Statman
Well-known member
I just want to mention that I have been very impressed so far with the 2 channel performance of this Preamp/processor. I had briefly spent around 5 hours at a dealer to try and get an idea of how it sounded with both CD's and Blu ray discs. Based on that audition I ended up ordering one from a different dealer after the original wouldn't settle on my offer to him out the door. I am rediscovering my CD collection again! The unit is still breaking in and began sounding better ( soundstage opening up with both width and front to back depth) after listening to it for two days so far. I had read all of the reports about how good it sounded in 2 channel, it is not hype at all!
The unit is/was not cheap and I believe this sets a new record for me as far as buying a more expensive preamp than what my Audio Research LS25 MKII had cost. Oh by the way I sold the AR and my Denon 3808 to buy the Classe SSP-800. Some of you are probably saying what, you sold your AR LS25 MKII? To be honest I do not miss it at all. I have been in the process of finally turning my system into a high end multi channel system anyway. There were some minor tradeoffs as far as sound comparisons. The AR has a slightly wider soundstage and has a bit more sweetness and air in the mids than the Classe does but not by much.The Audio Research also uses two 6H30 tubes which really helps in the presentation. The SSP-800 is so quiet it's eerie. It has an amazing amount of detail retrieval but is not harsh or bright when listening to music. I started to play several BD to demo the system.
If you have not heard what the new codecs, Dolby Tru HD or DTS HD master audio discs sound like on a good system prepared to be amazed at how far we've advanced in this very short time. I thought that I had been impressed with my Denon 3808 with movie/concert video playback but I've stepped up to another level now.I have read that the SSP-800 was designed by the head engineer that was employed at Madrigal when the Proceed AVP and later Mark Levinson No 40 were at the top of the HT food chain. It definitely shows that the gap is closing and some manufacturers are listening to our requests for musical processors.
The unit is/was not cheap and I believe this sets a new record for me as far as buying a more expensive preamp than what my Audio Research LS25 MKII had cost. Oh by the way I sold the AR and my Denon 3808 to buy the Classe SSP-800. Some of you are probably saying what, you sold your AR LS25 MKII? To be honest I do not miss it at all. I have been in the process of finally turning my system into a high end multi channel system anyway. There were some minor tradeoffs as far as sound comparisons. The AR has a slightly wider soundstage and has a bit more sweetness and air in the mids than the Classe does but not by much.The Audio Research also uses two 6H30 tubes which really helps in the presentation. The SSP-800 is so quiet it's eerie. It has an amazing amount of detail retrieval but is not harsh or bright when listening to music. I started to play several BD to demo the system.
If you have not heard what the new codecs, Dolby Tru HD or DTS HD master audio discs sound like on a good system prepared to be amazed at how far we've advanced in this very short time. I thought that I had been impressed with my Denon 3808 with movie/concert video playback but I've stepped up to another level now.I have read that the SSP-800 was designed by the head engineer that was employed at Madrigal when the Proceed AVP and later Mark Levinson No 40 were at the top of the HT food chain. It definitely shows that the gap is closing and some manufacturers are listening to our requests for musical processors.
I absolutely love the unit.
