Greetings!
Just a quick update for those keen to know, and the advise seeked from fellow experts and music lovers;
the CAV45 arrives tomorrow! Finally, something decent to listen to on the Quads.
I plan to use the CAV45 later on with the ML Ethos, rather than the Theos. Mainly due to the active bass drivers on the Ethos. Since bass is taken care of with a 200w Class D amp, all the CAV45 has to focus on is the panels, which I believe will work extremely well. I have always loved the sound and awesome midrange of the EL34, so when taxed less and allowed to drive just that, it should be more than adequate for the Ethos. The other factor is the Ethos pricing is very reasonable for what it delivers and still retails far less than the Quads.
With what has been said about the CLX's bass, if any of you can possibly listen to the CLX being driven with an outstanding tube preamp and the Pass Labs XA30.8 then you will know what I'm talking about and what Kostas is referring to. There are equally good ss Class A amplifiers out there but none that I have come across that are comparable to the superb Pass XA30.8. I have listened and tried other Pass amps on my Quads, they were all good in the areas of what they can do. However, the XA series takes this level of performance to a different league altogether. The way in which it can control and drive a pair of full range stats is just remarkable. I really wasn't expecting it to be much of anything compared to what I have experienced before, also having previously owned massive 400 watt tube monoblocks.
This simple and elegant 30w pure Class A amplifier beats everything I have ever listened to on any system to date! I have heard the Naim Statements (AUD$250k) driving Analysis ribbons and I thought those were the ultimate but again the XA30.8 puts this massive behemoth to shame...
What's more surprising was the price factor, it was nothing that I had expected, and I have paid so much more for tube amps, not even knowing that this kind of ss gear ever existed. The other Pass Labs amps are far more costly in Aus and they retail in the upper echelons of wealth but this new XA series of Class A is something too good to be true. I only hope that by the time I get to it, the price would still be reasonable. To have partnered the XA30.8 with my ACT2 would have been one hec of a combination. I could only compare it to the CJ Premier 350 but with more refinement and quality power. not so much of just brute force. The Premier 350 with the ACT2 was one killer combination of pre-power at its best that could drive any load but it was way overkill for the Quads, and doesn't require that kind of power nor can the Quads even handle that kind of level.
With very high SPL's and startling transients and superb dynamics that can out class even the best dynamic drivers, the CLX Art handles all these areas with ease. No strain on the panels whatsoever, it is just the performance right there in front of you, and once again I state this was all possible with just 30w of ss Class A! Listening to those massive systems with huge monoblocks, multiple driver arrays and massive towers with racks of amplification- simply makes me laugh.
As I said before, perhaps the CLX's is not everyone's cup of tea but when dialled in correctly with the "right" amplification, which is not an easy task to achieve, as far as my ears are concerned, this system still remains the best I have ever heard.
To those who love your panels of whatever brand they maybe, just sit back and enjoy your music, and don't change anything!
That's my humble advise, cheers RJ