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Official Classe SSP-800 thread. - Page 39

post #1141 of 5441
4/1/09 at 10:25pm
It's a shame that there always seems to be so much bickering about the SSP-800 with regard to not having an automated EQ system on board. The bottom line for me, and without going into all of the sound measurement arguments and science that many people belabor in these threads...is that it sounds great. To my ears, it is the most natural sounding pre-amp/pre-pro that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in my own system.

I am waiting for Classe to fix the handshake issue I'm having with the HD cable box, but other than that, I am totally happy with my purchase. It's also the first piece of equipment that I have owned, (and I've owned some great pieces in my day) where I view it as an actual musical instrument. It sounds that good in my system. Best of all, is that I have no desires to upgrade anything at this point because I feel something is missing, which is very rare for me.

When researching the SSP-800, I was initially worried that it was going to be too revealing, and would make poor recordings (of which there are many) sound like total crap. After doing some extensive auditions at my dealer, and now living with it for a number of months in my own system, I'm very happy to say that many of the poor recordings actually sound very good. Even my iPod sounds good through the SSP-800, and I thought it didn't sound very good through my CP-500 pre-amp by comparison.

The SSP-800 is a great pre-amp for 2 channel listening. But, what really surprised me, was how absolutely spectacular it sounds while watching Blu-Ray movies. It is just totally dynamic beyond what I have ever heard or imagined before. This was a surprise to me after reading about how it wouldn't sound that great until it got the on-board decoder. I'm not sure if it will sound better with the decoder board, but I can't even imagine how it could, as it sounds that great already. The first time that I watched a Blu-Ray movie, I was actually shocked by how incredible it sounded.

I think people get too hung up on specs and gizmos sometimes, and forget to just trust their own ears. I already have my SSP-800, so I don't really care if anyone else buys one or not. I also don't care if anyone agrees with my selection or not. But, what I will say, is that if you can't just open your mind and your ears to sit down and really listen to this great musical instrument, then I truly feel sorry that you will miss out on experiencing something wonderful in life.
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post #1142 of 5441
4/1/09 at 10:47pm
Well said benden1. So much of what you wrote lines up with my experience with the SSP-800 that it is uncanny.

I would also like to reinforce a point that I made earlier. Until I owned the SSP-800, I was very skeptical of high end electronics. I have owned and auditioned several other high-end prepros and amps, and frankly they just didn't strike me as offering much of an improvement in sound quality over the mid-fi AVRs I owned prior to the Classe.
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post #1143 of 5441
4/2/09 at 12:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beden1 View Post

It's a shame that there always seems to be so much bickering about the SSP-800 with regard to not having an automated EQ system on board. The bottom line for me, and without going into all of the sound measurement arguments and science that many people belabor in these threads...is that it sounds great. To my ears, it is the most natural sounding pre-amp/pre-pro that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in my own system.

~


what other av pre-pro have you had the pleasure of experiencing in your system ? it would be worth pointing to some comparisons you might have done with those vs the ssp800 in yoru own system. As that might be worthwhile reading to other people who might have it in consideration

Have you utilised the manual PEQ in the ssp800 either yourself or using a pro installer ? to then comment on its use and results vs say other auto eq system in another av pre-pro to optimise the system for your room. Again I think that is what might be of some value to anyone wondering of its worth and topic of discussion here that I can see.
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post #1144 of 5441
4/2/09 at 2:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beden1 View Post

The SSP-800 is a great pre-amp for 2 channel listening. But, what really surprised me, was how absolutely spectacular it sounds while watching Blu-Ray movies. It is just totally dynamic beyond what I have ever heard or imagined before. This was a surprise to me after reading about how it wouldn't sound that great until it got the on-board decoder. I'm not sure if it will sound better with the decoder board, but I can't even imagine how it could, as it sounds that great already. The first time that I watched a Blu-Ray movie, I was actually shocked by how incredible it sounded.

I have to agree there. Everytime I sit down to watch a Blu-Ray movie I'm blown away. Its like the first time. I would think it would be somewhat mundane at this point, as I've owned mine since last August, but its not. I sit down and I still get goosebumps on how immersive the sound is. My system dissappears and what is left is ethereal.

