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Classe SSP-800 - Time to move on?

I'm looking for some advice...

I've been a happy owner of a Classe ssp-800 for the past 8 years.   Its been a terrific unit and I've found it to be a very musical.  Initially I focused on buying a high in audiophile processor that could also function reasonably well as a 2 channel preamp as it made a lot of financial sense at the time.

Since then my system has grown and changed a lot and I now have a dedicated Ayre preamp in the chain for my 2 channel listening which works great.

So my question is with all of the new home theater audio formats(and 4k) coming out and with room correction built in to a lot of processors now does it make sense to move on?   I've been specifically looking at the Anthem AVM 60, but am open to suggestions.   The whole idea of room correction sounds really good to me.

I would love to hear from some of you previous Classe SSP 800 owners to see if you had any remorse after selling your processor. 

Thanks




rshad0000
ulmerc
4 posts
 
I have an ssp-800 with a Levinson 433 and 2x 431 amps in my HT. Stereo listening makes me warm and fuzzy but admittedly, from the HT standpoint I’ve looked high and low for a replacement and it’s all because of U4K video resolutions. From a purely sonic standpoint I couldn’t part with the Classe. In the end, I ended up with an outboard HDMI switcher, Crestron HD-MD6X2-4K-E 6x2.  They do have smaller ones.  I couldn’t be happier with the decision. In a perfect world, I’d forego golden convergence (audio, video and IP networking) for discrete components but manufacturers don’t seems to want to embrace such an old school line of thinking. The challenges of delay can be a real pain but where there’s a will there’s a way.
rshad0000 OP
265 posts
 
Thanks Ulmerc.  I decided to stick with my Classe SSP800 at least for the time being.   As I move toward a 4k player(oppo205) and a 4K projector, I'll definitely look in to the Crestron switcher you mentioned.
jh901
67 posts
 
I only have a single source in my home theater (Panny UB900), which sits next to my projector and has dual-outs. I run a very short HDMI to the projector and a long HDMI run carrying only the audio to my Pre-pro. I suppose most people have at least another source, such as cable/Sat.

Anyhow, I'm going to try out the minimalist audiophile route by replacing my Marantz AV7005 with a Cary Audio Cinema 12. No auto set-up. No EQ. No Atmos. I have acoustic treatment, such as bass traps. I'm highly confident the sound of the Cary will be far, far better than my old Marantz even when running Audyssey (I hope!), but I do wonder if the 8802A, for example, would beat it.

I could see trying the SSP 800 at some point if I'm pleased with the Cary. I've gathered that it is the king.
btw22
80 posts
 
Jh901,
Careful with the Cary. Their cinema series are full of bugs galore. A buddy and I both had the 11 before the Classe and it was dreadful. Cary never even acknowledged the fact when I spoke to them and I’ve read the same about the 12.

Just saying....
jdeaton0622
7 posts
 

I won’t be moving on anytime soon. My Chinese made HDMI 1.4 spec SSP 800 and CA-5300 were purchased used in January 2015 for roughly half their new list price. So, I have only 3 years of service. The sound quality for both music and movies is everything I hoped it would be.

Patrick Butler of B&W Group NA has made it quite clear the current SSP 800 will never be updated to HDMI 2.0 or any object-based surround sound formats.

My SSP has been very reliable and stable especially with the latest 3.1.0 firmware released in October of 2016. The CA 5300 did require a round trip to Lachine for repair, but considering I was not the original owner, I was surprised and extremely pleased when Classé covered the fix under warranty.

A 7.1 surround system is as far as I plan to take my media room. The prospect of adding overhead speakers in my finished sheetrock ceiling is too unpleasant to consider. Also, until projectors can do a better job of projecting HDR, I will stick with my 1080 JVC. Even if I were to move to 4K, I would split the HDMI signal with an HD Furry or some such device if need be and continue using the Classé SSP.
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