SSP as 2-Channel Preamp With Sub???

My mistake, Srosenberg. I read SSP to mean Classe SSP 800, one of the processors reviewers suggest can serve well as the basis of a system used for stereo, multi-channel surround, and HT. I'm using a Cary Cinema 11a, another processor lauded for audio quality. I've been very satisfied with it for stereo, with both digital and vinyl. Well recorded DSD surround can be glorious. Try the Arts recording of Corelli violin sonatas for a treat.

db

At least one SSP has a crossover in the analog domain (in addition to digital), which will do what you want - the ADA Mach IV. There may be others.

If you purchase a Theta Casablanca you may not want to use your DAC anymore. The CB is known as one of the best, or the best, SSP for two channel audio as well. I would love to hear how a CB compares to W4S DAC if you get a CB. I am considering a used CB for music/HT or the Marantz AV7500 for HT and a W4S DAC 2 for music.

I’ve got a Theta Casablanca II with one of the 6 inputs set up in the Analog Direct mode. The Theta manual says “Since there is no surround processing in Analog Direct, the sub woofer, phantom center channel, and crossover effects are not available”. In the Analog Matrix mode, the manual says the signal routing is the same as for Analog Direct, but adds that the surround channels can be crossed over “creating a sub channel”, but the front left and right channels cannot be crossed over. In other words, if you’re running two channel Analog Matrix, the sub crossover effects are not available.

IMHO, I can’t imagine a straight up two channel stereo rig sounding better than the Casablanca.

Hooper,

The Casablanca's top of the line Xtreme cards are very good, but in my experience not competitive with the Perfect Wave DAC (I have both) for 2 channel. In fact, even the Marantz ud9004 sounds better analog over the Theta six shooter MCH preamp than using digital into the casblance using the Xtreme DACs. How the just released CBIII HD with HDMI stacks up we'll have to see.