Classe Audio CAV-500 5-Channel Home Theater Amplifier - Uncompromising 250W x 5
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Classe Audio CAV-500 5-Channel Home Theater Amplifier - Uncompromising 250W x 5
SkyFi 479
479 South Broad Street
Glen Rock NJ 07452
United States
Most home theater amplifiers suffer from a series of compromises in both design and execution.
You see, stuffing 5 channels into a single chassis doesn't usually turn out well. Most suffer from overheating due to limited space and airflow. Fans just add to the problem by slowly filling the amp and critical components with dust and dirt. Plus even if you clean them, the fans will typically end up failing or making too much noise.
These's also the issue of sharing a single power supply with so many channels. If you look closely at the specs, most amps are not able to deliver the full rated power to all channels at the same time.
This Classe piece is one of the few exceptions we've seen come through the shop. It features a super high-quality chassis, very roomy, with all the components well placed. The heatsinks are massive just like you would find in a two channel amp. The power supply is gigantic and there have been no compromises in component selection and design.
The only issue I see that that all this results in a 140 lb box. If you can manage the weight you will be pleased with the results and reliability.
Due to size and weight this will need to ship freight for a flat $375 within the lower 48 US States. If you're outside of this area please contact us for a quote as we also ship worldwide. Plus we have courier options if you're within about 50 miles of our shop (Zip 07452).
Condition is super clean with little signs of use.
Tested and working perfectly both in our lab and long term testing rig.
Ownership:
Single Owner
Connections:
RCA and XLR inputs. 5 way speaker binding posts. Removable power cord.
General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean
Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top.. See our detailed rating description here.
Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.
Included:
Unit, manual, and power cord.
Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing
Specs:
Power output: 250 watts per channel into 8Ω (5 channels)
Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Total harmonic distortion: 0.004%
Input sensitivity: 1.6V
Speaker load impedance: 4Ω (minimum)
Dimensions:
18.98" x 23.23" x 9.45" (482 x 590 x 240mm)
Weight:
140 lbs.
Link to Manual:
Click Here
Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best
Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better
Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best
Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better
Kimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best
Kimber Summit Series BiFocal XL Bi-Wire Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best If Applicable
Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better
Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best
Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.
If the amplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a controlled power on sequence using a Sencore safety analyzer to monitor current draw in real time. Once the amplifier is determined to be safe to operate, we connect it to full AC mains for function and power testing. We connect the speaker outputs of the amplifier to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1KHz test signal at the amplifier’s input and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping. At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. If the device under test has both balanced and single ended inputs they are both tested at this time. We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1KHz square wave check and a 20Hz to 20KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier’s frequency response characteristics. This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.
Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.
If the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.
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