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I had a fortunate experience today. The local dealer not only had the Classe' CP-500 on hand, which I have heard before, they also had an SSP-600. This made for a good opportunity to put to rest a naging question I had on my mind. Does the SSP-600 give up anything to the CP-500 in the two-channel department?
It was the forth time in the last few months I have been able to critique the performance virtues of the CP-500, in the same location, in the same room and using same equipment and speakers. As a result I have a fairly good impression of the CP-500's capabilities. As some of you may know music and movies are equally important to me. As such I am looking for a AV upgrade combination that makes no sacrifices to either. My original upgrade plans, regarding Classe' equipment, included the SSP-600. However, not being able to hear the SSP-600 (until now) I wondered if its two-channel performance could deliver and if the price of admission would be worth it?
Using the same controlled approach that I have taken before, (everything the same except the pieces under evaluation), I was able to determine and conclude that the two-channel differences (if they exist) between the CP-500 and SSP-600 are not audible. The CP-500 and the SSP-600 sounded identical, when balanced connections were used. I didn't conduct single ended tests so I have no comment there. Needless to say, if you were sitting on the fence, like I was, you can rest assured knowing that the SSP-600 can deliver the goods for two-channel listeners that also like movies.
By the way, I also compared the Rotel RSX-1056 (which I currently own) in bypass mode to the SSP-600, also in bypass mode, and just as I discovered when I compared it to the CP-500 the improvements were immediately obvious and quite substantial (level adjustments included). The SSP-600 delivered a more expansive soundstage, more image resolution, more lower bass extension and more articulate upper bass. It also improved midrage and treble definition and the presentation was full bodied throughout the entire audible range, naturally and honestly. Simply put the SSP-600 was a joy to use and listen too.
It was the forth time in the last few months I have been able to critique the performance virtues of the CP-500, in the same location, in the same room and using same equipment and speakers. As a result I have a fairly good impression of the CP-500's capabilities. As some of you may know music and movies are equally important to me. As such I am looking for a AV upgrade combination that makes no sacrifices to either. My original upgrade plans, regarding Classe' equipment, included the SSP-600. However, not being able to hear the SSP-600 (until now) I wondered if its two-channel performance could deliver and if the price of admission would be worth it?
Using the same controlled approach that I have taken before, (everything the same except the pieces under evaluation), I was able to determine and conclude that the two-channel differences (if they exist) between the CP-500 and SSP-600 are not audible. The CP-500 and the SSP-600 sounded identical, when balanced connections were used. I didn't conduct single ended tests so I have no comment there. Needless to say, if you were sitting on the fence, like I was, you can rest assured knowing that the SSP-600 can deliver the goods for two-channel listeners that also like movies.
By the way, I also compared the Rotel RSX-1056 (which I currently own) in bypass mode to the SSP-600, also in bypass mode, and just as I discovered when I compared it to the CP-500 the improvements were immediately obvious and quite substantial (level adjustments included). The SSP-600 delivered a more expansive soundstage, more image resolution, more lower bass extension and more articulate upper bass. It also improved midrage and treble definition and the presentation was full bodied throughout the entire audible range, naturally and honestly. Simply put the SSP-600 was a joy to use and listen too.
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