Can CLASSE Amps Drive.......


....a continous 2Ohm load without any problem/concern? To Classe owners out there, would you kindly share your valuable experienced.

I am looking at the CAV series (75 or 150) multi channel amp to do duty on this http://www.linkwitzlab.com/orion_us.htmfor HT and 2 channel.

The required amp for this is 6-CH minimum. Most owners use 8 channels which makes individual channel driving a 4 Ohm load each. Now for 6 channel, 4 will be driving a nominal 4 Ohm load independently while two of the channels will see a 2 OHM load continously (Peerless sub drivers X 2 connected in parallel).

I am considering the Classe because of budget contraints (they are now available at around $1800 used!). Besides, the CAV 150 Six-Channel amp for example at 150 wpc(8 Ohms) continous as rated by the manufacturer will double up at 4 Ohm load, so it means that it is safe to say that its capacity is about 1.8 kW at 4 Ohms and with say a factor of safety of about 30% (which is a lot of room) will give me aroun 1.2 to 1.3 kW. Assuming that I am using 50W for the tweeter and mid (that must be very loud already!) each, which at 4 Ohms becomes 100w x 4 is 400 watts. From the estimated available power above, I still have around 900W at 4. So that will be 450 per of two which seems to be more than enough to drive a 2 Ohm load. Does that sound right to you?

Comments please!
amandarae
I have a CAV 500 which has been a very reliable piece in my home theater. I have 3 CA 400's as well. They sound great and seem able to drive almost any load. They drive Thiels which can present a challenge to lesser amps. Anyway, in my dealings with Classe I have found Armin Gschwendtner (customer service manager at Classe) to be helpful. Phone is (514) 636-6384.
Web address is www.cservice@classeaudio.com

Classe is very helpful and their people are knowledgable.
Rich Nicholls
My Classe CAV-180 drives my Martin Logan Ascents very well. The impedance of these speakers drops VERY low.