Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Classé Audio Fifteen Amplifier (SS) by audio39

Model:	Fifteen
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$2995
Description:	175 W/CH Power Amp
Manufacturer URL:	Classé Audio
Manufacturer URL:	Classé Audio

Review by audio39 ( A ) on September 03, 2003 at 10:48:36
IP Address: 216.94.129.143

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for the Fifteen

I'll start by listing other Classe amps I have owned - DR-15, DR-10, DR-9, Ten. I've also owned amplifiers of a number of other manufacturers including Aragon, Krell, Luxman and PS Audio.
My first impression of this amp was 'wow'. I really can't say enough about the pleasure I get from listening to this amp, or rather, the music it plays so well. I'm 3 months into owning this big fella and it's strengths are just so many. Bass, midrange, high frequencies, all clean and clear. The bass was the area that surprised me the most, as a former owner of a DR-15 I had been disappointed in this region previously. I'm told the only real change made to the Fifteen to update it from the DR-15 is some massaging at the output (this was apparently in response to poor reviews and that the amp hadn't been received overly well by the public), whatever they did it made a world of difference.
The Fifteen seems to take hold of the loudspeaker drivers in a fashion I haven't quite been accustomed to in the past, with my PSB Stratus Goldi's everything lights up just right whether playing rock, jazz, or anything else for that matter. Again, the bass is deep and tight but in no way overshadows any other area, it's just all there. When driving my former (sold to a friend) Acoustat Model 3's the soundstage is huge but well focused, the vocals are absolutely amazing, male or female, and regardless of speaker the absence of high frequency 'zing' is absolute.
Although I no longer have the other amps to compare directly to I will hazard a comparsion. The Fifteen is a refinement over the DR-15, to lift the lid gives no indication of change, but the sound is best described as tighter and more refined. Compared to the DR-9, all I can really say is that the 9 would sound smooth, less detailed side by side with a Fifteen, and the 9 would also be considered quite lean in the bass regions against the Fifteen.
Overall I'm obviously quite pleased with my purchase of this older amp. I had the financial resources to consider a new amp, but amplifiers is the one area that I just can't seem to justify new. Some of the best amps, IMO, were made during the 90's.

Product Weakness: Heats up my whole sound room.
Has got me wanting another.
Product Strengths: Bass is very deep and tight.
No high end sizzle.
Excellent driver control.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Classe Fifteen
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Luxman C-05
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Classe CDP.5
Speakers:	PSB Stratus Goldi
Cables/Interconnects:	Monster & Audioquest
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Rock, Jazz, Blues
Room Size (LxWxH):	26 x 15 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	UPS X 2
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Heats up my whole sound room. Has got me wanting another.
Product Strengths:	Bass is very deep and tight. No high end sizzle. Excellent driver control.