To point out a negative, I find I do have to give it some volume. At low levels the system tends to loose something. That is why I am hopeful for Dolby Volume to deliver. Of course, I have a dedicated room, so it is not normally an issue to blast it.
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post #1145 of 5441
4/2/09 at 6:14am
sikoniko, I have recently picked up on the need to raise volume levels to higher than normal to get the full beauty if this pre/pro. It's staggeringly good when you do so and I'll happily crank it up to get the goodies.

I've been most busy to post here but thought it time as an aside, I'd like to say that Classe has gone way out of their way to fix my issues and I could not be happier at this point. They actually came out with a patch that makes this puppy absolutely sing. Kudos to Tom M and all the Classe team for a job VERY well done!

The bass is back in a monstrous way and the surrounds are full again. Don't know what they did but things are sounding very, very good once again. Playing Resistance2 was heart attack and panic inducing, with the room just being energized with bass and dynamics. Very pleased with the SSP-800 as well as the hands on attention and support of this very "class A" company....
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post #1146 of 5441
4/2/09 at 7:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sikoniko View Post

I have to agree there. Everytime I sit down to watch a Blu-Ray movie I'm blown away. Its like the first time. I would think it would be somewhat mundane at this point, as I've owned mine since last August, but its not. I sit down and I still get goosebumps on how immersive the sound is. My system dissappears and what is left is ethereal.

To point out a negative, I find I do have to give it some volume. At low levels the system tends to loose something. That is why I am hopeful for Dolby Volume to deliver. Of course, I have a dedicated room, so it is not normally an issue to blast it.

For HT with Blu-Ray or DVD, my sound is full and dynamic at lower to medium volume levels. I did boost my center channel a couple of notches, but that was to level the audible difference due to having larger amps driving my L/R fronts. You may be hearing what some were trying to pinpoint while listening to their SSP-800 in the early stages, as a lack of distortion that may equate to lower volume out-put. This "clean" output may be creating a perception to boost the volume?

Sometimes while watching HT, I get the impression that my surrounds are not carrying their weight, and then a passage comes in where they pop to life, and I'm amazed by the channel separation.

Face it Sikoniko, you need to up your game in the power department. Just kidding, but I do really love my CAM-350s.
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post #1147 of 5441
4/2/09 at 7:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alebonau View Post

what other av pre-pro have you had the pleasure of experiencing in your system ? it would be worth pointing to some comparisons you might have done with those vs the ssp800 in yoru own system. As that might be worthwhile reading to other people who might have it in consideration

Have you utilised the manual PEQ in the ssp800 either yourself or using a pro installer ? to then comment on its use and results vs say other auto eq system in another av pre-pro to optimise the system for your room. Again I think that is what might be of some value to anyone wondering of its worth and topic of discussion here that I can see.

I had the opportunity to demo two systems in my house including the Marantz and the Anthem before deciding on the SSP-800. I did not demo the Denon AVP because nobody had one to demo, and I'm not one to buy something without listening first. I also listened to the Integra with other speakers at a dealer's listening room.

My primary concern was for stereo capabilities, and if I couldn't get one unit to provide the sound I preferred with my CP-500, then I was going to stick with my Pioneer Elite 82TXS and CP-500 combo. The Pioneer Elite, I thought at the time, did a very good job overall with HT. Suffice to say that I got the stereo capabilties I wanted in the SSP-800, over the other units that I demo-ed. What I have experienced since, is that the SSP-800 is also a spectacular unit for HT.

I did not try out the manual EQ as yet, since I wanted to first experience what my system sounds like without it, and whether or not I found a need to have the system calibrated. I also wanted to give the unit a chance to settle in for a time. Right now, I don't feel it is needed since I don't seem to be wanting for any other sound at this point. Just for the sake of experimentation, I do plan to have my SSP-800 professionally calibrated, whenever I get the time.
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post #1148 of 5441
4/2/09 at 8:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by owl1 View Post

sikoniko, I have recently picked up on the need to raise volume levels to higher than normal to get the full beauty if this pre/pro. It's staggeringly good when you do so and I'll happily crank it up to get the goodies.

I've been most busy to post here but thought it time as an aside, I'd like to say that Classe has gone way out of their way to fix my issues and I could not be happier at this point. They actually came out with a patch that makes this puppy absolutely sing. Kudos to Tom M and all the Classe team for a job VERY well done!

