Classé Delta PRE Stereo Preamplifier and Delta STEREO Power Amplifier Review

In 2013 I was looking for a good preamp and had the Classe CP-800 on long loan from a dealer. I was most impressed by its sound quality, build and looks. I had a Linn Akurate DS to compare it with and I preferred the Classe.

The new Delta PRE appears identical, though I'm sure there are internal differences. It's odd that so very little of any improvements inside the box are reflected on the outside - or even back panel. At the time, I concluded that it offered far more features than I needed (lots of analogue inputs, phono stage, etc) so I passed in the hope that Classe might introduce a simpler but equally good sounding digital preamp at a lower price. Then the CP-800 was discontinued (? change of ownership?) and only their less attractive black-cased units remained.

Now the more desirable CP-800 has been re-introduced under a new name and perhaps better sound quality. Pity there's no streaming facility, or even mention that there may be a streamer board (akin to NAD's BluOS module) available in the future to occupy the bay designed for the HDMI card supplied with the reviewer's PRE. Peter

Spot the difference. Colour optional for both I believe
 

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Hear Here said:
In 2013 I was looking for a good preamp and had the Classe CP-800 on long loan from a dealer. I was most impressed by its sound quality, build and looks. I had a Linn Akurate DS to compare it with and I preferred the Classe.

The new Delta PRE appears identical, though I'm sure there are internal differences. It's odd that so very little of any improvements inside the box are reflected on the outside - or even back panel. At the time, I concluded that it offered far more features than I needed (lots of analogue inputs, phono stage, etc) so I passed in the hope that Classe might introduce a simpler but equally good sounding digital preamp at a lower price. Then the CP-800 was discontinued (? change of ownership?) and only their less attractive black-cased units remained.

Now the more desirable CP-800 has been re-introduced under a new name and perhaps better sound quality. Pity there's no streaming facility, or even mention that there may be a streamer board (akin to NAD's BluOS module) available in the future to occupy the bay designed for the HDMI card supplied with the reviewer's PRE. Peter

Spot the difference.
Click to expand...

There is streaming capabilities.

217a7320fcbdd9b2c0956d740c6cd5d4.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Anybody read that review and learn anything about how the gear actually sounds?
 
mep said:
Anybody read that review and learn anything about how the gear actually sounds?
Click to expand...

It doesn’t matter what someone else thinks about gear, it’s what you think after an in home or store demo.
 
joeinid said:
It doesn’t matter what someone else thinks about gear, it’s what you think after an in home or store demo.
Click to expand...

If that's true, why do you post links to reviews? Not everyone has the option of listening to gear in their system prior to purchase. Some people actually read as many reviews of gear they are interested in purchasing to see if there is any consensus on how the gear sounds.
 
mep said:
If that's true, why do you post links to reviews? Not everyone has the option of listening to gear in their system prior to purchase. Some people actually read as many reviews of gear they are interested in purchasing to see if there is any consensus on how the gear sounds.
Click to expand...

Not everyone has the intention of buying but like to see what’s out there.

I’m posting information for gear that I see. I can’t help what the actual content contains.

Surely you don’t recommend buying something just because a few reviews might infer that it sounds okay without them actually hearing it?
 
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While Classé audio is far from being in the upper high end brands Mike is selling, the few videos where those Classé appears on his youtube channel all sounds surprisingly more satisfying to my ears than the true big boys he (also) does play on his channel...

I know it's youtube, it's compressed, it's through cheap speakers and so on but all things being equal in the end anyway, the Classé brings me that "ohhhh yeahhhh" feeling that we all are looking for...
 
mep said:
If that's true, why do you post links to reviews? Not everyone has the option of listening to gear in their system prior to purchase. Some people actually read as many reviews of gear they are interested in purchasing to see if there is any consensus on how the gear sounds.
Click to expand...

But the sound you will hear in your own home will bear little resemblance to the sound the reviewers hear in their rooms. If you can't get a dealer of a respected brand to loan a unit for a home demo, then think twice about spending your money with them. The manufacturer / importer / distributor will almost certainly be able to guide you towards a more helpful dealer. Even if you have to pay for return carriage, this is a small cost compared with having to re-sell a unit that just doesn't match you speakers, you room and your listening preferences. Granted this is less critical with amps compared with speakers, but I home demo'd a dozen amps before settling on the one I did, even though many of the others were very well reviewed.
 
Hear Here said:
Neither the review that Joe mentioned, nor this one Classe Audio Delta Pre Preamplifier/Processor and Delta Stereo Amplifier - The Absolute Sound makes any mention of streaming. They do say that control apps for Android devices are available if connected via Ethernet. How sure are you that this Classe preamp can stream from Tidal, Qobuz, etc? It would be worthy of consideration if that was possible. Peter
Click to expand...

Roon endpoint certification coming.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
joeinid said:
Not everyone has the intention of buying but like to see what’s out there.

I’m posting information for gear that I see. I can’t help what the actual content contains.

Surely you don’t recommend buying something just because a few reviews might infer that it sounds okay without them actually hearing it?
Click to expand...

Surely you're not inferring that everyone has the ability to hear gear they are thinking of purchasing in their own system prior to purchase are you?
 
mep said:
Surely you're not inferring that everyone has the ability to hear gear they are thinking of purchasing in their own system prior to purchase are you?
Click to expand...

I also mentioned store or showroom that you conveniently left out. Is there something about Classe that makes the buying process different than other gear? You think someone isn’t going to track down someway to hear it before buying it? Or at least get a 30/60 day return policy at point or sale? Okay
 
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mep said:
Surely you're not inferring that everyone has the ability to hear gear they are thinking of purchasing in their own system prior to purchase are you?
Click to expand...

I admit to being OCD, but I cannot recall EVER purchasing an audio component that I didn't try out or go hear (and then, only IF I thought the demo would be done well with a properly set-up system), or if all of that was unavailable, a proven/guaranteed return option had to be available with no hassle.

That includes everything in the list below.
 
joeinid said:
I also mentioned store or showroom that you conveniently left out. Is there something about Classe that makes the buying process different than other gear? You think someone isn’t going to track down someway to hear it before buying it? Or at least get a 30/60 day return policy at point or sale? Okay
Click to expand...

I didn't leave "conveniently" leave out "store or showroom." We all agree hearing gear in your own system prior to purchase would be optimum. Getting a dealer to let you borrow gear is another kettle of fish unless you have a very established relationship.
 
Jim Smith said:
I admit to being OCD, but I cannot recall EVER purchasing an audio component that I didn't try out or go hear (and then, only IF I thought the demo would be done well with a properly set-up system), or if all of that was unavailable, a proven/guaranteed return option had to be available with no hassle.

That includes everything in the list below.
Click to expand...

To be fair, not sure you heard your Fyne’s before buying….but I could be wrong.

In store demo is the most realistic today IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Hear Here said:
But the sound you will hear in your own home will bear little resemblance to the sound the reviewers hear in their rooms. If you can't get a dealer of a respected brand to loan a unit for a home demo, then think twice about spending your money with them. The manufacturer / importer / distributor will almost certainly be able to guide you towards a more helpful dealer. Even if you have to pay for return carriage, this is a small cost compared with having to re-sell a unit that just doesn't match you speakers, you room and your listening preferences. Granted this is less critical with amps compared with speakers, but I home demo'd a dozen amps before settling on the one I did, even though many of the others were very well reviewed.
Click to expand...

Really?

Little?
 
Myles B. Astor said:
Really?

Little?
Click to expand...

And to take that to the next logical step in that train of thought, that means the gear you hear in a dealer's showroom will bear little resemblance to the sound you will hear in your own home.
 
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