Long Time Coming

By Scott Wilkinson • Posted: Jul 6, 2009

I've been waiting a long time for the SSP-800 surround preamp/processor from Classé. Originally announced in May 2008 and scheduled for delivery in July of that year, this Canadian company's statement pre/pro is finally about to ship.

The ins and outs are plentiful, including four HDMI ins and two outs—all version 1.3b—which lets you feed, say, a projector for serious movie watching and a flat panel for more casual viewing. Other video connections include two component ins and one out as well as several lesser inputs. On the audio side, there are eight digital ins and two outs evenly split between coax and optical, a 7.1-channel analog input, two balanced ins for the high-end 2-channel folks, and two additional unbalanced L/R ins. To top it all off, there are no less than ten analog-audio outputs, available as balanced and unbalanced, which can be configured to drive multiple subs, biamp the front speakers, or supply audio to a remote zone.

Classé's philosophy regarding video processing is minimalist—the SSP-800 transcodes all analog video inputs to HDMI (and component for displays without HDMI), but it does no scaling or deinterlacing, reflecting the company's belief that these functions are best performed elsewhere in the signal chain. Audio processing is handled by a Texas Instruments chipset operating with 64-bit, floating-point precision, which assures greater arithmetic accuracy than lesser DSPs. I was shocked to learn that the initial release cannot decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD, though this capability will be added in the next month or two free of charge to all owners. Interestingly, it will require a new DSP module in addition to a firmware update, both of which are said to be easily installed by end users.

The front-panel display is actually a touchscreen interface that can also show the selected video input, even HD sources. In addition, the onscreen display is sent from all outputs, including HDMI. Custom installers will appreciate the SSP-800's bidirectional RS-232 port, rear-panel IR jacks, front-panel IR transmitter/receiver, and DC triggers.

I haven't heard the SSP-800 yet, but I've read one early evaluation from a reviewer I trust who raved about it—in fact, he called it an $8000 bargain. Designed to excel at both music and movies, the SSP-800 seems sure to please audiophiles and cinemavens alike.

Comments

Submitted by Inmatured New born baby on July 7, 2009 - 11:43pm.

Oh! This one can be described as a baby who was born two months before the due. Even you've got one, you are advised to put it in ICU.

Submitted by Richard the realist on July 8, 2009 - 3:29pm.

The SSP-800 appears to do half of what the Anthem AVM-50 does for only twice the price.

Submitted by Hugues Ouimet on July 9, 2009 - 1:49pm.

i believe that i know where you did read that evaluation, but you have to understand french, according to that reviewer the Classé SSP-800 analog section is vastly superior to the one of his Anthem D2 processor. Am i right?

Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on July 17, 2009 - 2:01pm.

No, it was in English...Robert Harley in the latest TAS. I used to work with Robert, and I trust his ears completely.

Submitted by Donnie on July 22, 2009 - 6:49pm.

Not going to please any cinamavens I know with a PALTRY 4 HDMI inputs!

Submitted by Scott Soloway on July 27, 2009 - 1:07pm.

The SSP800 has in fact been shipping since Aug ust of 2008. Who told you it was just starting to ship now?

Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on July 27, 2009 - 2:43pm.

Scott, Classe's PR company gave me this info, and I had no reason to doubt it. I'll look into it further...

Submitted by Scott Wilkinson on July 27, 2009 - 2:46pm.

Donnie, I wouldn't call 4 HDMI inputs paltry, but neither is it extravagant.

Submitted by Donnie on July 27, 2009 - 6:48pm.

Scott, at $8000 I'm afraid I and many I know including both installers and videophiles would call 4 HDMI inputs paltry. A cable/sat box + good upsampling dvd player + blu-ray player + Xbox360/PS3 + Appletv, or ipod dock, or streaming movie service, or, oh wait we were full after the gaming machine. 6 inputs should be the minimum offered on a high end pre-pro.Unfortunately many don't offer this many and that is a shame.

Submitted by Scott Soloway on July 29, 2009 - 2:36pm.

I suspect the the confusion over availability may be because in a month or so the SSP-800 should finally be shipping with the board that enables TRUE HD and Master Audio processing.

Submitted by KahunaCanuck on August 2, 2009 - 11:41pm.

Well, if you understand Classe isn't including any video upscaling, then add a DVDO Edge or something like it to your system, the 4 HDMI inputs is not a big deal. I would much rather have the reduced jitter and superior sound and use the Edge for upscaling (which can be easily upgraded)than have everything built in and reduced sound quality. Although I don't have the upgraded DSP board (which I will have installed for free), I have been enjoying Blurays through my Denon 3800 and unbelievably detailed sound through the SSP 800. I await a full review, but know what the outcome will be...cheers!