thoft,
Its not really the watts as it is the current to handle a load.
A Pass X260.8 is right at that 1000 watts into 2 ohm load. Switching it out to the X600.8 is a very noticable difference especially in the bottom end.
The best test is to see if you can get a loaner amp to try and compare it to the Classe’. If that does not show improvement then you know you need to look elsewhere in the chain. I'd hang onto the Classe' until you work out whats the solution.