2. amps-preamps
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RE: Better...Classe CA-2200 or Levinson 333-5-6?

For the last two years, I've had a used ML333 amp that had been paired with a pair of Apogee Duetta Signatures. With the loads that those speakers need, the ML333 was one of the few amps that wouldn't get fried in handling those speakers. Unfortunately, my cat decided about a month ago to sit on top of it and let loose with cat urine that fried the components to where the estimates to repair the unit start at $2,600 and could go to $4,000.

At first, I was committed to getting another ML333, or a 335 or 336 because I loved the ML so much.

After turning over numerous rocks in trying to find a replacement and coming up dry on those fronts, I'm leaning heavily toward making a massive change to my system. Knowing that my amp choices are significantly limited when paired with the Apogees, I came across a pair of Martin Logan Prodigys that I'm considering making my primary speakers in place of the Duetta Signatures. The Apogees had been part of a system that included a pair of Vandersteen 2Ces, and two Vandersteen 2Ws (one powered and one not). To power the sub, I had an Aragon 8002 to handle that job, along with sending the signal to the powered one as well. The 333 easily powered the Apogees and 2Ce's in tandem.

From what I've been told, if I went with the Prodigys, they are much easier to drive than Apogees, so my range of usable amps would be significantly larger. In place of my fried ML333, I've been told about the Classe CA-2200 could handle the job, with one offered that would come with the full 5-year warranty.

With the added bass that the Prodigys I think can handle, I'm thinking of trading in my unpowered 2W, along with the Duetta Signatures, and even possibly the Aragon amp.

I'm wondering how much of an upgrade people think I would be achieving, going from a system that had a ML333, Aragon 8002, Apogee Duetta Signatures, Vandersteen 2Ce's, and a pair of Vandersteen 2Ws to one with Martin Logan Prodigys, Vandersteen 2Ce's, a single powered Vandersteen 2W, all working off the Classe CA-2200. The investment for the purchased equipment will likely be in the area of $9K, and the return on what I would sell would likely be in the area of about $2,750, netting a total investment of slightly more than $6K. If I went with holding steady in getting another ML amp, I'll likely have to spend another $3.5K to $4K, so a difference of a couple of thousand between the two.

Any thoughts?
acaamano
davt's avatar
davt
505 posts
 
Though I cannot comment on your particular combinations my testing a few years ago might help. The speakers I was using were the Verity Parsifal Encores, newest version.
Sim W7, great dynamics, excellent "slam", very fast and dynamic
Pass 250.5, much like the Sim but perhaps a bit smoother in the midrange, seemed a bit more balanced, perhaps a bit more air in high range than the Sim but similar detail
McIntosh 402, another nice amp, seemed to draw attention to each instrument but struggled to make them sound well together, perhaps a little roled off at the peakrs.
Classe CA-2200, spend some time with it, very subtle, not as dynamic as the sim or Pass, midrange to die for, very musical. I can see where people say it does not have "slam" as it is more of a musical speaker, very rich, great air, very musical, all instruments stand out like the mac but sound wonderful together. By far the best at getting timbre correct, especially with piano and strings. Definetely takes an audition to choose. I thought that they were all about the same price, (they were 4 years ago) and was pleased to find out the classe was the cheapest of the bunch. If I had to choose #2, it would be the pass for my tastes, another neutral amp, easy to listen to for a long time. Sim and Mac are a toss, but both very nice amps as well.
ghostrider45
449 posts
 
Don't write off your Duetta Sigs so quickly. They are not nearly as tough a load as the original Apogee Full Range and Scintila, which went down to 1 ohm. The Duetta Sigs are a 3-4 ohm mostly resistive load. Lots of amps including tubes can drive them successfully.

I used Duetta Sigs for about 5 years. At first I used a pair of Krell KMA100 MKII Monoblocks but replaced them with a pair of Pass Aleph 1.2 monoblocks. The Alephs are not the best amps for driving ultra low impedance loads but did fine with the Duetta Sigs. They were a sweet sounding combination.

I upgraded the Duetta Sigs to Apogee Studio Grands about 7 years ago, and the Alephs are still in use and making glorious music.

I think a lot of modern amps will handle your Duetta Sigs with no problems.
no_money
638 posts
 
how are you going to keep the cat off the new amp?

All ways a fear of mine and one reason I have not replaced my Proceed HPA2 yet... (sealed on top)
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