ease of setup and use, great sound quality, non-onscreen adjustments

infamous 2-second pause before CD begins to play; repair downtime rendered the purchase regrettable.

Well, I remember reading the warnings from other owners, but I figured that would never happen to me. Classe has a lot of people saying nice things about them. But God help you if you have to send yours back to them for repair.

That's what happened to me. I had my Classe SSP-25 in-home for a couple of months, when the front two channels started to intermittantly disappear when switching between audio modes. No getting them back unless I switched off the unit for a while and prayed they would be there again after the unit cooled. Try pulling that off calmly while all your invited guests are waiting for their long-awaited demonstration.

So the unit goes back to the dealer, who in turn ships it to Classe in Canada, arriving there on February 16. Today my calendar says April, and I'm still waiting for them to repair it and send it back to its owner. Ambrosia, my retailer, will give a courtesy call to them upon my prodding, but it has been one long waiting game for me while my home entertainment system remains blown apart from its center.

If I had it to do over again, I'd definitely save myself the anguish and look elsewhere; perhaps a manufacturer with a better customer service history.

As for the unit; I think I remember liking it as I was getting familiar with it, but my surround speakers have been silent for a long time now, and I've kinda forgotten what it's like to have surround sound in my living room.

This piece is very good with music reproduction. This unit has incredible depth from one end of the listening range to the other.
The analogue by-pass is a must for any serious listener.

Only 1 ToSlink input on the digital side. This unit is not set-up to take the new audio formats as they evolve, whatever they maybe.

From the time I brought this unit home I new this was the one. After several months of shopping around and listening to Rotel, and others, this was taken as a "well I'll give it a whirl. Thanks to a very patient dealer, I was able to try this unit directly next to a Rotel RSP 985 both in the store and in my listening room for several weeks. The Rotel was much better equipped with features and stuff like that but really lacked the musical depth and warmth delivered by the Classe.

While in the store we spent several hours putting this unit through a series of tests along side a very high-end unit in the McIntosh MX132. The Classe did not have quite the sound stage that the McIntosh did but it was right in there with the sound quality and warmth, this from a unit at less than half the price.

Classe has paid particular attention to detail when it comes to music reproduction. Any audio enthusiast will appreciate the audio by-pass in the analogue mode allowing for unprocessed sound. This is particularly evident when used with high-end transport systems or processing introduced by MP3 audio files delivered by a PC.

The red-on-red display is actually quite nice and can be removed during operation from the remote control. Speaking of the remote control…wow! The thing is built like a tank. The only issue with this is that it is not a multifunction remote and will only control the operation of the SSP-25.

If you’re looking for great sound reproduction with two channel or 5.1 you have to give this unit a whirl. For the price it is simply phenomenal! It performs right up there with units priced much higher.
From the time I brought this unit home I new this was the one. After several months of shopping around and listening to Rotel, and others, this was taken as a "well I'll give it a whirl. Thanks to a very patient dealer, I was able to try this unit directly next to a Rotel RSP 985 both in the store and in my listening room. The Rotel was much better equipped with features and stuff like that but really lacked the musical depth and warmth delivered by the Classe.

While in the store we spent several hours putting this unit through a series of tests along side a very high-end unit in the McIntosh MX132. The Classe did not have quite the sound stage that the McIntosh did but it was right in there with the sound quality and warmth, this from a unit at less than half the price.

Classe has paid particular attention to detail when it comes to music reproduction. Any audio enthusiast will appreciate the audio by-pass in the analogue mode allowing for unprocessed sound. This is particularly evident when used with high-end transport systems or processing introduced by MP3 audio files delivered by a PC.

The red-on-red display is actually quite nice and can be removed during operation from the remote control. Speaking of the remote control…wow! The thing is built like a tank. The only issue with this is that it is not a multifunction remote and will only control the operation of the SSP-25.

If you’re looking for great sound reproduction with two channel or 5.1 you have to give this unit a whirl. For the price it is simply phenomenal! It performs right up there with units priced much higher.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Rotel RSP-985.

build quality,SOUND,EASY TO USE!!!!!

no upgrade for future formats

I have access to several hi- end products ,and have listened to each one in several different setups.For the most part each one having its own strenghts and weaknesses.However,the one with the best sound and build quality is the one I want.With that criteria ,I chose the Classe.THe sound for movies is very detailed and dynamic,yet never bright or offensive.Furthermore,there is a analog bypass mode for stereo listening and no tv on screen display that can degrade the sound.If what your looking for is smooth detailed sound and pure stereo you need not look any further .I got it cheap,but even for the regular price it is a steal.

Similar Products Used:

BK REF20,Krell,AVP

build quality,SOUND,EASY TO USE!!!!!

no upgrade for future formats

I have access to several hi- end products ,and have listened to each one in several different setups.For the most part each one having its own strenghts and weaknesses.However,the one with the best sound and build quality is the one I want.With that criteria ,I chose the Classe.THe sound for movies is very detailed and dynamic,yet never bright or offensive.Furthermore,there is a analog bypass mode for stereo listening and no tv on screen display that can degrade the sound.If what your looking for is smooth detailed sound and pure stereo you need not look any further .I got it cheap,but even for the regular price it is a steal.

