Classé is Canada's leading maker of high-performance music and theatre components. Since building their first amplifier in 1980, passion and dedication have inspired the research that yields Classé's outstanding no-compromise electronics.
Classé components are developed by specialists covering a diverse array of disciplines, including analog and digital audio and video electronics, software, mechanical and industrial design. Classé's electronics are designed for music and movie lovers who appreciate beauty and elegance in all its forms. Classé's performance goals can be summed up in a single word: fidelity. Classé strives for simplicity of operation and a refined appearance for all Classé components.
In 2001, Classé became part of the B&W Group. The distribution, financial and organizational resources offered by this leading UK-based loudspeaker manufacturer have propelled Classé to the forefront of contemporary high-end audio design.
The CP-800 Stereo Preamp Processor combines the functionality of a conventional analog preamplifier with that of a multi-input DAC having digital processing features. The single-box approach eliminates unnecessary chassis, circuitry and cables, which reduces cost, shortens the signal path and preserves signal quality. The CP-800’s processing capabilities allow performance-enhancing features like parametric EQ, tone control and bass management to be accomplished in the digital domain, preserving the resolution of signals in a way not possible with conventional analog-based systems.
This new preamp/processor architecture is supported by numerous proprietary Classé technologies. The highest performance is achieved via the CP-800’s USB inputs. Asynchronous techniques are used for both computer-based sources (rear panel USB Device connector) and Apple® portable devices (front panel USB Host connector). Galvanic isolation and a technique we call Single-Clock-Substrate extend the advantages of our Asynchronous USB solution, lowering noise and reducing digital jitter to the lowest possible levels. The result is a breathtakingly direct and immediate sound—a crystal clear view into the soundstage—as if you were in the recording studio with your amplifiers plugged into the mixing board.
An entirely new design employs Zero Volt Switching in a Switch Mode Power Supply with Power Factor Correction to deliver performance and value on a scale never before offered in a high-end preamplifier.
The CT- SSP Surround Sound Processor:
There is a growing consensus among home theater enthusiasts and critics that the Classé SSP-800 is the world’s ultimate surround sound processor. The CT-SSP uses exactly the same circuitry as the SSP-800 and is identical in features, performance and price. The units differ in their outward appearance and chassis design, with the CT-SSP intended especially for equipment racks.
Like the SSP-800, the CT-SSP is a ten-channel preamp/processor, offering both balanced and single-ended connections for all channels. Using HDMI 1.4 the CT-SSP offers internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTSHD Master Audio sources. Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is handled by two Texas Instruments processors, each capable of up to a remarkable 2800 MIPS (Million Instructions per Second). The DSPs operate in 64-bit double precision and use floating point arithmetic for all audio signal calculations to ensure the most accurate results possible. All bass management filters, level adjustments and parametric filters also benefit from the added precision.
Throughout the SSP-800/CT-SSP there are examples of HD technology executed at the highest quality level. It is the combination of advanced technology and genuine quality that sets them apart. And while technology and quality give the SSPs their intrinsic value, we measure their true worth first on the test bench and then in the sound room.
The wealth of knowledge applied to the SSP-800/CT-SSP design and the inspiration for its execution do not come from a textbook—they come from the passion and dedication of those who have spent their lives in the pursuit of higher performance. Classé offers the SSP-800 and CT-SSP for those who share our singular passion for performance.
For those who invest in a Classé-based system, the entertainment experience can be truly breathtaking. Every Classé component is designed and built to last a lifetime; to engage and involve, long after its price is forgotten.
For the full range of Classé products, please visit the link below.
http://www.classeaudio.com