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This is a buyer’s market for this class of vintage Classé power amp, and US$1,750 lands a little below the US$1,878 median, well under the US$3,352 75th percentile, so it reads as a fair-to-good buy rather than a stretch. It is not a screaming bargain at the US$1,000 25th percentile, but the price is solid enough that a clean example should be on the short list.
What makes it appealing is the usual Classé recipe: strong current delivery, refined but authoritative sound, and the kind of build quality that tends to age better than most mass-market amps. If it’s truly well kept, the upside is in straightforward ownership rather than speculation; just confirm service history, channel balance, and that it runs quietly, since older high-power amps are only as good as their condition.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Classé Audio emerged from Canada in 1979, founded by music enthusiast Mike Viglas in partnership with engineer David Reich. Frustrated by unreliable high-end electronics during a demonstration, Viglas sought superior performance, leading to the company's debut product: the DR-2, a 25-watt-per-channel Class A stereo amplifier launched in 1980. This pure Class A design not only inspired the brand's name but also established its early reputation for open, natural sound and unwavering reliability, with headquarters just outside Montréal.
The brand specializes in high-performance electronics, excelling in amplifiers, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and processors for both music and home theater systems. Early models set the tone for authoritative power delivery, evolving into robust units delivering 250-300 watts per channel while maintaining sonic finesse. Classé has consistently prioritized no-compromise research and manufacturing, focusing on components that deliver theater-grade dynamics and musical precision without venturing into speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, Classé commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its Canadian heritage and build quality, once handcrafted in Quebec. Acquired by the B&W Group in 2001 and later by Sound United in 2018, it remains a benchmark for reliable, powerful electronics that prioritize longevity and uncolored reproduction, appealing to buyers seeking investment-grade hi-fi.
See all Classé listings on RADAR.