Similar Products Used:

BK REF20,Krell,AVP

Again a follow-up after 3 months, every day that I take the time to listen to this gentle giant, is another day I grow more fund of it...By now I've heard DTS and AC-3 aplenty. The DTS experience is extremely real WOW!! I highly recommend the Eagles DVD live concert.
Lethal Weapon 4 is a must filled with details and minute effects all details were on it. in DTS gives you a choice of DTS MUSIC or DTS CINEMA, trhough my exicting system I preffer the DTS MUSIC it sound a little more present, the DTS CINEMA setting rolls-off a little bit off the top and it is excellent for movies alright!.
There is no equalization for movies with over-bright soundtracks I switched my Sunfire Cinema Grand for the Aragon for the L - R channels and that took care of the extra brightness of some tracks.
Well friends, this is the piece that this man will keep for a long . . .long time.
Best combination of Processor / Preamp heard at the price(and more than the price).
2 channel music still my favorite source, hands down the finest under $6,000.
Highly recommended

Good Luck

Build quality, Sound detail. The ability to connect both digital as well as analog inputs to the same source and choose between them. Balanced audio inputs.

The diplay can't be read standing above the unit. RED!!

I rescently purchased the SSP25 to replace my Adcom GTP600. My intent was to upgrade to DD/DTS. In addition, I wanted to upgrade the overall quality of 2 channel stereo. To be breif and put it simply, adding this piece was like buying an entirely new system. The first and most dramatic difference I noticed was detail,detail,detail. Not only was this evident in DVD (DD/DTS over Surround)( that was expected),but two channel stereo came alive. Even my wife, who would be just as happy listening to an AM transister radio, noticed a dramatic difference. The SSp25 is built like a tank. Words can't describe this piece. If you are looking to upgrade your entire system, check out the SSP25. You won't be disappointed. It is one piece that you will notice a bang for your buck.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GTP600

Resently puchased this piece after many hours of listening. See a longer review along with the CAV-150 amp that is also new. After a month both sound wonderful and have worked flawlessly in daily use. Easy to use and set-up. Definitely worth a listen if your in the market.

Two channel stereo is outstanding.

Display somewhat difficult to see from more than 10'. Remote is heavy and not programmable.

Thanks to some very cooperative dealers, I was able to demo all of the above in my home system (Aerial Acoustic speakers, Velodyne sub, Aragon amplifiers, Sony DVD and CD players, Mits VCR) for a period of 3 days to 2 weeks. All of these performed very well in movie modes (DD ProLogic, DD 5.1, DTS); although, I did develop a preference for the Classe SSP-25 #1 and the B&K Ref 20 #2 when watching movies. BUT when it comes to two channel stereo, IT IS NO CONTEST, the Classe blew them all away. If you have any interest in two channel, the Classe is a definite must. It is well worth the additional cost above the Acurus and the B&K.

Similar Products Used:

B&K Ref 20, Sunfire Theatre Grand, EAD Encore, Accurus

Simply to use, great sounding preamp

Service apres vente

To follow up on my previous review:

Juts like Michael Colwell, I am experiencing a long delay while trying to use the built-in D/A converter to listen to CD's through a digital input. Most interesting, I was promised by John Russell, even before purchasing the unit, a replacement D/A chip for my SSP-25. Needless to say I have never seen it and I highly doubt I will ever especially after the saga of the persistent noise I am hearing through my speakers.

Classe claims that my SSP-25 works in “accordance” to the specs. I have proven to myself by using one of their preamp CP-35 that the noise level was not as present in balanced mode while feeding my SimAudio Celeste 4150se.
Scenario: One buys supposedly great audio from high-end audio retailer and high-end audio manufacture but will not necessarily get the same level of service. Bottom line I am stuck with the hiss (from my Martin Logans at 8” from my listening position) even with a $6000.00 CND preamp/power combo.

Don't you love high-end audio?

Bernard Durand

Similar Products Used:

I suppose

Clean sound, Circle surround is a very nice "5 channel stereo" mode, heavy duty remote,

Can't adjust individual crossover settings for different speakers, red-on-red display sometimes hard to see

I got the ssp-25 for a pretty goof price. Before that I was using Denon AVR-4800 (but I used it only as a preamp, with ATI 1506 amp). After switching to ssp-25, sound improved a lot. I didnt expect such a huge jump in sound clarity. Dialogs in movies are so much clearer! But, then I stumble upon a problem - when I put DTS DVD in it, I heard loud "pops" coming out of speakers and sometime sound disappear for a few seconds. As it turned out, DTS board was bad. I just dont understand, how a supposedly hi-fi company such as Classe can send a obviously non - working unit to dealer? Do they test them at all before shipping??
I also was quite frustrated by the delay when switching layers and such - it was quite noticeble and annoying: even H/K7000 and Denon receivers had no problem locking on a signal in less than a second... Previous reviewer said it's the transport problem.. No, it is not. After calling dealer, I decided to go with Theta Casa Nova instead (even though at $1000 more). I got it a few days ago and sent my ssp-25 back. Theta has much more options to configure any possible configuration available. Everything works perfectly and those sound delays are gone - it locks on sound almost instantly. I'm in heaven :)

My equip:
Pioneer DV525 DVD player
Theta Casa Nova
ATI 1506 6-ch amp
Harmonic technology silver cables
Sony WEGA 32"
Panamax 1000+ power conditioner

Similar Products Used:

Denon AVR-4800, H/K-7000, Theta Casa Nova