FS Classe SSP-25 THX DTS DD processor and balanced pre amp

[UV101]

I think I'm going to regret this at some point but I'm going from fully discrete cinema to a processor/amp for convenience!

Had this about 6 years and its nothing short of awesome. The design and build is absolutely outstanding. The only thing I felt the need to change were a couple of opamps after the 4 DAC chips and a couple of DC blocking caps on the single ended L&R pre outs.

It's fully THX ultra certified and is reviewed as a better stereo preamp than the equivalent proceed amp of the time. It really is HiFi with the ability to handle cinema.

It's a few years old now and not as quick as the latest stuff to lock onto DTS and DD but it locks within a second and doesn't loose lock while the steam is live. I mention this because if you use it with a PS3 it will not lock onto the PCM whilst in the menu. This is because while the source is not outputting audio there is nothing to lock to. It never drops on DD or DTS. This is something that was a feature at the time and was improved in the SSP-30. There was no update for the 25, trust me I've tried to find one!!!

To give you an idea of how this might limit you (or not) I can confirm that for the past 5 years, it need used for every sound I've listened to on the TV! I don't use the TV speakers ever!!! I can confirm that it works fine with Sky HD and VM TIVO (second or so drop when the adverts start and stop as the signal changes to and from DD on the HD channels).

I used it with a stereo chip amp for the rears and recently a mono quad 405 clone for the centre.

House move means a slight change and so it boxed and if it doesn't sell that's where it will stay for now!

Retailed at approx $3000 when it was new but its value is now killed due to HDMI!

4 spdif input and 1 tos link ( tos can be used in place of the 4th spdif so a total of 4 digital inputs)

Mix of BB opamps in the pre (std) and Nat semi LM and BB opamps after the 4 CS4390ks high end dac chips which boast 24bit, 115db snr, 106db dynamic range and a 128 bit interpolation filter.

Trust me this is not a toy, the clarity and dynamics from this source are astounding even using chip amps!!!

The main downside is that fact that all the set up is manual (not really a problem). Specify the usual parameters like distance and speaker size the run the white noise test and set the levels.

Comes with original box, remote and I'll even print and bind a new manual.

Small mark in the black part of the facia just visible in the 2nd to last photo.

Serial number in the box matches the unit.

Anyway enough of my rambling. Not sure what its worth so I'll start at £299ono plus postage which is an absolute bargain if just for the preamp!

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/IMG_7032_zps7d145a3a.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/IMG_7033_zpsc238a8f4.jpg

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http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/IMG_7029_zps1df8128e.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/IMG_7025_zps31852749.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/IMG_7033_zpsc238a8f4.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/IMG_7034_zps177bda4e.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/575A8476-10F3-4283-A4AD-5A01329CFD37-11761-0000061F62D30AD3_zpsb952e111.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/14A47666-EDD9-4476-8C8A-9FE352F016EE-11761-0000061F6DEF9BE6_zpse628c29b.jpg

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr332/Trunky1812/Classe%20SSP-25/ECB9BF69-34A2-401B-AF80-1C5D528D185F-11761-0000061F7396BBE0_zps8258b99a.jpg

[UV101]

Little Bump before eBay :)

[UV101]

Last go......open to offers ;)

[UV101]

Def last go!!!!
on eBay now but still happy if someone wants to make an offer here :)

[Spectral Morn]

I wish you luck with this, nice item in its day but AV people are very led by features and facilities and the fact it won't process any of the HD formats will go against it too, so its not just lack of HDMI.

I have a Denon AV1 Se which I love but if I want HD I will have to hook 6 leads up from the Blu Ray using its onboard processor and feeding the Denon's analogue amplifiers - to be honest I can't be bothered doing it - and the coax dig does not carry HD audio only HDMI does.

Anyone who wants to mix a good two channel pre with AV - in one system - and are not fussed with more than 5.1 this is a good buy at the price.


Regards Neil

[UV101]

You're not wrong Neil :)

One thing I will say is its very good as a stereo pre. I guess the downside as you say is if you are able to do discrete amps all round, you're probably wanting more in the "feature" department. Personally, I've never been into any of the enhanced modes. I want straight DD, DTS :) no "hall" or "stadium" required!!!!!

Its definitely better on some of the 2 channel DD sky arts HD stuff than the Yamaha I'm now using which shows just how good the pre-amp is!