Classé Debuts Preamp of the Future

RUR

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Classe press release today from CEDIA:

Atlanta, Georgia—September 23, 2010—Classé showed working prototypes of its new CP-800 Stereo Preamp/Processor at CEDIA Expo 2010. Said to be the first of a new generation of stereo preamplifiers designed to take full advantage of today’s high resolution digital sources, the CP-800 offers new digital processing features including optimal asynchronous USB and full support of Apple’s iPod®, iPhone® and iPad® range of products.

“Using proprietary technology, the CP-800 achieves more with less circuitry than any conventional preamp could,” said Dave Nauber, Executive VP, Brand Development for Classé. “The connection to the recording is now so direct and immediate, it’s like plugging into the mixing board and listening right there in the studio.”

In addition to accommodating legacy analog and digital sources, Classé announced that the CP-800 can also optimize playback from computer audio files and portable devices like iPods via USB using asynchronous techniques and proprietary clocking circuits. A storage device like an iPod or computer can contain all the data of the original recording, so it has the potential to be an audiophile source. The challenge is to clock that data into the D-to-A converters at precisely the right time, which the CP-800 achieves through newly-developed recovery and clocking technology.

“Using full resolution files and one of its USB inputs, the CP-800 can surpass the performance of conventional disc playback systems,” says Nauber. “When the innovative audio circuitry and power supply designs are factored in, the CP-800 becomes a ground-breaking new product with unmatched performance at an affordable price.”

A new power supply design optimizes the electrical environment for the audio circuitry inside the CP-800 and benefits associated equipment sharing the same AC power. PFC (Power Factor Correction) technology ensures the most efficient operation of the power supply while maintaining a constant load on the AC Mains. The benefit, according to Classé, is that the preamp/processor does not modulate the AC mains as would a conventional linear power supply without PFC. Other system components won’t even know it’s there.

In addition to superb performance as a digital-to-analog converter and stereo preamplifier, Classé says the CP-800 boasts features like bass management and parametric EQ that heretofore have been lacking in stereo preamps. There is a subwoofer output and two configurable auxiliary channels that can be used to drive additional subs, bi-amp the L&R channels or feed into another room.

Classé points out that a properly implemented subwoofer (or two) is at least as beneficial to stereo playback systems as it is to home theaters. Placing the Left and Right speakers for best stereo imaging rarely delivers ultimate bass response at the listening position, no matter how well those speakers can reproduce low frequencies. One or more subwoofers avoid this compromise. Parametric EQ enables further tweaking of the low frequency modes to achieve the best overall system performance. As with Classé SSPs, the subwoofer(s) may be configured for use with some inputs and not others or engaged with different crossover frequencies/slopes as desired.

An updated 16x9 touchscreen and graphical user interface give the CP-800 a fresh new look to match its advanced feature set. With both USB host and slave connections and a useful range of output configuration options, the CP-800 looks and works like the preamp of the future.

The CP-800 is expected to be available in December and will retail for under $6,000.

For additional information about Classé Audio visit www.classeaudio.com

Yet another in an interesting trend in 2ch preamps which include subwoofer management and either EQ or DRC, amongst other features.
 

rblnr

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
May 3, 2010
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This product makes perfect sense.
 

RUR

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
647
3
0
SoCal
Photo and a few more details in this Twice article.

 

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