The bass is back in a monstrous way and the surrounds are full again. Don't know what they did but things are sounding very, very good once again. Playing Resistance2 was heart attack and panic inducing, with the room just being energized with bass and dynamics. Very pleased with the SSP-800 as well as the hands on attention and support of this very "class A" company....

excellent news!
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post #1149 of 5441
4/2/09 at 8:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beden1 View Post

Face it Sikoniko, you need to up your game in the power department. Just kidding, but I do really love my CAM-350s.

not in the cards. my wife got laid off last month and she is 22 weeks pregnant. what I have now will have to suffice.
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post #1150 of 5441
4/2/09 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sikoniko View Post

not in the cards. my wife got laid off last month and she is 22 weeks pregnant. what I have now will have to suffice.

Sorry to hear about your wife losing her job. There is a lot of that going around today, unfortunately.

Good news about expecting the arrival of another family member. My kids (twins boy and girl) are now 21 and in college, but when they were in the oven, I used to play a lot of music like the Beatles, etc. Both of them are fans of the 60's and 70's music today.
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post #1151 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by beden1 View Post

Sorry to hear about your wife losing her job. There is a lot of that going around today, unfortunately.

Good news about expecting the arrival of another family member. My kids (twins boy and girl) are now 21 and in college, but when they were in the oven, I used to play a lot of music like the Beatles, etc. Both of them are fans of the 60's and 70's music today.

thanks, they make these lullaby's for baby's now which is slowed down elevator music. We've already bought the one based on the beatles. The wife doesn't want me to get 'Tool' though. I'm gonna have to slip it in.
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post #1152 of 5441
4/2/09 at 3:44pm
Quote:


As the system began to break-in,

I should note that Classe specifically states in the user's manual that there is a 300 hour break-in period for the SSP-800.

Think what you want, it has become obvious that the SSP-800 owners will not listen to anything but what they think.
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post #1153 of 5441
4/2/09 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

Think what you want, it has become obvious that the SSP-800 owners will not listen to anything but what they think.

When I was a child I used to love Sesame Street. One of my favorite skits was the two monsters. One of them would talk to the other saying "you've got a banana in your ear". The other one would eventually say "I can't hear you, I've got a banana in my ear".
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post #1154 of 5441
4/2/09 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

Think what you want, it has become obvious that the SSP-800 owners will not listen to anything but what they think.

As someone lurking on a lot of the threads here trying to figure out what pre/pro is best for me, I have a couple of questions. WTF is the point of your post? Does it contribute in some technical manner or provide insight into the SSP-800?

You're obviously just trying to stir things up...typical troll behavior...very pathetic.
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post #1155 of 5441
4/2/09 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

Think what you want, it has become obvious that the SSP-800 owners will not listen to anything but what they think.

GO. AWAY. AND NEVER. COME. BACK. You are an unhappy person, and YOU are the one unwilling to even entertain the notion that something expensive could sound better. So again, go get in your Geo Metro (so much better than a Mercedes or an Audi), go listen to your Yamaha receiver (sooo much better than Classe. It decodes True HD and DTS HD MA!!!!!), and just be at peace with the wonderful life you've carved out for yourself and what suckers we are.....
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post #1156 of 5441
4/2/09 at 6:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by beden1 View Post

It's a shame that there always seems to be so much bickering about the SSP-800 with regard to not having an automated EQ system on board. The bottom line for me, and without going into all of the sound measurement arguments and science that many people belabor in these threads...is that it sounds great. To my ears, it is the most natural sounding pre-amp/pre-pro that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing in my own system.

I am waiting for Classe to fix the handshake issue I'm having with the HD cable box, but other than that, I am totally happy with my purchase. It's also the first piece of equipment that I have owned, (and I've owned some great pieces in my day) where I view it as an actual musical instrument. It sounds that good in my system. Best of all, is that I have no desires to upgrade anything at this point because I feel something is missing, which is very rare for me.

When researching the SSP-800, I was initially worried that it was going to be too revealing, and would make poor recordings (of which there are many) sound like total crap. After doing some extensive auditions at my dealer, and now living with it for a number of months in my own system, I'm very happy to say that many of the poor recordings actually sound very good. Even my iPod sounds good through the SSP-800, and I thought it didn't sound very good through my CP-500 pre-amp by comparison.

