Integrated Dillema: Musical Fidelity vs Classé

[Andyroo1986]

Hi all,

Looking for your thoughts on an amp that I can't really demo. I have a pair of B&W 805 Diamonds, and I was hoping to get a Classé CAP-2100 to replace my Arcam A38, but after six months of waiting, none showed up. During that time, however, I learned about Musical Fidelity's M6500i, a 500w integrated that possessed good sonic capabilities and enough power to drive any future speaker upgrade (I'd love to end up with some 802 Diamonds).

After a demo, I was happy with the M6500i and I bought it a few weeks ago, but as fate would have it, a CAP-2100 has just appeared in the classifieds. The question is - do I take a risk on the integrated that was pretty much designed for my speakers, or do I stick with the M6500i? I really like the M6500i, except that I don't think it is as visually appealing as the Classé, the remote is shocking and doesn't even have a power button, and it gets pretty warm too. It's also very revealing, and any track recorded badly really stands out as being so.

Given that I can't demo the Classé (and I've not demoed any of the much more expensive separates), has anyone heard these two and have any thoughts they'd like to share?

Thanks for your help.

 

[flapland]

Classe is likely to keep its 2nd hand value more than the MF kit from what I have witnessed.

 

[bandit pilot]

I have found the MF power supplies to be a bit pants on all the amp's I've had of theirs. It might well state 500w, much as it does on some car audio gear, but I find them lacking when it comes to current delivery. Not heard the Classe, but that's where I would put my money.

 

[Andyroo1986]

Classe is likely to keep its 2nd hand value more than the MF kit from what I have witnessed.

I already own the MF and I'm not to fussed about residuals over sound quality.

I have found the MF power supplies to be a bit pants on all the amp's I've had of theirs. It might well state 500w, much as it does on some car audio gear, but I find them lacking when it comes to current delivery. Not heard the Classe, but that's where I would put my money.

The MF is quoted as 200 amps peak to peak and stable at 2 ohms, so I don't think that's a problem. I'm very impressed with its performance - I just don't know if the Classé will sound even better.

 

[AlanB]

No contest. Classe every time.

 

[Jazid]

I very much doubt any minor sonic improvements would be worth the risk. I personally think MF gear is well designed and reliable, the power amps are as good as any, the pre amps are a bit pants often. If you are happy and have no specific issue to address then don't bother. So saying, and like every other poster so far I have not heard the amps in question!

Sent from my GT-I5800 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gjm]

If you're happy with the MF, stick with it.

That said, I've never been entirely happy or been able to settle with any MF kit. It's always left me feeling I'm missing something. It didn't sound bad in any way, just not quite there, if you know what I mean. I've often been happier with other cheaper and less capable kit.

On that basis alone, I would go for the Classé. However, I have heard the 2100 and it sounded quite sweet, like a very 'happy' amplifier that was enjoying playing music. Very nice.

 

[thats_not_my_naim]

If you've got some 805's then the only option is a Classe amp ;-)

I recently sold my CAP 2100 which I used with some 805S's and Neat Ultimatums. Stunning amp both visually and sonically. The last bit of MF kit I had was an A5 Integrated and to be fair it was a very nice amp but not in the same league as the Classe although not sure how the 6500i compares.

If you're genuinely happy with the MF then if I was honestly in your position I'd probably stick with that however I'm sure you know how rare the 2100's are and you'll always be wondering 'what if?'

 

[Andyroo1986]

you'll always be wondering 'what if?'

That's just it, isn't it? I love the looks of the Classé, so even if it was sonically identical I'd happy. It's not going to be worse, is it!?

 

[gjm]

That's just it, isn't it? I love the looks of the Classé, so even if it was sonically identical I'd happy. It's not going to be worse, is it!?

Very unlikely.

What's the rest of your kit? (Go on - complete your profile!)

 

[Andyroo1986]

Done it. Like you say, there's something I'm not quite sure about with the MF - the way it treats some recordings. Well mastered ones are spot on, but quite a few are a tad sibilant, particularly at higher volumes (90db+).

Edit: Some people report the 800 series as being quite bright with an artificial peak from 4khz (if I recall correctly) and I believe the Classé stuff rolls off on the treble a little. It's almost like they were made for each other :doh:

 

[gjm]

Done it. Like you say, there's something I'm not quite sure about with the MF - the way it treats some recordings. Well mastered ones are spot on, but quite a few are a tad sibilant, particularly at higher volumes (90db+).

Really good recordings always almost sound good. It's my experience that a really good system somehow extracts the best from recordings that are less than perfect. The better the system, the better more music sounds. (I've quite a way to go!) MF kit is superb with good recordings, but is weaker with anything less.

You have a good system. Bluntly, and moving forward, I'd stick with the Sonos and B&Ws, get the Classé, change the rDac (but worry about that later).

 

[Andyroo1986]

I'm on it! I can't help but think that the M6500i would sound absolutely faultless with speakers with a flatter response, but I really like the looks of the 805Ds and would like to hold on to them (and they were voiced with Classé). I love the look of the Classé too - I know it shouldn't be a factor, but I like to enjoy looking at my kit as well as listening to it.

What do you recommend instead of the rDac? Classé don't make a DAC it seems. I also wouldn't want anything with interchangeable filters or I'd be fiddling with it until the knob fell off

 

[unclepuncle]

Cut to the chase - sell it all and get some vinyl, valves and horns.

 

[Andyroo1986]

Ha! I showed my girlfriend some McIntosh valve gear and she was struggling to be nice about it

I'm in enough doo-doo as it is when it comes to hi-fi

 

[gjm]

Cut to the chase - sell it all and get some vinyl, valves and horns.

Paul - you're just confusing things. Give the nice man a chance to get his feet wet before baptising him in the Wam waters! ;-)

I'm on it! I can't help but think that the M6500i would sound absolutely faultless with speakers with a flatter response, but I really like the looks of the 805Ds and would like to hold on to them (and they were voiced with Classé). I love the look of the Classé too - I know it shouldn't be a factor, but I like to enjoy looking at my kit as well as listening to it.What do you recommend instead of the rDac? Classé don't make a DAC it seems. I also wouldn't want anything with interchangeable filters or I'd be fiddling with it until the knob fell off

Sort the amp first. (I'm sorry - I do not intend to make it sound as though the MF is a bad amp - it isn't. It is just that the Classé is better in this instance.)

The DAC can wait for now. The MF will, in my experience, be intolerant of some changes while the Classé may surprise you. Change one thing at a time.

 

[Andyroo1986]

Well here's hoping the seller accepts my offer! Fingers crossed... :nerves:

 

[gjm]

Well here's hoping the seller accepts my offer! Fingers crossed... :nerves:

Good luck.

 

[Andyroo1986]

Thanks. I'm going to be gutted if I get it and it sounds terrible! :shock: