Official SSP-800 Thread

[Kal Rubinson]

Kal,

The Kaleidescape is a media server for movies and music (it's very cool). They are planning on having BD capability in the not to distant future.

Eric

Oh yeah. Not my cuppa tea.

Kal

[RebelMan]

Oh yeah. Not my cuppa tea.

But the $ooloo$ and Sonos are? :roll:

[Kal Rubinson]

But the $ooloo$ and Sonos are? :roll:

Who said that money had anything to do with it? The Sooloos was obtained for a review and is an audio-only device. The Sonos was offered for me to try out and I did because I had hoped to use it for streaming audio from the Internet. Unfortunately, I have not found a source whose quality is tolerable.

Kal

[wettou]

itune works great with uncompressed files.

[wettou]

Correction. Classé said they would have a definitive decision on whether the upgrade board would be forthcoming or not and its cost. This was officially confirmed with the dealer announcement. The only time frame that Classé could commit to regarding the availability of the upgrade board (at launch time) was for some time later in the year (at best). People that were on the fence regarding the upgrade and supported formats no longer need be.

Well my understanding was from Dave N. at Classé that the upgrade would be available, but that Classé didn't know if it would be free or $.

There was no precise indication on timing just some time in the future!! :P

[RebelMan]

Who said that money had anything to do with it?

LOL, no one. The $ooloo$ is a video media server and the Sonos an audio one. When you said the Kaleidescape was not your cuppa tea I had trouble consolidating that with your situation given that it did both. The $ooloo$ is expensive but that wasn't the concern I had in mind when posing the question.

[RebelMan]

Well my understanding was from Dave N. at Classé that the upgrade would be available, but that Classé didn't know if it would be free or $.

There was no precise indication on timing just some time in the future!! :P

LOL, isn't that what I said? :W

[Kal Rubinson]

itune works great with uncompressed files.

And who streams uncompressed files?

Kal

[Kal Rubinson]

LOL, no one. The $ooloo$ is a video media server .............

It is? Not the one I have.

When you said the Kaleidescape was not your cuppa tea I had trouble consolidating that with your situation given that it did both.

I have no use for a video media server.

Kal

[RebelMan]

It is? Not the one I have.

I have no use for a video media server.

Nevermind! I botched that one up. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe too much Apple TV on the brain or something. Sorry about that.

[Kal Rubinson]

Nevermind! I botched that one up. I don't know what I was thinking. Maybe too much Apple TV on the brain or something. Sorry about that.

No problem. I didn't even remember what Kaleidescape was although I have seen it many times.

Kal

[RebelMan]

The Sooloos interactive screen reminds me of a video kiosk more than a music server. I've been spoiled by the Sonos handheld controller.

[beden1]

RebelMan, I didn't see it asked beforehand, but does the SSP-800 have a dedicated iPod connection? Thanks

[Nolan B]

I remember asking this, but dont remember reading an answer. Does the 800 process hi rez audio? i.e. will it apply PLIIx to a 5.1 lossless PCM to make it 7.1?

Also curios to know if the 800 does an = or < job at 2 channel stereo then teh current CDP. If not just how good would it be?

Any reason why all the DACs in the 800 cant be as good as the DACs in the CDP?

[style]

ssp800

direct from B&W Switzerland:
---------------------------------
Der SSP800 wird im Mai/Juni lieferbar sein und klanglich und technologisch ein absolutes Spitzenprodukt sein (Dual-DSP).

Mit freundlichen Grüssen

Fritz Fabig

B&W Group (Schweiz) GmbH
Ifangstrasse 5
8952 Schlieren
Switzerland
-------------------------------------


Omar

[sikoniko]

direct from B&W Switzerland:
---------------------------------
Der SSP800 wird im Mai/Juni lieferbar sein und klanglich und technologisch ein absolutes Spitzenprodukt sein (Dual-DSP).

Mit freundlichen Grüssen

Fritz Fabig

B&W Group (Schweiz) GmbH
Ifangstrasse 5
8952 Schlieren
Switzerland
-------------------------------------



Omar

I'm guessing I see something about May / June in there??

[style]

ssp800

My friend of B & W Switzerland also told me over the phone that ssp800 Switzerland will be available in May or June. (CHf about. 13900 .-)
About order now pre / pro receive just available without extra charge for the update dts master.


i don't no how much will be the price in USA but i think not more as $.9000.-
and at today 1 chf. = 1 $!!!
(in europa $13600.- to have the ssp800)

Omar

[RebelMan]

I remember asking this, but dont remember reading an answer. Does the 800 process hi rez audio? i.e. will it apply PLIIx to a 5.1 lossless PCM to make it 7.1?

Yes, up to the resolution limits of the source media. The SSP-800 will only input up to 24/192 for two-channel stereo but has the capacity to output up to 24/192 for multi-channel audio by upsampling.

Also curios to know if the 800 does an = or < job at 2 channel stereo then teh current CDP. If not just how good would it be?

I suspect it will equal or exceed. However, S/PDIF induced jitter cannot be completely accounted for so the (current) CDP may have the edge when used as a player rather than as a transport. I intend to evaluate this aspect to confirm my suspicions.

Any reason why all the DACs in the 800 cant be as good as the DACs in the CDP?

Costs and the fact that the PCM1796 DACs are suffcient for the (surround) roles they are engaged in.

[RebelMan]

RebelMan, I didn't see it asked beforehand, but does the SSP-800 have a dedicated iPod connection? Thanks

Nothing "dedicated" like the Wadia iPod Dock. There might be third party adapters that will allow one to extract the digital signals through the iPod's dock connector but I haven't found any... yet.

[wettou]

Two more weeks and then hopefully the SSP-800 ships!

[beden1]

Nothing "dedicated" like the Wadia iPod Dock. There might be third party adapters that will allow one to extract the digital signals through the iPod's dock connector but I haven't found any... yet.

That's kind of surprising that a a dedicated iPod connection would not be included in any new piece of equipment today. I've been enjoying listening to my iPod through my system while busy doing other things in the house, enabled through a supplied dedicated connection in my Pioneer Elite receiver that is now over two years old.

I guess with the Classe piece, you could always use the Radio Shack iPod single input connection to left and right RCA pre-pro inputs. But, this is not an optimal solution, particularly for something that costs $8,000. For that kind of money, I would want all of the bells and whistles.

I guess I'll just wait to see what next year's crop of new equipment offers.

[RebelMan]

Not surprising at all. The SSP-800 is a preamplier/processor not a receiver. By definition pre/pro's do not include tuners, amplification, and options like a proprietary iPod docking port which some Pioneer receivers have.

As a loooong time iPod supporter I like the novelty of iPod ready devices but find their greatest appeal in vehicle sound systems. I agree that native compatibility with the iPod's dock connector will provide better performance than using a stereo mini-jack to stereo RCA connector cable. But when used as it's primary purpose in a home system, for background music, the choice becomes arbitrary.

The intention of iPod ready support is to facilitate better usability and control over the iPod through the compatible device's display interface. This is to my thinking the bigger selling point for including the feature in the first place.

A music distribution like Sonos is significantly more powerful than an iPod docking solution for home audio systems. It also offers tip top performance and is built on existing cable connection standards like S/PDIF and RCA. iPod compatibility is nice for the right application but I'd never leverage this feature in lieu of audio performance, NEVER.

[RebelMan]

Beauty...




and the BEAST!

[wettou]

Interesting comparison, on one hand you have every thing and then some on the other it is clean and efficient.

I will take quality over quantity and since I have only a few needs HDMi is all I care for is to plug the following.

- JVC DLA-RS2 (HDMi)
- Blu Ray Player (HDMi)
- SACD player (HDMi)
- Music Server (Optical/Coaxial too bad no HDMi )

Classé CA amps (XLR)

I wished some one could make a top of the line all digital pre/pro.

That would be great, save money and ditch all the analogue sorry. Digital is the way to go.

[wettou]

[QUOTE=RebelMan]Beauty...



Is this the Classé SSP-800 drawing?

[RebelMan]

Is this the Classé SSP-800 drawing?

It is.

[wettou]

Cool, how did you get your hands on this!

[RebelMan]

Interesting comparison, on one hand you have every thing and then some on the other it is clean and efficient.

Indeed.

I wished some one could make a top of the line all digital pre/pro.

That would be great, save money and ditch all the analogue sorry. Digital is the way to go.

Classé would tend to agree with you and the SSP-800 is the first major step in that direction. Their next pre-amplifier will follow suit as well.

[RebelMan]

Cool, how did you get your hands on this!

By pleading mercifully. LOL :B

I am hoping once the SSP-800 begins to ship (maybe sooner) I'll have some full color photos to share too. :T

[wettou]

[QUOTE=RebelMan]By pleading mercifully. LOL


LOL? what does it mean so we are still on track for May 1st!! That would be great, maybe I will check with Dave!

[RebelMan]

LOL = Laughing Out Loud.

The first week of May is still on target.

[wettou]

Excellent, let's hope it is not delayed again.

I am ready to replace the Integra and have the Classé pre/pro to elevate the CA-5200 and CA-2100 to an other level.

Now if I could only get dealer cost it would be even better! ($4K or $4.8K instead of $8K now that would be very nice!)

[beden1]

Not surprising at all. The SSP-800 is a preamplier/processor not a receiver. By definition pre/pro's do not include tuners, amplification, and options like a proprietary iPod docking port which some Pioneer receivers have.

As a loooong time iPod supporter I like the novelty of iPod ready devices but find their greatest appeal in vehicle sound systems. I agree that native compatibility with the iPod's dock connector will provide better performance than using a stereo mini-jack to stereo RCA connector cable. But when used as it's primary purpose in a home system, for background music, the choice becomes arbitrary.

The intention of iPod ready support is to facilitate better usability and control over the iPod through the compatible device's display interface. This is to my thinking the bigger selling point for including the feature in the first place.

A music distribution like Sonos is significantly more powerful than an iPod docking solution for home audio systems. It also offers tip top performance and is built on existing cable connection standards like S/PDIF and RCA. iPod compatibility is nice for the right application but I'd never leverage this feature in lieu of audio performance, NEVER.

I think with today's technological capabilities and the ever costly purchase prices of high line equipment, a pre-pro should offer all of the features of a receiver including a tuner, and no power amp. I also feel that the high end consumer should not have to be as much of a beta tester as we are being subjected to, with nearly every electronics purchase during the last few years.

I think it's great to have the flexibility offered for fixes and add-ons enabled through the internet, but it seems like too many manufacturers rush to market before they are ready for prime time.

And, with the massive popularity of the iPod, I would have expected a dedicated solution like the Pioneer offers, to have been a no brainer. Soros and other music server solutions are better quality than the iPod, but the cost is also very prohibitive for this emerging technology IMO.

[wettou]

I would agree with beden1 that you would think they have market research that tells them what customer are looking for. Quality and Features can go hand in hand!

On top of it with the iPod popularity one doesn't need any market research to know that millions of people use it

[merlinus]

Hey RebelMan, thanks hugely for the drawing of the rear of the SSP-800! My dealer is quite impressed, and so am I!!!

Looks like there is an xlr connection for the subwoofer as well as the other speakers, which means I will need a cable with a female xlr to an rca.

Is there recommended pinout information available for this?

Or since my sub only has rca inputs, better to use an unbalanced cable from the 800?

[RebelMan]

I think with today's technological capabilities and the ever costly purchase prices of high line equipment, a pre-pro should offer all of the features of a receiver including a tuner, and no power amp.

Understood but what you are asking for is not what a pre/pro does.

I also feel that the high end consumer should not have to be as much of a beta tester as we are being subjected to, with nearly every electronics purchase during the last few years.

I think it's great to have the flexibility offered for fixes and add-ons enabled through the internet, but it seems like too many manufacturers rush to market before they are ready for prime time.

What are you really saying?

And, with the massive popularity of the iPod, I would have expected a dedicated solution like the Pioneer offers, to have been a no brainer. Soros and other music server solutions are better quality than the iPod, but the cost is also very prohibitive for this emerging technology IMO.

Mr. Z06 (aka U) should know better than most that quality and high performance doesn't come cheap!

[RebelMan]

Hey RebelMan, thanks hugely for the drawing of the rear of the SSP-800! My dealer is quite impressed, and so am I!!!

My pleasure.

Looks like there is an xlr connection for the subwoofer as well as the other speakers, which means I will need a cable with a female xlr to an rca.

Is there recommended pinout information available for this?

Or since my sub only has rca inputs, better to use an unbalanced cable from the 800?

I would say if you have an RCA only capable subwoofer to use an unbalanced RCA cable without any adapters.

[beden1]

Understood but what you are asking for is not what a pre/pro does.

A high end Pre-Pro should do it, and do it well . . . offer the best of all features of a receiver, sans the amps!

What are you really saying?

Instead of launching electronics like the SSP-800 for example, they should wait until their lossless audio features are included, instead of expecting their customers to perform these upgrades. Particularly since it would appear they are close to making them available in the first place.

Mr. Z06 (aka U) should know better than most that quality and high performance doesn't come cheap!

I'm not complaining about the cost, but for the price, I expect value like the ZO6!

[Harmonium]

[QUOTE=RebelMan]Beauty...




I'm worried a bit here. Where is the XLR Digital input ? My SSP-600 has one and I need one to plug my CDT-300. I hope it is just my eyes that are too tired to see it !

[hifiguymi]

I'm worried a bit here. Where is the XLR Digital input ? My SSP-600 has one and I need one to plug my CDT-300. I hope it is just my eyes that are too tired to see it !

All you will need is an HDMI cable and it will do it all.

Eric

[Harmonium]

All you will need is an HDMI cable and it will do it all.

Eric

Well, I never used the HDMI cable for the audio signal. Will it be better ?

[RebelMan]

I'm not complaining about the cost, but for the price, I expect value like the ZO6!

For its class you get Z06 value and more! If it was just value then look no further than a Shelby GT500. :W

[hifiguymi]

Well, I never used the HDMI cable for the audio signal. Will it be better ?

It's been so long since I've used an AES/EBU balanced digital cable I couldn't tell you. I've not seen a product that has one and HDMI so right now there isn't a way to compare them.

Eric

[wettou]

HDMi digital cable is lossless and therefore should be better. When I look at Video and compare HDMi vs component on a JVC RS2, HDMi comes out cleaner, so one can assume it will be the same on the audio side.

But "Proof is in the pudding" as they say in England, so until we can compare we will just have to assume

[Harmonium]

It's been so long since I've used an AES/EBU balanced digital cable I couldn't tell you. I've not seen a product that has one and HDMI so right now there isn't a way to compare them.

Eric

Well, for me it is hard to beat an AES/EBU balanced digital cable (I'm using Siltech as cable between SSP-600 and CDT-300) and I've never heard sound from an HDMI cable. So it will be a surprise since I already ordered my SSP-800.

François