Classe CAP-2100 review

A lovely object and a splendid amplifier, the CAP-2100 is a gregarious and eloquent communicator Tested at £3950.00

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

A lovely object and a splendid amplifier, the CAP-2100 is a gregarious and eloquent communicator

Pros

  • +

    Monolithic build, fancy-pants interface

  • +

    fleet, precise and musical sound

Cons

  • -

    Unspectacular specification

  • -

    could carry more weight at the bottom end

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

The only integrated amp in Canadian manufacturer Classe's range borrows from the circuitry of the company's CP-500 preamplifier and CA-2100 power amplifier, and shoehorns the lot into the curvaceous, bombproof casework that is part of the firm's signature.

Consequently, the CAP-2100 is a luxuriously finished and hefty device – no harm in warming your muscles before you hoist it onto your kitrack.

Speed, agility and control

Like other Classe products, the CAP-2100 uses a handsome set of customisable menus via a touch-screen that's a fraction less responsive than you'd like.

The on-paper spec is nothing special – power is 100 watts per channel at 8 ohms, and three line-level inputs (one upgradeable to a MM/MC phono stage), a tape loop, and a pair of balanced inputs alongside a preamp out is the bare minimum at this price.

Yet where it counts, the CAP-2100 sounds well worth the outlay. Whether you're listening to Mark Ronson or Mahalia Jackson, the Classe delivers a fast, detailed sound with an exciting amount of insight into the midrange, especially vocalists.

The soundstage is large and sharply focused, and tonality is beautifully judged. Some might hanker after a little bass to go with the spectacular speed, but with thoughtful system matching the CAP-2100 is capable great things.

What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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