The SSP-800 is a great pre-amp for 2 channel listening. But, what really surprised me, was how absolutely spectacular it sounds while watching Blu-Ray movies. It is just totally dynamic beyond what I have ever heard or imagined before. This was a surprise to me after reading about how it wouldn't sound that great until it got the on-board decoder. I'm not sure if it will sound better with the decoder board, but I can't even imagine how it could, as it sounds that great already. The first time that I watched a Blu-Ray movie, I was actually shocked by how incredible it sounded.

I think people get too hung up on specs and gizmos sometimes, and forget to just trust their own ears. I already have my SSP-800, so I don't really care if anyone else buys one or not. I also don't care if anyone agrees with my selection or not. But, what I will say, is that if you can't just open your mind and your ears to sit down and really listen to this great musical instrument, then I truly feel sorry that you will miss out on experiencing something wonderful in life.

Wonderfully said! What I and my colleagues noticed was how much "throw away detail" we could now hear. Muttered asides and things happening on the periphery were now intelligible. And the sense of space is unlike anything I've heard from any A/V product. And again, nice point about people harping on stupid details and missing the boat on a good sounding A/V preamp.....whose primary job is to sound good!
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post #1157 of 5441
4/2/09 at 8:29pm
Quote:
Does it contribute in some technical manner or provide insight into the SSP-800?

Break in is all snake oil, how can anyone still take "break in" seriously?
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post #1158 of 5441
4/2/09 at 8:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sikoniko View Post

not in the cards. my wife got laid off last month and she is 22 weeks pregnant. what I have now will have to suffice.

Congratulations sikoniko. A child brings much joy into our lives, especially in dire times such as these. I too have another on the way, we are roughly 23 weeks in at this point, so I know both your excitement, and your pain lol (they sure are tough, the wife that is!).

Enjoy my man!
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post #1159 of 5441
4/2/09 at 8:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by beden1 View Post

Sorry to hear about your wife losing her job. There is a lot of that going around today, unfortunately.

Good news about expecting the arrival of another family member. My kids (twins boy and girl) are now 21 and in college, but when they were in the oven, I used to play a lot of music like the Beatles, etc. Both of them are fans of the 60's and 70's music today.

Funny that you mention this. When the wife and I sit and listen to music, the baby truly enjoys it, as he (yes, we know the sex) cannot stop moving.
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post #1160 of 5441
4/2/09 at 8:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

Break in is all snake oil, how can anyone still take "break in" seriously?

Sometimes you make great points, and then you ruin it with inexplicable ones.

I can agree with some of the things you bring up, but in the end, this hobby is all about what brings joy to our ears, placebo or not. I myself fall into the "placebo" aspect of this hobby, and you know what? I don't care, because my ears (or my mind) like what they perceive (perception, yes, a subjective term).

I guess my point is, what do you get out of coming into threads, and criticizing people for their choices? Why is it so important to you?

I know I am just giving you the fuel that you seek, but I just don't get it.
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post #1161 of 5441
4/2/09 at 9:00pm
Quote:
I can agree with some of the things you bring up, but in the end, this hobby is all about what brings joy to our ears, placebo or not. I myself fall into the "placebo" aspect of this hobby, and you know what? I don't care, because my ears (or my mind) like what they perceive (perception, yes, a subjective term).

Too funny, so if someone were to say that their bose HTIB sounds better then the SSP-800 and your system you would not disagree with them?

Quote:
I guess my point is, what do you get out of coming into threads, and criticizing people for their choices? Why is it so important to you?

I came in here when wrong posts were made in favour of the SSP-800, all I do is post the correct information.
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post #1162 of 5441
4/2/09 at 9:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

Too funny, so if someone were to say that their bose HTIB sounds better then the SSP-800 and your system you would not disagree with them?

It is their opinion, why should I care? Now, if they said it was a better overall system, than I can point to factual data as to why I felt otherwise, from a structural and design point of view.

Quote:


I came in here when wrong posts were made in favour of the SSP-800, all I do is post the correct information.

Why?

