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SimAudio or Classe for Power Amplifier

As I continue to upgrade my system I am looking at the amplifier as the next component on the hit list.

My current system:
- Marantz SA-14 SACD player (modified by Tube Research Labs)
- Conrad-Johnson 17LS Tube Preamplifier (Amperex Holland 60s tubes)
- Rotel RMB-1095 5X200W power amplifier
- Wilson Benesch Discovery loudspeakers

I am looking for a solid-state power amplifier with 200WPC minimum to drive the WB loudspeakers. I originally thought of getting a set of Parasound JC-1 monoblocks but realize that the heat dissipation would be an issue in my modest sized room. I will stick with a tube preamplifier however the brand/model may evolve over time.

Living in Canada, I thought that SimAudio and Classe would be two companies worth investigating. Both of these Quebec, Canada based companies have a good reputation for building high quality power amplifiers. Also both appear to be stable financially.

The current models I am looking at are:
- SimAudio WS, 190WPC
- Classe CA2200, 200WPC

If I win the lottery, I might consider getting the monoblock versions, ;-}
- SimAudio W10, 750WPC
- Classe CAM400, 400WPC

I am interested in the feedback of those who have compared the amplifiers of these two companies. Also feedback about these companies in general. I understand that Classe is now owned by the holding company that owns B&W and has a stake in Rotel. Not sure if SimAudio is still an independent company.
shuang
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
audio4ever and rjhalla:

I find your opposite opinions very interesting. What speakers have you heard the Classe and Simaudio on respectively? I have B&W 802D speakers. Also, do both mind if I ask what kind of music you listen to and what your preferences are in terms of music reproduction?
rjhalla
47 posts
 
audio4ever, I own B&W Matrix 801 S3 loudspeakers, I had a long audition with the W-5 and the CA-2200 driving these speakers. At the same time I had the opportunity to have a CA-300 and CA-401 in my home. I also auditioned a Bryston 4B-SST during this time but removed it from the competition very quickly, it was far less musical than the others.

The order of preference I had for these amps is in the following order: CA-300, CA-2200, W-5, CA-401.

The CA-300 was really an enjoyable amp, very musical, almost sweet. The CA-2200, I would describe it as pure, nothing added, nothing removed...very, very fast. The W-5 had great bass control, leaned a bit toward that sweet sound, but could be a bit edgy on the top end. The CA-401 was truly a brute, tons of power, but a bit much for me.

In the end however I still prefer my Classe S-1000, warm, sweet, and when needed it will kick like few amps can.

As far as music, mostly classic rock, lots of Zeppelin. I do enjoy music by the Corr's, Chicago, Whitney etc, but generally I find myself back into Classic Rock after the first hour of listening or so.
audio4ever
26 posts
 
I've heard Sim and Classe on B&W, Dynaudio, Thiel, JMLab, Martin Logan and some more. I am most familiar with the B&W, Dynaudios and Thiels. The Dynaudios are a match in heaven with the Sim. To my ears, the Classe sounded slow and a little bit fat with the Dynaudio's. The B&W's mate well with the Classe, but again I find something is just not right - a little bit 'dry' and not totally musical. The Sim which is a much faster amplifier brings the B&W's to life, and at all volumes, high and low, fills the room in a way the Classe cannot. This is not a big difference, just a small one, but it is noticeable. I like to hear music as it was recorded - a good recording, hear all the benefits, micro-information, hall reverb, detail at frequency extremes. A bad recording, hear all the flaws, but at the same time "see into the music". That's why I (and those who play musical instruments in general) don't like equipment that homogenizes sound - because everything then sounds the same, and you don't have a true reference. I listen to some Classical, but my main interest is good 'ol rock and roll. Obviously a lot of bad recordings in rock music, but to me the benefits outweigh the costs.
audio4ever
26 posts
 
I know the S-1000, it was a great amp, and IMO, better than what Classe makes today. But I can tell you that if the W-5 sounded edgy, it wasn't because of an intrinsic quality of the W-5. It was either a bad match for the preamp you used, or speaker cables, or even the speakers. Dynamic speakers simply don't have the speed of ribbons or electrostatics, and the W-5 will reveal the "slowness" of the B&W tweeter by comparison. Don't misunderstand me - their tweeter is amongst the best and fastest domes around, but all metal domes have faults in the very high frequencies, which are revealed by a fast amplifier. Contrary to the Classe which uses feedback to, in part, correct for this (but adds coloration in the process in the form of smeering fast transients so you don't hear them), the W-5 has no feedback and stable into any load. Of course, personal opinion accounts alot for what I'm saying, but I've seen measured results of this phenomenon in general, and it is true. You and I listen to the same music, so perhaps you should consider another listen....and keep in mind that unless the Sim is fully broken in, you won't enjoy it to its full extent. These amps unfortunately take a damn very long time to fully run-in.
audio4ever
26 posts
 
Actually, Rjhalla, on the issue of years in business, Classe started in 1980 and Sim in 1978. Sim started in the pro business, and then moved to address audiophiles in the early '80s.
I respect your opinion in which you prefer - like I said, it is personal opinion, and both companies make very nice product. If you wonder how I know so much information, it's because in the mid-90's I worked as manager at a high-end audio retail shop, before I left the industry (I was also in school at the time). I was an authorized dealer for both Sim and Classe, and know them well, including the people in both companies, so my info about their history is correct. The difference is that while Classe made the smart move to get into the US market early on, Sim waited a lot longer, so they may seem like a younger company, but are actually a bit older.
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