I've listened to the Classe CDP-.5 extensively at the store, but haven't brought a copy home to audition yet because I'm still almost a year away from buying a new cd player. This player sounded great on a wide variety of music. I'd go so far as to say that I thought it was the best player I've heard under $3,000. No, it's not the Meridian 208.24 (which, if I can scrape the cash together, would be my first choice), but it's pretty close. I liked the Classe CDP-.5 much more than the players I've heard from Rotel and Marantz. I even liked it better than the Krell. But it does make you wonder why there have been such widely ranging reviews of this player. Difference in taste? Or perhaps there's a quality control problem at Classe and Mike, Scott, and Jim (who reviewed the .5 and didn't like it) listened to problem machines. I have the Classe CAP-100 and have no problems with it. Well, we all gotta go with what we hear. I heard a great CD player when I heard the CDP-.5 -- five stars

This cd player, coupled with a Classe ca150 amp, as well asa 45 preamp, is an out of this world set-up. However, it is
ideal for classical music. If, however, you like rock or in
your face sound, go somewhere else like krell. Classe
has outdone itself with this latest creation.

Your average Classe' product. Warm, smooth and relaxed ... to the point of sounding bland. Not offensive but not involving either. Weak in dynamic expression and mediocre pace and rhythm. In short, a boring cd player. Perfect for lullabies but otherwise do not cut it for most kinds of music that demand more excitement and vitality.

This is a great product. Sound stage is prefectand tonal characteristics are extraordinary.
Try it and see for yourself.

This is a follow-up to my review of the Classe CDP-.5 which was posted at this site on October 7. I have had the CDP-.5 for a month now. Following the full recommended 300 hour burn-in period, where I had the unit run on repeat day and night, I found the overall sonic presentation to be a bit smoother and image more spacious and deep than before. I put the CDP-.5 through its paces with a wide range of CDs. Some of my less than perfect CDs which sounded thin and metallic in the past were to my great surprise more pleasant to listen to on the Classe. In contrast, some were a little worse though not unlistenable. My Classe dealer said (and I agreed after careful comparisons) that my previous CD player was actually more forgiving of the shortcomings in some of my recordings. With my better quality and finest recordings, the performance of the CDP-.5 was state-of-the-art. Again, to the naysayers who have criticised the performance of the CDP-.5 at this website I had the opportunity to compare the CDP-.5 alongside the excellent Naim 3.1 CD player, which is in the same price category as the Classe. The CDP-.5 held its own against the Naim, even sounding slightly more detailed. No mass market sound there. Because of the highly detailed and revealing nature of the CDP-.5, it must be mated with the finest possible associated components, accessories and recordings. Enough said.

I have had this player for about four months now, and I must say that it is excellent. And it keeps getting better as the hours add up. No, it's not the greatest CD player in the world, but I don't think you can find a better one for under $2000. The Classe' CDP .5 has unsurpassed build quality. It also has a machined aluminum remote. On first look, the transport looks and sounds cheap. However, if you closely examine it, it is of very high quality (Phillips' best!) and is well engineered. The transport is a bit noisy, fast, and appears abrupt, but it really is a good one. It is also used on the flagship CDP 1.
Sonically, the CDP .5 is smooth, warm, and very detailed (yes, they can co-exist). Imaging and soundstaging is excellent, with instruments pinpointed. With lesser players (like the Rega, NAD, Marantz, Rotel, and Adcom units) the intruments can wander. Not so with this player. There is also alot more information that you pick up.

I compared the Classe' CDP .5 to the above mentioned players and felt it was vastly superior. I also compared the .5 to the .3. The lower parts quality was evident in the sound. Linn Mimik was nice, but the .5 was better. The .5s closest competition (according to price) was the Meridian 506.20. But the Classe was more satisfying. Everything seemed cleaner, clearer, smoother, and there was just more of everything.

I also compared the .5 to the Meridian 508.24, the Mark Levinson one box, the Krell KAV 300cd, the Audio Research, the flagship Sony, and the Classe' CDP 1. These players, with the exception of dated and overrated Sony and the cold sounding Krell (which gave me listener fatigue in about 10 minutes), were better by a miniscule margin. The Meridian and the Levinson were slightly more neutral (and sterile) by comparison, and did present a bit more information. However, for twice the price (Now that the Merdian has climbed from $3000 to $4000 in less than 6 months!) no player was significantly better (at least to my ears on my system) than the .5. The Audio Research had slightly more pleasing tonal characteristics, but not not enough to warrant $1500. The Classe CDP 1 improved on the .5, but not that much. Also, for $3500, I think one would be better to look at the Audio Research.

For $2000, you have a terrific sounding player that has world class build quality. Your next major jump up in overall quality is...wait, I don't think there IS a major jump up in overall quality. Diminishing returns kick in very fast, especially with CD players. For the price, you can't find a better sounding and certainly not a better looking or built CD player!

This is a great player and well built. The sound is detailed, smooth, dark, andbest of all, alive. It is not grainy nor does it fatigue the ears. One of
the best players I have heard at around 2000.00. Listen and I am sure you
will also be convinced.

It's obvious that Jim, Scott and Mike are idiots. This is really an excellent CD player and could NEVER deserve a 1 speaker rating. If they don't like the value ratio or some other complaint they should at least give it a 3 for the great sound. I on the other hand have heard this player versus the Krell 300 and I think the Classe sounds better.

It seems strange that all well received mid-priced audio gear thens to get rubbished by a few, witness the Sumiko BPS, Classe CDP 0.5 etc. My first CD player was a Marantz CD 63 SE, which I auditioned alongside the KI Signature. Great as it is for it's price (I still have it somewhere), the Classe beats it sonically hands down. The most obvious difference is the 'weight' of the sound. The Classe sounds much more 'weighty' and closer to a live symphony orchestra. I could go on in detail, but to cut it short, the Classe simply is in a different league.
As for value for money, well I paid US$1250 for mine, which in my book is reasonable for the satisfaction I get from it. Having heard much more expensive gear from Forsell, Mark Levinson, Wadia etc, I have to admit it's not quite the ultimate, but then again neither is the price.
Well worth auditioning, 4 out of 5, 5 being the ultimate.

Bought the Classe CD .5 player a few months ago -- it has exceeded my expectation. I use it with Classe's CAP-80 integrated amp and a pair of Totem Mani-2's. Highly recommended.