sources may bypass all analog-to-digital, DSP
and digital-to-analog stages.Alternatively, the
full range of processing capabilities including
bass management and parametric equalization
is available for both analog and digital sources.
The SSP-800 changes the game by doing what
no preamp/processor has done before: it performs
as well with music as a dedicated stereo DAC
and preamplifier.The secret of its breathtaking
performance lies not in some new parts or special
features, although it has many. What sets the SSP-
800 apart is the depth of experience never before
brought to bear on a multichannel design.
MUSIC FIRST
Modern source components are increasingly
optimized for use with digital interconnections
and the SSP-800 capitalizes on this trend. Older
surround processors are typically equipped with
a vast array of analog inputs.These have been
minimized in the SSP-800 and largely replaced by
digital connectors. Four HDMI 1.3a (High Defini-
tion Multimedia Interface) inputs for audio/video
sources are supplemented by standard SPDIF
(coax) and EIAJ (optical) digital inputs for audio.
HDMI is the connection standard adopted for
high definition A/V sources. An HDMI cable may
carry 1080p HD video signals and uncompressed
multichannel LPCM digital audio as well as the
latest HD audio codecs (DolbyTrueHD and DTS-HD
Master Audio) and certain control signals. Several
versions of HDMI have been introduced, each
surpassing the other in bandwidth and support
for additional features.While the hardware used
to transmit and receive on HDMI may be labeled
by its version number (the SSP-800 uses version
1.3a for all HDMI inputs and outputs), there will
be differences among products’ actual capabilities.
The SSP-800 uses HDMI 1.3a primarily to support
the component’s long life in an evolving market.
As new sources emerge, the SSP-800offers the
potential for transferring more information into
and through its circuitry.For example, the video
signal path supports 36-bit Deep Color video,even
though Blu-ray Discs are only 24-bit video sources.
In general, the bandwidth of components and
circuitry in the SSP-800 is sufficient to accom-
modate all current and proposed next-generation
AV sources.
Music listening remains the most reliable method
of judging sound quality.In fact, no surround
processor can accurately reproduce movie sound
if it fails to reproduce music properly. At Classé, our
first priority is developing components that perform
exceptionally well with music.We then turn our
attention to processor decoding capabilities and
developing features that enhance flexibility and
in-room performance.
With musical performance as its benchmark, the
SSP-800 was conceived as a high-performance
multichannel preamplifier. For two-channel
listening both balanced and single-ended analog
Analog to Digital
Touchscreen Control
AND MORE
REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS
Classé Delta series components were the first
A/V products to offer touchscreen control. Since
then, touchscreen control has become an integral
benefit for other consumer electronics products.
Touchscreen control is morereliable and infinitely
more flexible than the older style controls using
push-buttons with fixed-segment displays.
The SSP-800 is custom installation friendly.
It is equipped with bi-directional RS-232
control and status, rear panelIR, front panel IR
transmitter/receiver, CAN BUS and DC triggers.
In addition to quality and technology, the SSP-800
has flexibility built in. Its ten-channel design cre-
ates the possibility of configuring two channels
for additional subwoofers or as mirrors of the front
left and right channels for bi-amplifying the front
left and right speakers.Alternatively, these two
channels may be devoted to delivering audio to
a separate room or system, with source selection
shared with the main theater and either fixed or
variable output.
Five-band parametric equalization is provided for
each of the ten channels to help tune the system
to its environment. Classé has elected to offer
the system EQ as a manual feature.While several
automated systems are available on the market,
the complexity of room acoustics guarantees
that no automatic system can achieve consistent,
Bring
Performances
to
Life...
optimum results. Our experienceis that the best
results are obtained by combining measurements
with human judgment.The filters used in the EQ
are rendered accurately by our processor, which
uses floating point arithmetic operating in 64-bit
double-precision.
The wealth of knowledge applied to the SSP-800
design and the inspiration for its execution do not
come from a textbook—they come from the pas-
sion and dedication of those who have spent their
lives in the pursuit of higher performance.Classé
presents the SSP-800—the definitive preamp/pro-
cessor—for those who share our singular passion
for performance.
Digital Signal Processing is built onto a
replaceable module.
A custom designed low-noise toroidal
transformer is used for the analog
circuitry’s linear power supply.
DC regulation for the analog supply is
located near the front channel outputs on
the right side of the chassis.
An independent low-voltage,high-current
supply powers digital circuits.
