The ARC didn’t give up much of anything in bottom end control, noise level or detail (like tube amps are said to do), and came across as super clean, controlled, and musical. The result? The solid-state Classe was just as smooth as the tube amp from ARC, and did everything well. Then I heard that the designers at Ariel were partial to Audio Research tube amps and Classe, so I found a dealer that had both and ran a Classe 301 against an ARC VT100MkII. types as too mechanical sounding, and was figuring “big tube amp”. I’d already eliminated the Mark Levinson etc. They also need upstream equipment that provides a smooth midrange or they can play a little hard. The 10T (Stereophile Speaker of the Year a few years ago) is a great speaker, but really needs a strong amplifier to deliver the stunning transients of which they’re capable (I’m a drummer and know transients, and these speakers still scare me). I recently went shopping for a new amplifier to drive my new Ariel 10T’s. 380s preamplifier, Classe CA 401 power amplifier, Cardas Golden Reference and quadlink interconnects (balanced), Quantum II in biwiring mode to the Mirage M1 si Bipolar Loudspeakers. 360s Digital to Analogue Convertor, Mardrigal Audio Labs digital cable, Mark Levinson No. Theta Data Basic CD Transport, Mark Levinson No. To end on that note, I would say that I can happily live with CA 401 until the end of time. to improve other sources in your system(s). Frankly, you could spend that extra $ 8,000 U.S. The Classe Omega amplifiers still offer that last increment of control however at $16,000 U.S it is not worth it to shell out the extra $ 8,000 U.S.
33s sound darker in comparision - especially at the extreme rear of the soundstage. The upper midrange and the high frequencies are the areas that I find that the CA 401 really outperforms even the Mark Levinson No. are reproduced with outstanding natural realism. Complex instruments such as harpsichords, violins, cymbals ect. The upper midrange and high frequencies are detailed yet very sweet, engaging, and again complete with the correct harmonic undertones. Pockets of air surrounding the images, which are served appropriately, really enhance the sensation of a recording's acoustics or venue.
The midrange is absolutely magical - extremely 3D and palpable yet the separation between images is clearly distinct. Deep bass is bottom less that must be heard to believe. The bass is extremely quick yet detailed couple with the correct harmonic structures. As a result, images coming from the space between, behind, and outside my Mirage M1 si bipolar speakers are reproduced with outstanding sonic and harmonic realism. The break-in period is now about 250 hours and comments about the sonic signature of the CA 401 are now appropriately served.Īlthough the sonic improvements over the CA 301 are subjectively small, the CA 401 builds upon the strengths of the CA 301 and refines them to the most exalted levels. I have recently upgraded my Classe CA 301 to the CA 401 which at $8,000 U.S is converging on the brankrupcy side for most of us out there however, I am extremly satisfied with this upgrade. Krells have had a reputation of sounding cold and bright - not true with their latest generation of amps! You want warm, super smooth with incredible slam and bass control - listen to a new Krell. Oh, and as to sound - my new Krell FPB 400cx blows the Classe away! Compared to the Krell (I played them both back-to-back in my living room), the Classe sounded small, pinched and anemic. And dealing with a foreign boutique audio manufacturer was terrible - the first time I got my amp back there were screws rattling around loose in the box from the bottom plate - they hadn't even screwed it back on fully! So I sold that turkey, and now I'm sticking with established, reputable US-based firms with long reputations for rock-solid reliability. On one occasion it was damaged in shipping and neither UPS or Classe would take responsibility, so I was out $400 for a new faceplate. Since it had to come back from out of the country in this post 9/11 world there were long delays at the US border. It was not fun packing and shipping that 120 lb. It turns out I had skipped a really important consideration in shopping for one of these massive power amps: reliability and service. Within another 12 months it broke again and my system was down for another lengthy period. After a year it broke down and had to go back to the factory and was gone about 8 weeks. Drove my tough Aerial 10T's effortlessly. Not 'solid-state sounding' - very relaxed presentation.