Classe's New CP-800 Pre-amp/DAC. Impressions?

Yes, they don't hide it, its marked all over the box and I belive its a good thing. With the reputation for quality that Classe is known for, there isn't anything to be concerned about. My unit is perfect! I would be more concerned if it was made in Europe than in China! Chinese know how to assemble electronics, lets face it. It is purely Classe designed and I am sure that parts are sourced throughout the world. If it was made in Canada or the USA, it would probably retail for over twice its price. This unit is a bargin in relation to its perfromance. Apple is an excellent example of Chinese sourced products.

All I can compare this to was the PS Audio PWD, and in my opinion this is far better sounding, it is in a different league. It added an octive of bass that my speakers never had before and this is running it with NO EQ or tone controls. In fact you can disengage them totally if you wish to. I rarely use them but when I do it is for poor recordings to start with. Don't take my word, bring one home for an audition. It is well worth your effort and time. I am pleased beyond my expectations and now the six months that I waited for it were worth every minute.

12 volt

Thank you for your response. Do you (or anyone you know) have any experience in drag racing the DAC section of the CP-800 with DACS like the Berkeley Alpha DAC, Weiss DAC 202, ARC DAC 8, Playback Designs or DCS DACs?

Also what preamps in your opinion is the CP-800 preamp section comparable to?

No, only the Wyred 4 Sound dac. A friend of mine that owns the Wyred for Sound dacII and he feels that the CP800 dac is a rival and does sound a little more natural, not as hard sounding. As far as the other DACs you mentioned I haven't had any experience with them, only the PS Audio PWD and this (CP800) is far better sounding, not even close IMO. This preamp sounds better than the former pre's I have had in my system, not to mention the flexibility of this unit. I have had in recent years the Cary SLP98, McIntosh 220 and the Audio Research ls-17 which was my favorite before the CP800. Cp 800 is very open and has excellent low end extension, quite freaky when I think of the other fairly good preamp's I have had. It's in a different league.

You keep positioning the CP-800 as a game changer, sound-wise, but in my experience with it in hours of listening I'm not buying it. I think the CP-800 is very good sounding, but so are a lot of other electronics lately. I didn't hear anything special.

Where *I do* think the CP-800 is a game-changer is in functionality. A great two-channel analog preamp with DACs for music servers, bass management, digital equalization, and a great user interface blows away most other high-end solid-state equipment. Frankly, I think it makes old-fashioned line-level preamps look sort of silly.

I agree that funtionality is paramount with this unit and going forward its connectivity, and applications are many. As I mentioned previously, I only compared it's sound with the previous units that I have owned and know well. There are many products on the market that probably sound as good as this unit, or even better sounding, but this is all subjective and it's to each individuals preference. What make more importance is that you audition products in your system. I have made a few purchases that I regretted by not audititoning them in MY system. I do agree that many line level preamps are limited in their funtionality and I am enjoying the fetures that don't seem to impact the overall sound, or at least what I know in my system.