Classe or Bryston?

Carl, I already live in the wonderful tubetrap forest of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Much fun. I enjoy the benifits of an excellent dealer who allows home audition of many fine toys. He doesn't stock the specific amps in question, though, so I was looking for imput on-line. Thanks again. Do continue to encourage others to enter the magic forests of ACS.

stereophile also said that bryston amps are powerful and dynamic. Thats what they do right. but they said what they don't do is that they are not very airy, detailed or transparent. I prefer the latter which is why I like my classe. But It's just a preferance thing so I wouldn't slam bryston. Also, sorry if I came off a little pushy about the system matching. I know you can get a great sounding system with different gear. It's not ideal but we all do what we can. I don't have the ideal system for me but I suppose I never will. And if I did then a month later I would want something else. It's all about enjoying what we can have.

Glad you have ASC's. They're essential.

I auditioned a Classe CA-100, CA-200, CAV-150 (own), Bryston 4BST, Krell, Audio Research, Krell, etc...with Aerial Acoustics 10ts + Lexicon. My opinions: The Classe CA-200 was, by far, the most musical amplifier. The midrange was as good as the Audio Research and very smooth and realistic. The highs were great. However, the bass was weak and the soundstage wasn't as crisp as the Bryston. So, if you want to do HT, get the Bryston. If you want to do music, get the Clasee -- but, whatever you do, do NOT underpower the Aerials. The CA-100 sounded horrible -- very compressed -- running on my 10Ts. You will notice that the caps on a CAV-75 are much smaller than those found on even a 100/150 watt CA amplifier. So, I could recommend CAV-150 bridged to 300 for center and surrounds and a CA-200,300,400 for fronts (8's) Best Regards, Happy Listening, Mark

If you like romantic... go Classe... Honest, detailed(but not bright or forward) go Bryston. Classe a little to syruppy for me...