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

If the older Classé amps ever need service, that might be complicated by Classé’s ownership changing from the B&W Group to Sound United, which I believe is not repairing older units. Bryston, of course, is not owned by a holding group and repairs all their gear.

I have not heard those Classé amps; a newer CA-2300 sounded superb to me. Unfortunately, it had a fan, which I could hear -- ugh. I picked a Bryston 4B3 instead and am enjoying it very much. It's a great amp, very smooth for a SS amp yet with a powerful grip. Still, $4500 would be high for a used one, in my opinion. You might also think about the 14B3, the bigger one, as @arctikdeth suggested. I had a 14BSST and thought it was really wonderful. I hear that Maggies like power.

timothywright


The Magie 3.7i have a nasty low load at 200-600hz
http://www.people.vcu.edu/~sliner/MG37_P&I.jpg

The Classe CAM 350 monoblocks on Stereophile said

"Classé more than met its specified power, delivering 450W into 8 ohms (26.5dBW) and 780W into 4 ohms (25.9dBW). Into a 2 ohm load, however, the protection circuitry cut in at 1000W, equivalent to an output current of 44.7A!"

Look good to go for the 350 monoblocks

Cheers George

I have been performing a little research. The Classè heat issue still concerns me with my modest abode.  I can listen to music for hours at a time and Classè amps operating over that length of time could make my listening room uncomfortable.

Today I found a black Bryston 4B3 power amp for only $3575 on Echohifi.com. Black will match the rest of my rack. This unit is only 2 years old and in “9” condition. S&H will cost me an additional $119 but this will total cost $1,000 to $1,500 less then either pair of Classè monoblocks which were at least 10-15 years old. The difference in money concerns me less than the significant heat issue which I have experienced myself.

I expect I can manage to get by with “only” 500 wpc into 4 Ω which is a small step up from 350 wpc into 4 Ω. I will have three days to decide once I take possession.  I could be annoyed, not at anyone here at audiogon.  If I can buy from a dealer in Oregon but my local shop has not answered my phone call for at least a month. Had he at least returned my phone call and told me what Classè amps he had in stock I would probably own one of those instead.

Those monstrous Classè monoblocks do radiate a presence in a bachelor’s home, some evidence of commitment and grander, and contempt for all WAF issues.  One could put two of them together with a dog bed on top and keep several greyhounds very happy all winter long. I can admit that I was tempted but in the last analysis only impressing oneself does not amount to much.  Better to own something I can live with.

I’ll need at least six XLR cables of reasonable quality. I have some on order from Cable Matters. I may yet replace my Rotel RC-1590 preamp with a tube amp given the opportunity. I looked into music service streaming DACs but I suspect none will sound better than my 54,000 flac files ripped from 4,000 CDs.

I would like to thank all who were so generous with their advice and encouragement.

Today I found a black Bryston 4B3 power amp for only $3575 on Echohifi.com. Black will match the rest of my rack.

Classe over Bryston every day, less the back matching the rack has priority sound. 

Cheers George

You may be correct on Classe over Bryston. For me matching color is minor. The determining factor is the heat.  If I will not use something because they make my home unlivable than no sense paying $4,900 for it.