2. home-theater
  3. 136929-58905

Upgrade from Classe SSP 800 processor

Hey there,
I’ve been using the Classe SSP 800 in my dedicated home theater room for a while now and while its sound quality is spectacular I think it’s time for me to explore a new current processor that can decode new surround sound formats eg Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, Auro 3D, etc.
Any suggestions?

My SSP 800 has been used strictly for surround sound (home theater) as I do have a separate dedicated stereo setup and system in a separate two-channel listening room. So that said, the new processor will also be used strictly for home theater (surrounds).

My current home theater gears are the following :
* Oppo UDP 205.
* Sony 4k OLED tv (85").
* Classe SSP 800.
* Classe Delta CAM-600 monoblock amps to power my front LR speakers.
* Classe Delta CAM-300 monoblock amp (single) to power my center speaker.
* Classe Delta CA-2300 five-channel amp to power my surrounds.
* B&W 800 D3 front speakers.
* B&W 800 HTML1 D3 center speaker.
* B&W 804 D3 & 805 D3 for surrounds.
*JL Audio Gotham subwoofer.
* 2 of Audioquest Niagara 7000 power product.

I am going to start working on remodeling my dedicated HT room in order to accommodate additional overhead speakers for Atmos setup. And when I get a new processor I will also need to get additional multi-channel amps to power additional speakers necessary.
I might get rid of my B&W 804 D3 & 805 D3 surround speakers and get the B&W 800 D3 in-wall or on-wall speakers for surrounds instead. 

Any ideas as to what new av preamp processor to get? The one that’s capable of decoding Dolby Atmos & DTS-X. But I'm keeping all the Classe Delta series power amps and will need additional multi-channel amps to power additional overhead speakers etc possibly another Classe amps. 

Thanks in advance guys.

caphill
soix
10,477 posts
 
I heard the TaCT preamp in a private system about 18 years ago and what that relatively prehistoric room correction did for that $80k high-end stereo system was flat out amazing.  I also got to hear his system work on a system at a NYC show versus the same system without his room correction, and again, you'd have to be brain dead to not hear the incredible benefits of their room correction system.  Given the amount of time Lyngdorf has had to refine their craft and the review Doug gave their latest effort -- well. 

But at your level, I'd also think about giving my UDP-205 to Ric Schultz of Electronic Visionary Systems to see if you can't get more out of its HDMI out.  I'd be surprised if you don't get some meaningful benefit for relatively little outlay.  Anyway, let us know how it goes and best of luck!
rshad0000
271 posts
 
Caphill,  I’m big in to two channel as well so I have gryphon diablo 300 that I use in home theater by pass mode for the L/R(for two Chanel I have a aurender n10 I use with the gryphon).   For the center, surround speakers and left and right back I have a Krell theater amplifier standard that has always worked really well.  The front channel speakers are Focal Sopra 3s with the matching center.   Surrounds are all def tech inwalls.   Also have 2 JL audio f112 subs.   Sounds really good, but like you, I feel it’s time to move on.
caphill OP
680 posts
 
@rshad0000

So, are you also going to add overhead speakers for Dolby Atmos & DTS-X setup? Yes, while I love the SSP 800 as far as audio performance as it is a superb sounding pre pro but it's time to move on and get something more current in terms of surround decoding capability eg Dolby Atmos, DTS-X, Auro 3D. 

So you have a hybrid setup I see. I do have a separate dedicated two-channel setup / system in a separate dedicated stereo listening room. 
My dedicated stereo setup consists of the following : 
* DCS Vivaldi full four stacks : Vivaldi master clock, Vivaldi upsampler, Vivaldi DAC, Vivaldi CD/SACD transport.
* Kronos Pro turntable.
* 12" Black Beauty tonearm.
* Air Tight PC-1 Supreme mc cartridge.
* Discrete class A linear PSU for the turntable.
* Dedicated Kronos stand specifically designed for Kronos Pro turntable.
* Audio Research Reference 10 phonostage preamp.
* Naim Statement NAC S1 linestage analog preamp.
* Naim Statement NAP S1 monoblock power amps.
* Magico M6 speakers.
Speaker cables are Transparent Magnum Opus. All interconnects and power cables are Transparent Opus. Digital interconnects are Transparent Reference.
All power products are Shunyata Research Hydra Triton & Typhon with Shunyata Sigma power cables. 

rshad0000
271 posts
 
Caphill,
Awesome system! Congrats!  

I dont think, at least initially, I will add the extra speakers.   I’m really looking for the 4K switching and the room correction.   Plus the video on my ssp-800 has been dropping out occasionally, which is really annoying.  Not sure what is going on with that.
caphill OP
680 posts
 
@rshad0000

Thanks.

When the video on your SSP 800 was dropping out, what source was it playing from? Was it from your cable tv box or your bluray / 4K UHD bluray player or other AV sources such as gaming consoles, etc? Are you using Oppo UDP-205/203 4K UHD player?
I’ve heard from few people on other forums that the Oppo UDP 205 was causing audio & video dropouts on occasion especially when it’s connected to a Sony 4k TV.

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