I have heard the DR-9 many times (for all you too-quick-to-judge doubting-
Thomas'). A close friend owned the DR-9 during the same time period of
about eight years that both he and I owned the DR-6 preamp (another
classic). During that time I owned, and used with the DR-6, Moscode 600,
Berning 2101, and Krell KSA50. It was part of our listening
"parties" to bring to each other's homes a component to trade
for a few days. The DR-9 lived in my system three times, each for at least
a week; I also heard it in his system numerous times. The Classe was in
an entirely different league (better) than the Moscode, I preferred it to the
Krell since it sounded less hi-fi (the Krell was very very good in a fun hi-fi
way), and comparisons to the Berning are kind of pointless since the
Berning, in spite of being the least "tubey" amp that I have ever
owned, still had all the great attributes of tubes. In my system these amps
drove heavily modified MGIIIA's and in my friend's it was Shahinians. So,
does that qualify my to "having heard the Classe?
The Classe was a great amp; for solid state. I love tube amps and the
Classe is one of two ss amps that I have heard in one of my systems that I
could live with; the other was the Levinson 23.5. Unless the MF A3.1 has
seen a miraculous transformation from the sound of the A3, if what you are
looking for is finesse, natural sense of aliveness, and natural timbre, IMO
the two are not close.
