McIntosh vs Classe Multichannel System

That's going to be about a draw. Both companies do analog well. Classe's new pre/pros aren't yet released for a direct comparison. Mcintosh MX135 is a more advanced technically than the Classe SSP300. It has 24/192 dacs vs the 24/96 in the Classe SSP300. Also the analog to digital to converter is 24/192 and the Classe is not. Another consideration is the power supply. The Classe has a digital supply which will make it run cooler but is sometimes a sonic liability. If you look at the specs for the Classe SSP600 you will see that it has a hybrid analog/digtal power supply which is almost an admission that a purely digital power supply as they are implementing it in the SSP300 is not as good. The MX135 is based largely upon the C-45 multi-channel pre-amp that was a runner-up for Stereophile pre/amp of the year.Lastly the MX135 is running that new Motorola Aerius chip which is going at 1.2 billion instructions per second. I think that give it the the most powerful dsp chip of any pre/pro currently on the market. I've heard the Classe Delta two channel pre-amp and it is a solid performer. If the pre/pros deliver anything like it, they will be great performers. Classe keeps pushing the delivery time of it's new SSP's back I don't own either processor but have investigated both.

I can only vow for the McIntosh system. My setup is MC206 and MX135 w/ the 851 MVP. Musicwise, it's second to none, moviewise, this pre/pro really make the center channel sings. Good luck, tim

Bulldogger, that is a nice and knowledgeable comparison, and greatly appreciated. Tim, that's a dream setup! What speakers are you using and what are their sensitivities and impedences? I have B&W Matrix 801s which seem to sound better and better with more power. I am planning to use them for the front. I believe the difference between 206 and 207 is 100w.ch vs 200w/ch (along with price jump of $2000).

The differences between the MC207 and the MC206 are much more significant that just the additional 100W. The MC207 really tests out much closer to 300W and has a much different design. (I just bought a MC207 and did a ton of research and before upgrading from my wonderful MC7205.)