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
rshad0000
151 posts
 
Thanks

I agree with you completely on your comments of comparing the two channel performance of the gryphon/Chord vs the lyngdorf internal DAC.   I just did it because I was curious how they would compare.

I’ll be curious how you feel about the MP-50 once it is broken in.   I, honestly, don’t think mine is broken in yet either.

Great two channel system, by the way.  I’ve always been a fan of Naim and I bet their statement amps sound fantastic!
caphill OP
496 posts
 
Naim Statement gears, which consists of Naim NAC S1 linestage preamp and Naim NAP S1 monoblock amps, are extraordinary and these are statement products/cost-no-object design gears.
Most Naim dealers wouldn't have these Naim Statement gears on display for demo due to the costs of these babies.

I purchased these Naim Statement gears earlier this year. Prior to that I was using 2 pairs of Dan D’Agostino Momentum M400 monoblock amps with the Audio Research Reference 10 linestage preamp, and the Naim Statement gears took everything to the whole new levels of performances. I guess it is expected considering the big price differences.

rshad0000, how long have you had your MP-50? Did you notice that the MP-50 has only XLR balanced analog audio outs? It’s not like I needed the rca single-ended outs or anything. The Classe SSP 800 has both XLR & RCA analog outs. When I was buying additional power amps to power my new overhead height ceiling speakers for Atmos setup I had to purchase two Classe Sigma Amp2 stereo power amps cause the Sigma Amp5 five-channel amp has XLR inputs for only front L/R channels and with the remaining channels only available in single-ended. So I couldn’t get the Sigma Amp5 five-channel amp. Instead I had to get two Sigma Amp2 stereo power amps since the Sigma Amp2 stereo amp has XLR inputs. Cause I now have 4 overhead ceiling speakers for Atmos setup. But the rest of my Classe Delta series class AB amps all have XLR inputs on them.
rshad0000
151 posts
 
Caphill,  Yes, I ran into a problem with it only having xlr outputs as well.   My Gryphon only has a rca input for the HT pass through so I had to use xlr to rca adapters.
caphill OP
496 posts
 
@rshad0000

I’m concerned that the xlr to rca adapter will degrade the signal thus sound quality. I would avoid using that. But it seems like you have no choice since your HT bypass on your Gryphon is rca.

Yes, I can't wait till my new MP-50 fully settles in. 
rshad0000
151 posts
 
Caphill,  Yes, I agree, but not sure what else to do.
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