EDIT: If I recall, the posts were subjective.
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post #1163 of 5441
4/2/09 at 9:53pm
Quote:


It is their opinion, why should I care? Now, if they said it was a better overall system, than I can point to factual data as to why I felt otherwise, from a structural and design point of view.

But you stated you are not interested in factual data and if someone thinks their bose system sounds better then your SSP-800 system you can not tell them otherwise.

Quote:


EDIT: If I recall, the posts were subjective.

So you did not read anything about the DAC discussion?
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post #1164 of 5441
4/2/09 at 9:53pm
IMHO, break-in is neither placebo nor fiction. But I don't think the product's sound is changing during the break-in period. Rather, it is an acclimation of the human to the system. It takes quite a long time to tune into the suble details of sound. When something is changed in the system, we need to listen for a while to sense the subtleties. I think manufacturers recommend break-in as a means to say give yourself time to live with the product and learn to appreciate the full range of its performance.
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post #1165 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

But you stated you are not interested in factual data and if someone thinks their bose system sounds better then your SSP-800 system you can not tell them otherwise.

Where did you get that from? You made a comment about "Bose sounding better". How can I disagree with what sounds better to them? If they made the comment after hearing my system, and the Classe, who am I to tell them they are wrong? They like what they like.

When I commented in regards to factual data, was in the instance of rewording your "example".

To avoid confusion, you presented me with a situation in which the Bose owner commented on how they perceived the sonical traits of their system, with mine, or the Classe.

I presented you with a situation where if they commented on the physics aspect of speaker design with literature, of calculated data


Quote:


So you did not read anything about the DAC discussion?

Vaguely, but as you are well aware, there is an argument for everything.

EDIT: Just wanted to say, that I am done, as I know where this is going to lead... no where.
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post #1166 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:17pm
Quote:


Where did you get that from?

"I can agree with some of the things you bring up, but in the end, this hobby is all about what brings joy to our ears, placebo or not. I myself fall into the "placebo" aspect of this hobby, and you know what? I don't care, because my ears (or my mind) like what they perceive (perception, yes, a subjective term)."

You said this.

Quote:


I presented you with a situation where if they commented on the physics aspect of speaker design with literature, of calculated data

And where does speaker design and placebo fit in together?
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post #1167 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Dressler View Post

IMHO, break-in is neither placebo nor fiction. But I don't think the product's sound is changing during the break-in period. Rather, it is an acclimation of the human to the system. It takes quite a long time to tune into the suble details of sound. When something is changed in the system, we need to listen for a while to sense the subtleties. I think manufacturers recommend break-in as a means to say give yourself time to live with the product and learn to appreciate the full range of its performance.

I was one who could not hold much water for the break-in theory. And, my thought was that it was the ears/brain that were getting used to the sound.

I hate to even step into this argument that has been beaten to death in this forum, but, I actually did experience a change in the sound of the SSP-800 after about 6 weeks of listening, and/or keeping the system playing in the background a minimum of 16 hours a day. The bass output improved to the point where I actually noticed the improvement, and even commented about it to my wife who could care less about things like this. In fact, I think her response was "where's the remote"!
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post #1168 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:36pm
If it changed that much then the measurement of the unit would change and classe should have pre and post break in specs.
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post #1169 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

"I can agree with some of the things you bring up, but in the end, this hobby is all about what brings joy to our ears, placebo or not. I myself fall into the "placebo" aspect of this hobby, and you know what? I don't care, because my ears (or my mind) like what they perceive (perception, yes, a subjective term)."

You said this.



And where does speaker design and placebo fit in together?

Ugh! It is like you just skip over anything that may throw a wrench in the points you are trying to make. I can imagine sitting in on a movie with you, just fast forwarding through the whole thing.

There is a difference between what one prefers, and what can be proven with data, but either way, you cannot tell someone what they PREFER is wrong, because it is just that, preference!
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post #1170 of 5441
4/2/09 at 10:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DougWinsor View Post

If it changed that much then the measurement of the unit would change and classe should have pre and post break in specs.

I don't hang my hat much on the specs, and only can comment on what I hear. I was pleased that the bass opened up, as before, I was thinking it was a bit shy. It was a noticeable improvement though, and I'm wondering why it occurred like a switch was turned on?

I wasn't, and had not been messing with the wires either!
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