CA-2300 vs. ???
 

Hi

I wonder if any here are using the CA-2300, and if so, did you compare it to other amps before purchase?

I have a CP-800 and am thinking the CA-2300 might make a nice addition to the system.

((( P.S. Editing doesn't let me change the icon of the post. the "thumbs down" icon was a mistake -- I clicked on that instead of "?". )))

Know nothing about Classe' (and many other things ;)), but am wondering why you put a thumbs down in the title block for your post?

Is that Mt. Hood in your avatar? Beautiful country in the Pacific NW.

I have a CA 2300 and love it. I previously had a rotel so it's definitely a step up from there.

I listened to some McIntosh options but I like the sound of classe better...YMMV so give it a listen for yourself.

Thanks for asking about the icon. I see now what happened . . . my reading glasses are in for repair, and with my impaired eyesight, it looked like a question mark to me. If you squint, maybe you can see it.

The avatar is Mt. Hood, taken from the shore of Trillium Lake. I took the photo last summer when we were up there rambling around.

@akfaulkner -- thanks for the comment! Fan noise not been a problem? My room is very, very quiet.

That's a good question. I notice the fan when I turn in on and off but other than that I do not. I also have the CA 2300 in a salamander cabinet between the speakers so maybe that helps me not notice the sound....

I own the CA-2300 and upgraded from the CA-2200 and the step up was huge and my B&W802D2 greatly benefited with the change. I compared originally to the Bryston 4BSST and Ayres V1XE and preferred the CA-2300 which was more dynamic, smoother vocals. The bass and treble was superior as well.

I have owned for almost 3 years now and have no complaints. Do not be concerned at all about fan noise as you cannot hear it except at start up and the fan will vary speed based on the temperature of the amplifier. I have mine in a cabinet and you would expect the fan to run at higher speeds however this is only the case if I am cranking music for very extended sessions 1 plus hours and even at higher speeds you cannot hear it unless you go directly up to the amplifier.

Hi Mike-48,

Great question about fan noise, so I thought I would pop in. A mastering studio local to me (Soundmirror in MA) uses CT-M600s for their front LCR channels. They specialize in Classical music pretty much exclusively, and tend to master at lower volume levels. The amps are located next to the speakers, and in their very quiet room you never hear the fans when listening.

Regards,

Patrick Butler
B&W Group North America

I use a pair of CA-M300 and have never heard any fan noise from the listening position. The only time I hear a short & very quiet fan noise is when switching to run and before switching from run to the standby position after playing loudly. Fan noise is not an issue with Classe.

Thanks to all who responded about the fan noise! Background noise is a pet peeve of mine, so I'm glad to hear it is inaudible with this amp. Since my room is quieter than some mastering studios I've visited, this is really critical for me.