XT4's & Classe SSP 600

[jimarchy]

Hi

I bought 4 XT4's from a dealer a month ago for a bargain price( I wanted the XT4's anyway so getting them cheap was a no brainer). I also managed to buy a Classe SSP600 on AudiogoN for $3k brand new so got myself another bargain too(Great reviews and looks damn sexy).

Trouble is... I am a newbie to all this and like a Virgin punter in a brothel I bought two great looker's but havent a clue what to do next...!!!!

The spec of the SSP600 say's it has the power to drive my speakers without a problem... or do I need an amp or two??? or will I be OK until I decide to Upgrade?

Any help would be appreciated!!!

cheers

James

[wettou]

The spec of the SSP600 say's it has the power to drive my speakers without a problem... or do I need an amp or two??? or will I be OK until I decide to Upgrade? Any help would be appreciated!!! James

SSP-600 is a processor not an amp? You need amplifiers to drive your speakers :B

[Nolan B]

Hi

I bought 4 XT4's from a dealer a month ago for a bargain price( I wanted the XT4's anyway so getting them cheap was a no brainer). I also managed to buy a Classe SSP600 on AudiogoN for $3k brand new so got myself another bargain too(Great reviews and looks damn sexy).

Trouble is... I am a newbie to all this and like a Virgin punter in a brothel I bought two great looker's but havent a clue what to do next...!!!!

The spec of the SSP600 say's it has the power to drive my speakers without a problem... or do I need an amp or two??? or will I be OK until I decide to Upgrade?

Any help would be appreciated!!!

cheers

James

ohhh...dude.


Yes you need an amp. Are you wanting 5.1 or just 2 channel? Since the SSP 600 is surround processor I am assuming you want to power 5 speakers. I hate to break it to you, but you need an amp... probably a classe 5100 or 5200 to match your processor and speakers.

You do realize the SSP 600 you bought wont do much for you in terms be blu ray right?


Let use know your speaker setup and listening/watching preferences and we can help you out with what you need.

[jimarchy]

Thanks Wettou...

But the back of the SSP has the speaker outputs... Like I said I am new to all this..

It is a processor with a 200w x 8 Ohms rating... so surely I can plug my speakers in and enjoy the sound?... sorry.. still waiting for my speaker cables to arrive!!!

So, I have a processor... and now I need an Amp? Or maybe three?

Yes, I fell in love with its looks... Why is it that when you get it home it doesn't do what you want it too do????????

Ce La Vie!!!

[jimarchy]

Nolan...

Oh Bugger....

Blu Ray and HDMI wise I am fine with that... I am wanting 5.1 and 2 channel, I like movies and listening to stereo too. I can always put my picture direct and sound via the SSP.

Yes... Ohh Dude... what have I done...?

I know you experts will be looking down on this fool... but hey! Have I done anything right?

One New SSP... for sale perhaps?

[Nolan B]

Nolan...

Oh Bugger....

Blu Ray and HDMI wise I am fine with that... I am wanting 5.1 and 2 channel, I like movies and listening to stereo too. I can always put my picture direct and sound via the SSP.

Yes... Ohh Dude... what have I done...?

I know you experts will be looking down on this fool... but hey! Have I done anything right?

One New SSP... for sale perhaps?

you arnt a fool, and you are starting at a point that puts you in a pretty good spot. I will say, however, when it comes to Blu Ray your pressor will not be able to do as much as you will probably like.

running you video direct to display and audio to your SSP for BD and DVD will work ok. You can also run your video through your SSP 600 if you use component. Most BDs will be down converted to DD or DTS and will still sound great. Video, of course, will look as good as your display can handle. IMO this is what you need to do.

1.) You need to by an amp. What you bought is a processor not a reciever. A receiver has an amp and processing in one box, a processor is a seperate box then the amp and having a processor and amp creates a better result then a receiver. If it was me I would look at the Classe 5100 or 5200 because they will match your speakers, current SSP 600 and the look of your speakers perfectly. Yes it will be expensive, but the nice thing about buying a Classe amp is you will likely never need to change or upgrade it. The dont become obsolete.


2.) Buy a universal player for music and movies. If I were you I would wait until the new Oppo BD83 gets released. For $500 likely you will get the best player money can buy. It will send a digital signal for CD and DVD for your music and SD DVDs that your SSP 600 will make sound like gold. The Oppo also have the ability to decode the new audio formats for BD (Dolby Digital True HD, DTS Master Audio, and PCM) and send them through the analog outputs which an hook up to your SSP 600.

