2. amps-preamps
  3. 156400-144211

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

I am looking at two Classè audiogon postings. A Classe CAM 350 monoblock ($4,449) vs Classe CAM-400 monoblock ($4,900).


I don’t know Classè amps all that well but the earliest reviews I can find for the CAM 350 go back to 2001. The CA-400 may go back to 2009, when was the CAM-400 last made? I don’t know. Any differences in reliability or performance?

Should I assume both need to be recapped? Does one amp run hotter than the other? Is one Class A the other class AB?

Are there any Classè experts out there? I’d guess for the newer more powerful CAM-400 and extra $450 is not much of a difference everything else being equal.

As an audiogon virgin, having never bought or sold here I don’t know that “everything else is equal”.  I don't know how much to trust what I read.

All source material will be FLAC files. Speakers are Magnepan 3.7i about two years old. I know I love how Classè sounds but I worry about the heat making the room unlivable.  My taste in music is eclectic, almost anything except rap.

Perhaps the cool alternative would be a used Bryston 4B3 which Audiogon has 4 for sale at $4,100 - $4,500, any of which would have to be newer and less expensive than the Classè amps.  I have never listened to Bryston 4B3 on magnepan 3.7i speakers.  I don't know if I would like it?

A little guidance for the blind, but not deaf, yet, please; thank you.


timothywright
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
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

timothywright OP
55 posts
 
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.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
If I will not use something because they make my home unlivable than no sense paying $4,900 for it

It won’t, people think Classe Audio amps are Class-A and produce big heat and is going to roast them. They are not, they have as as much Class-A bias put on them to make them run luke warm like any other Class-A/B amp.
And if thrashed at party levels they will get hot, just like any other Class-A/B amp will.
If you want a cool running amp get a Class-D and you go black too as sound won’t matter.

Cheers George
timothywright OP
55 posts
 
I have an angel who lives on my right shoulder (Thanks be to God).  The Bryston 4B3 was on consignment and the owner of title does not want to ship the Bryston power amp cross country. Call it divine providence.  So the deal fell through.  I am not out a dime.

There is a local owner of a pair of Classe' Audio CAM 400 monoblock speakers who I expect (Lawd willin') will let me try the pair in my own listening room.   If I can avoid S&H, sales tax and demo in my own home I'll be a happy puppy.  That will cost $1,300 more than plan "A" but if it does not burn down the house with BTUs I know I can live with the Classe sound.

So I may yet own a set of Classe monoblocks. As long as I don't worship them it will not break the first commandment.  (joke)
timothywright OP
55 posts
 
The soap opera is never over. The Classe dealer is now answering his phone but he no longer sells Classe.

 

He would like me to listen to McIntosh MC312 which gets great reviews, but he doesn’t have any Magnepan 3.7i speakers to mate up with them.

 The McIntosh MC312 actually gets rave reviews for being rewarding to listen to at conversational levels of volume. It would not fit on the unmovable shelf under my TV.

 Then I am reminded that the McIntosh MC462 is only $1000 more and perhaps better fitting my power requirements?

 I was warned that McIntosh owners are cult members and that McIntosh was not as good as Pass Labs or Classe for the same money.

 I am still keeping an open mind, looking for a little direction here because for me $8,000 is a whole lot of money.


More to discover