2. digital
  3. 130325-58905

Classe SSP 800's DAC vs Oppo 105's DAC

Hello,
I am wondering which is a superior sounding DAC for listening to CD? The DAC in the Oppo 105 or the DAC in the Classe SSP 800 preamp processor? 

I have the Oppo 105 connected via Transparent Premium HDMI cable to my Classe SSP 800 in my dedicated home theater room. My power amps are : Classe CAM 600 monoblocks (pair) to power front speakers; Classe CAM 300 monoblock (single) to power a center speaker; Classe CA-5300 multi-channel amp to power the surround speakers. Doing 7.1 setup. 
My front speakers are B&W 800 D3, B&W HTM1 D3 center, B&W 804 D3 & 805 D3 used for surrounds. 

I'm using these gears strictly for home theater, bluray movies mostly but occasionally I wanted to spin some red book CD in this home theater room.
I do have a dedicated stereo setup in a separate dedicated 2ch listening room that consists of completely different equipments and speakers. And I use this 2ch room to listen to music (hi-rez PCM/DSD, SACD & CD. My 2ch equipments in this dedicated 2ch room are of much higher qualities than my Classe/B&W gears in my home theater room. 

So back to my dedicated home theater room setup....before I purchase a pair of xlr balanced analog interconnects to connect my Oppo 105 to my Classe SSP 800 I wanted to know which has superior sounding DAC for listening to CD, the DAC in the Oppo 105 or the DAC in the Classe SSP 800 preamp processor? So far I've only been using the Oppo 105 strictly as a bluray player for bluray disc playbacks only via HDMI to my Classe SSP 800. I never got to try the quality of the DAC in the Oppo 105.
Again this would be for occasional listening to cd.

Thanks in advance.


caphill
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,801 posts
 
I used to own all Classe Delta system, including SSP-800.  It was traded for a Krell Evolution 707 processor which in my opinion have a much better multi-ch / 2 ch analog sound among any processors currently available in the market.  

Unfortunately, high end Audio / Video processors are now dead or obsolete. Hang on to SSP-800 as long as you can :-)
caphill OP
680 posts
 
I've heard great things from other people about the Krell Evo 707 processor but it is much more expensive than the SSP 800 though. If I'm not mistaken I think it did retail for around $30k when purchased new. IMO for an AV pre pro costing that much it usually would perform really well in both 2ch and surrounds. 

I am planning to get a dolby atmos & dts-x equipped HT processor and am looking into Datasat or Theta Casablanca or perhaps the new Lyngdorf MP-50 processor that was recently introduced. I am also considering the Meridian Reference 861 v8 but will wait till Meridian releases the new modular board that will support dolby atmos, dts-x etc. Do you think the Krell Evo 707 will upgrade its audio & video boards to accommodate dolby atmos, dts-x etc in the near future? Is the Evo 707 still in production by any chance? Cause I couldn't find it on Krell website anymore and we don't have a single Krell dealer in our area. 
My local dealer sells Dan D'Agostino but not Krell any longer. They used to carry Krell in the past when Dan was still with Krell. It's where I purchased my Dan D'Agostino Momentum gears at. 



lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,801 posts
 
caphill,

The 707 is no longer in production. Like Classe, Krell has also moved to more value priced range since Dan’s departure. I seriously doubt if they upgrade the 707 with latest codec’s and 4K video board.

In my 7.1 setup, 707 sounds phenomenal. I honestly don’t feel the need for an audio upgrade as much visual upgrade. I am going to buy a 4K projector once prices are bit more competitive.

Thanks for sharing your picks on processors. You should also add Trinnov Altitude to your list.

Cheers!



caphill OP
680 posts
 
lalitk,
I did suspect so cause the Evo 707 is longer on the Krell website. The only HT processor currently offered by Krell is the Foundation. 
Eventually I want to go dolby atmos & dts-x setup in the near future but currently waiting for more processors that will support them. And when that happens I will need to add more multi-channel amp and of course speakers. 

Are you doing hybrid setup or do you have separate rooms and setup for each 2ch and home theater? What are the rest of your equipments and speakers? 

In regards to a 4K projector for your HT setup I would highly recommend Sony. 

todd666
1 posts
 
Classe is bringing out a new pre-amp at the start of 2018 it will be called delta ssp and will do all the new formats 
More to discover