Classe's New CP-800 Pre-amp/DAC. Impressions?

12Volt,

I believe that Classe has moved production to China - was your 800 built in China or Canada?

I've placed an order for 2 CA-M300 monoblocks, but after learning they may be made in China I put the order on hold.

How is the build quality? Any issues so far? I am concerned that there will be a steep learning curve for the first year or so as Classe starts production in China, with spotty or inconsistent quality - and if that is the case I may look elsewhere.

I had a PS Audio PWD and this is a full fledged preamp. The overall sound is quite dramatically different and I use only digital sources. I do not for a second miss the PS PWD, this is a far superior sounding unit and it should be. As a preamp its sound is amazing and outstanding. The sound stage is HUGE, it is very quiet. I also have another octive of bass that the PS PWD didn't have, go figure. I have all the inputs I could ever want and the tilt control is something very special. The flexibility of this unit is great. Unfortuneately all recordings are not equal so I can tailor the bass and treble when needed with the tilt control. I haven't even touched the EQ section so there is even more control to play with. I currently have Thiel 3.7's with a Brystom 4b SST2. Souces are all digital out of my Koala Bluenote CD player or my Sony Bluray and Apple TV. I have also tried my little iPod and this is too amazing, never in a million years thought the sound of this would be even close to acceptable, but it is! Will go for a mini mac soon! It is still breaking in and now has maybe 150 hours on it. I encouage you to audition one, take your time with it. I waited 6 months for my unit and it is worth the wait.

Yes, they don't hide it, its marked all over the box and I belive its a good thing. With the reputation for quality that Classe is known for, there isn't anything to be concerned about. My unit is perfect! I would be more concerned if it was made in Europe than in China! Chinese know how to assemble electronics, lets face it. It is purely Classe designed and I am sure that parts are sourced throughout the world. If it was made in Canada or the USA, it would probably retail for over twice its price. This unit is a bargin in relation to its perfromance. Apple is an excellent example of Chinese sourced products.

All I can compare this to was the PS Audio PWD, and in my opinion this is far better sounding, it is in a different league. It added an octive of bass that my speakers never had before and this is running it with NO EQ or tone controls. In fact you can disengage them totally if you wish to. I rarely use them but when I do it is for poor recordings to start with. Don't take my word, bring one home for an audition. It is well worth your effort and time. I am pleased beyond my expectations and now the six months that I waited for it were worth every minute.

12 volt

Thank you for your response. Do you (or anyone you know) have any experience in drag racing the DAC section of the CP-800 with DACS like the Berkeley Alpha DAC, Weiss DAC 202, ARC DAC 8, Playback Designs or DCS DACs?

Also what preamps in your opinion is the CP-800 preamp section comparable to?

No, only the Wyred 4 Sound dac. A friend of mine that owns the Wyred for Sound dacII and he feels that the CP800 dac is a rival and does sound a little more natural, not as hard sounding. As far as the other DACs you mentioned I haven't had any experience with them, only the PS Audio PWD and this (CP800) is far better sounding, not even close IMO. This preamp sounds better than the former pre's I have had in my system, not to mention the flexibility of this unit. I have had in recent years the Cary SLP98, McIntosh 220 and the Audio Research ls-17 which was my favorite before the CP800. Cp 800 is very open and has excellent low end extension, quite freaky when I think of the other fairly good preamp's I have had. It's in a different league.