 speakers (which are replacing my 20 year old response 3) all being driven by my recently purchased (about 15 months old) Classe Sigma SSP coupled with a Classe Sigma Amp 5 fed by an Aurender N100H and a Linn Sondek LP12. My cabling is mostly vintage MIT with a Nordost USB. I chose the Sigma because of the blend of really awesome 2 channel, coupled with great surround at a very reasonable price. Classe chose the right places to make tradeoffs without compromising quality that they correctly deemed important for someone like me, and they absolutely nailed it.
I will be saving to purchase a pair of Classe mono block amps, but not sure if they will be Sigmas or CA-M300/600. I will have to wait a while because either way, we are talking small car purchase... only question is new or used! Lol. My surround speakers are all B&W. I bought my step son an entire system around B&W speakers which I lived with driven by the Classe for a couple weeks before delivering to him. So I have listened to this setup with mid level B&W. My Classé replaced a Krell KSP7b with Audible Illusions S120 stereo amp. Many feel this preamp was one of the finer to have ever been manufactured by Krell (especially when considering its phono stage). The AI was more than respectable but I know for a few thousand more, it could be easily bested it. Previously, I managed a rock band where I had 4 records mastered using top of the line B&W speakers but I can't remember what the amplification consisted of.
My message is simple... I absolutely love the Classe and when I had issues with the SSP, Classe completely stood behind their product and went above and beyond to take care of me. Yes, there are many great sounding and excellent manufacturers and dealers that offer and stand behind their brands and products. A good dealer will let you borrow equipment, help you set it up in your home and try it. Trust your ears (not only the first seconds or hours, but days. Trust your heart. Buy from someone you still want to deal with in the years between major purchases and who will still support you during these "dry" years. My guy has been Mick Survance of Quintessence Audio in Chicago area for nearly 30 years.
People's posts tend to be highly biased because we are all both financially and emotionally vested, myself included. Not a criticism, just an honest reality. Classe was purchased by the B&W group 15 years ago and around 5 years ago they stopped manufacturing in Montreal and moved production to a company owned plant in China. A lot of people are put off by this, which I guess is not unreasonable, but Apple still sells a hell of a lot of pretty high quality products... many of which I happily own but all of which are assembled in China. All I can say is that to me, my system sounds fantastic, better than ever before... and I am absolutely thrilled with it. Enjoy your quest. Have fun with it. And most importantly revel in the beauty of awesome music. You could make much worse decisions than going with Classe, but if you decide to go that way, I expect you will be very happy as well. Good luck!
