[b00mcl1ck]

Currently in the market for a power amp, have PMC FB1 & DB1's

Once of these has come up at a reasonable price, anyone used one and have experience of the sonic signature?

Music Movies balance propbaly 50/50 but owrking on the theory that if music is on the money movies will be fine I'm propbably looking at 80/20.

Thanks

[b00mcl1ck]

17 views & no opinions, how avout if we broaden it to any of the CAV range or Classe in general for that matter.

[spiver]

Although I have never owned a Classe amp they have a solid reputation for producing high quality amps and I can't imagine that you would be dissapointed. The current Classe range is drop dead gorgeous. But it aint cheap!

[b00mcl1ck]

Thanks for your input Spiver. You are right, the new models do look great but they are expensive. I am only interested in this older model as the price is comparable to a Parasound A52 or P1000.

I think you can get a better response if you go to forums over the pond as Classe is a canadian brand and I think there would be a few over there who would have heard it. AVS forums may have a few people who have heard this amp and the classe cav 150 also comes up more often for sale in the audiogon forums. The amp is 3 generations removed from the current line up when b&w hadn't taken over Classe so there may not be many people here who have heard it.

[b00mcl1ck]

Thanks thaiav

[gizlaroc]

I owned the Classe CAV-180, a superb amp!!
I went from a CinePro 3K6 to it and it was just as dynamic, a little clearer and very warm sounding with music.

What sort of price you seen the 150 for? I sold my 180 for £1500 to give you an idea.

[b00mcl1ck]

Thanks for the input Giz,

I have taken the plunge with an option to return if I am not happy. Price seems comparable. Although this is only 150 watts it has six channels whic is perfect for me.

Out of interest what processor and speakers did you drive yours with?

[gizlaroc]

I went back to a Meridian 568.2 with it and it was sublime, extremely detailed but very smooth, alomost liquidy if that makes sense?

I would get another definitely.

[b00mcl1ck]

I have an EAD Theatremaster Pro 8800. Its always a challenge when you have kit which is not mainstream and want to audition possiblities. Particularly somewhere out of the way like Cornwall.

Not sure what the sonic signature of a Meridian is so don't know how that compares. EAD's are on the warm side of neutral.

In any case it'll be here soon, so I will know first hand ;-). Just need to get some audio cables to go between processor & amp (Mark Grant). And some longer speaker cable (don't know yet ;-)

Thanks for your input

[gizlaroc]

The Meridian, well the 568.2 anyway, is also on the warm side of neutral, I have heard the EAD and liked the sound alot, not many I do like, hate Tag, hate the Arcam, hate the new Meridians and new Lexicons (even though I am using the old MC1 again and love that) and liek the Proceed and Brystons etc.

If you like that sort of sound you will like the Classé. Enjoy!

[b00mcl1ck]

Giz,

'Almost Liquidy' sums it up perfectly. Dance music is a little well behaved for my liking but its worth the hit for gains in other areas, acoustic music sounds fantastic.

Also you can have loud with cinema without the fatigue and the great separation keeps voices clear at all levels.

Its a keeper ;-)

Thanks for you input.

[gizlaroc]

Yeah it is awesome.

I actually love it with dance too, grab a couple of Electrik Press tracks and turn it up loud, very loud, you may just change your mind!!