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
as far as the bass overiding the highs and mids on complex parts... on my Ascents I had that issue, great bass but just "too much" for my room. I used the attenuator on the back to drop the bass by -3db and it worked wonders. I am not that familiar with the Prodigy but there should be an adjustement on the back. Give it a shot.
cover the top of the amp with a piece of carpet imbedded with razor blades (just don't block the any airvents); I'll bet that keeps the cat off the amp.
Hey Musicnoise:

I don't know if the wife will go for that...even though I agree that would certainly do the job. I'm thinking with the top of the Classe amp more than 3 1/2 feet off the floor should do it without the need for razor blades.

To no_money:
I'm pretty much decided on going with the Classe amp and will give the Prodigys another listen, maybe this weekend (especially considering the switch you mention that's likely on the back of each speaker), even though I'm very positive in keeping my Apogees, even if I might have to do some work on them in the near future. I'm hoping to hear some costs associated with some tweaks to one of the speakers that might be necessary.
I have been wanting that same amp for some time now!

I would give it a shot with the Apogees.
Throwing a potential wrench in the equation...A 333 that I had only been considering only slightly, as the price was out of my range has been dropped to less than (about $600) what the Classe would be if I bought that amp. The 333 evidently had significant work done to it to update/upgrade it, so one could almost argue the 333 is almost sonically new.

While I'm not too afraid of road trips, I'd have to get in the car to drive 6 to 8 hours just to listen to the 333 to then decide on whether to buy it, versus where I've already had the CA-2200 on loan in my home the last two days in my system to get a sense of what it can do.

Should I still go with the new Classe, with the full 5-year warranty, over the 333?

Thoughts?