Upgrade Choice? Marantz 8003 vs Classe SSP 300

[Armbender]

I currently have a 1056 and am looking to upgrade to a dedicated processor..budget is $2000 CAD. Torn between the Classe SSP-300 and the Marantz 8003..Music 20% and HT 80%

My Current set up;

Rotel 1056
Emotiva XPA-5
Rotel 1060 (Oppo BDP-83 is on order)
B&W 604 S3 series
SVS PC 13 Ultra
Pure AV PF-60
Cat Cables
Apple Tv

Thanks

[Armbender]

i have a deal on an 8003 but havent heard any comments..

i see some in the Classe section stating the 300 out performs the new BluRay formats...

i have no opportunity on testing either Processor which is my downfall

[audioqueso]

Check out the AV8003 owner thread over at AVS. Good luck though... it's like 80 pages long!
Are they in the same price range? (I never looked at Classe)

[1oldguy]

Just finished looking at the 8003.It seems to be quite the rig.It list's for 3150.00 on the site.Of course that's in Canadian dollars.

[Armbender]

i was lookin at a used purchase..i have found both units for roughly the same price...My home theatre guy out here was trying to steer me away from the Marantz saying it was a big step down from the Rotel...he didnt comment on the classe but tried to push Denon on me...Im just not a Denon person

thanks for the direction to the thread

[1oldguy]

I am kind of in the same boat as yourself.I have my speakers but need a dedicated pre .I was thinking of ssp 300 as well.I would like to keep my options open but I do admit I seem to like the 8003.

[Armbender]

I am kind of in the same boat as yourself.I have my speakers but need a dedicated pre .I was thinking of ssp 300 as well.I would like to keep my options open but I do admit I seem to like the 8003.

it definately has a lot of bells and whistles..surprisingly it weighs less than the much smaller ssp 300..

hopefully someone can tune in that has tried both processors...