I have a theory. I think the initial product launch(es) from many small high-end audio companies are much like a recording artist's debut release. Before they become known, they have all the time in the world to practice and refine and decide what they want to try and stand for in the marketplace, and generally make ready to be a hit sensation. Once the lights come on though, it immediately becomes a time crunched, resource challenged scramble to follow up with a sophomore effort that builds the brand (and expands sales).Why do I bring it up? Because, while the popular reviewing press continually promotes the idea that newer is necessarily better, the simple reality is sometimes different is just different, or, gasp... actually not as good. So, here's the thing..., the Classe Ten is a cosmetic makeover (and a direct circuit evolution) of the original Classe DR-10. The DR there stands for Dave Reich, who was the lead engineer that designed the topolgy utilized through all of the initial Classe products, dating all the way back to the original DR-3 (and DR-3VHC. One of my favorite amps ever : ). Those DR products represented a unique sound and value proposition which inarguably propelled Classe from a Canadian obscurity, and planted the company firmly on the high-end map. I'll say it outright then, and I don't think it's just nostalgia. Dollar for dollar, and watt for watt, it never seemed to this listener that the subsequent Sigma, Omega, Omicron, etc. models ever captured quite that same rich, nuanced, freewheeling sound of those based on the original DR circuits. In a time honored high-end script, as the company earned some positive reviews, gained notoriety, and added distribution, that became a license to build ever bigger, badder, more ambitious and more expensive gear. So the Ten isn't the most powerful, or the sexiest (and at a $2,000 original retail, nowhere near the most expensive), but it totally embodies what made Classe so successful in the first place... sensational sound and reliability without the need to take out a 2nd mortgage to pay for it. Addressing the few criticisms of the DR-10, it features improved impedance matching between the beefy power supply (huge high-current toroidal transformer and 80,000uF of storage capacitance) and the signal path circuitry, reduced voltage regulation in the input stage, and changes to the emitter resistor values in the output stage that resulted in taking a sound that some had called a bit too polite in the DR-10 and making it even more natural and dynamic. If I had to use one word, it's vivid. Is it strictly neutral and accurate? I don't know. Probably not. Is it fun and engaging to listen to? You betcha. The Ten utilizes 1% tolerance metal film resistors, and polystyrene and polypropylene capacitors in critical positions, including the same ultrasonic bypassing techniques in both the signal circuitry and power supply which trickled down from the higher models (with particular attention paid to emitter resistors and output devices). And as you can see in the pictures, build quality is absolutely first rate. For the listener who values the things it does supremely well, the Classe Ten can punch way above its weight as the heart of a musically revealing and rewarding system. It is an exceedingly high performance amplifier for the $. This Ten is operationally perfect. It has worked faultlessly and sounds stunning. Cosmetically I'd rate it a 7/10 overall. There are a number of scratches and scuffs on the top cover and the top upward facing edge of the front panel (see close-ups, which make it appear worse than it is to the eye in normal room lighting). The front panel itself is an easy 8+ though, including the handles. Note: the top cover is powder coated steel. I checked with a small local shop on re-powder coating it. The lead time to get it done was 2-3 weeks, but the cost was only $30 for labor and materials. So that might be a viable option if it bothers you, or depending on where it would be placed. I am happy to answer any questions you may have in order to make an informed decision. Asking $550 + shipping/PayPal (if applicable). I have a copy of the owner's manual. I do not have the original factory carton but have deep experience packing fragile items for shipping and safe arrival to the new owner. I will only ship within the continental U.S. to your registered PayPal address. Note: while I haven't listed anything here in some time, I do have extensive feedback on both U.S. Audiomart (same user ID) and Ebay (user ID = Mfectd_2007)
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