Best processor that is excellent for 2 Ch music

I feel duty bound to mention just how good the Classe SSP-30 Mark I is.Either running my Tom Evans Micro Plus thru the 5.1 input which gives you an analog bypass with no signal tapering,or using the digital out on my Denon DVD player and letting the excellent internal Dacs of the Classe process the signal this unit is capable of some seriously great sound.They are also bargin priced(with regard to retail)when they show up used on Audiogon.

1/28/06
I don't think anything in this price range will come close in 2 channel sound to a Linn AV 5103. These things retailed for over $8000 just three years ago when they were replaced by the Kristo (15k), but one can be had now for around $1500. It is an absurdly good deal. They were actually Linn’s reference preamp until the arrival of the Klimax Kontrol. One reason they are so cheep is that they do not do multichannel SACD processing. But this is not an issue if you are 2 channel only guy when it comes to music (like me).

If you buy one of these, make sure you get a later model (blue instead of green display) that has DTS. The only downside is that they are complicated beasts to set up. Ideally, get a Linn dealer to do it for you. It cost me only $30 to get this done. (I am sure you can figure it out if you like reading manuals and fooling around with things technical, it is just not my scene.) Also, some people have a very inflated idea of what these bring on the used market, but the reality is $1500 should buy one with DTS if you are even a little patient.

I'm supprised no one has mentioned Theta. I've used the Casablanca for 6-7 years and have just upgraded my original processor to the version III. I couldn't be happier. With the Extreme DACs the unit is really detailed but musical. You can find the original Casablancas for < $2000.00 and the version II's for < $3500.00. The Casablancas have a stereo pass through (although only for single ended inputs) and analog volume control.

Good Luck,

John

I'm in search of a similar unit. I need balanced outs, but what I'm wondering is if anyone has compared the analog bypass on any of the mentioned units. I have a nice DAC for 2 channel and would like to know which is best for use as a volume control.

sc

I'm in search of a similar unit. I need balanced outs, but what I'm wondering is if anyone has compared the analog bypass on any of the mentioned units. I have a nice DAC for 2 channel and would like to know which is best for use as a volume control.

sc