You can start and finish there assuming you have all the speakers and subwoofer you need.


Welcome to the forum and dont forget to post pictures.

[style]

Hi jimarchy,

Keep the Ssp600 (had a good price? think and I hope to you) ops:
a CA5100 - CA5200 and goes paradise ....

BD not to worry too much. with the combo ssp600&Ca5x00 gi ve you a very good sound..

If you are in the U.S. have many BluRay discs encoding dts HD, plus dd ... but think in German, French, Italian, ... Most of BluRay discs don't have the track dts-hd ... only dts!!!
So don't lose nothing / zero!!

Like Nolan wrote with a oppo player (or others..) via analog you can by-pass
"all" and benefit of the new decoding... :T


SSP600 don't have HDMI but is not so a big problem...go direct from yours players (dvd, BD,..) to the plasma with a HDMI cable - use a COAX. cable from the player to the SSP600.

now speakers: XT4 as front well? I dont can this speaker but will give you good sound.
what you go use as center? (and rear alwys a XT4 or?)
is money is not a problem keep the XT4 for a future as very good rear...
is not buy a center XT serie (all front same..= better sound)
If you good with a complet XT serie speaker the CA5100 make you very happy.
people say from a new XT8?! but I don't believe in so one new piece...never say never sell a pair of XT4 for this "new XT8?!?" but is come a XT8 a new XTC(enter) will be too released....--> xt8, xtc2, xt4 - 4x Xt4 and Xtc)
a center XTC is perfect but a htmX can too be good integret...
(like wroote dimension room? ratio music/movie, dedicat room....)


For the subwoofer: music stereo NO sub. (For ME), for movie or a Velodyne, JLAudio...or a couple PV1 from B&W... i don't not what is your budget...

but a good system will be made piece from piece :T


hope this help.

greetings from Switzerland
style

[jimarchy]

Style / Nolan - Thanks Guys, and a happy new year too!!!

Money is an issue... I aint an Abramovich!!! But the way shares have been going maybe he is more like me!!??? skint!!!

I love the SSP's looks and Yes, I was told once upon a time to buy the best Amp You could afford... SO I will have to save up and buy a 5100 / 5200 I guess... but like you said... If you buy good gear then you dont need to buy again...

The Oppo... Yes, I have heard its on its way and I will be auditioning it when it out... looks a great buy too.

So... I bought a processor..... not a receiver... and not an amp.... what are those Pre Amp things anyway??? Look Guys... I have an SSP600, 4 x B&W XT4's and a XTC on the way, and one day I will buy a PV1... very sexy. So, I need to buy an Amp, I will look for a good deal on a 5200 me thinks and an Oppo.. So if I buy them can I sit back and enjoy my music?

Cheers Y'all!

James

[Nolan B]

So if I buy them can I sit back and enjoy my music?

Cheers Y'all!

James

yup...and enjoy you will. All you need from there is cables and music.

[Briz vegas]

I feel for the original poster but could not help myself

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=dSINO6MKtco

:B

[Briz vegas]

I should try and be a little bit more helpful.

You have good speakers and a top quality processor which is probably a little above your speakers normal partnering equipment. Not a problem really as you got a great deal.

What is your budget from here (ball park)?

The Classe amps would not be cheap, although you seem to be excellent at getting a good deal so maybe this will not present a problem.

If you find the Classe amps are beyond your current budget I would look for something like a used Rotel 1077. Seven channels of quality amplification so you will have 2 spare (they may come in handy in the future for biamping - but thats an added complexity that you do not need to think about right now). A five channel amp would do just as well but the 1077 is a good deal with a great reputation for home theatre applications.

So basically what you will need is

1. DVD or blue ray player
2. HDMI cable to get the digital signal to your processor
3. Classe processor (in the bag - very nice too)
4. interconnect cables for each channel/speaker to feed 5 channels from the preamp/processor to the power amp
5 Your power amp (Rotel 1077 as I said would be a good match to your current speakers)
6 Speaker cables by 5 - 1 to each speaker - shotgun is fine(2 wires + and -), although biwire (2 + and 2 -, ie 4 all up, at the speaker end) is better if your XTs have this facility (4 posts)
7 XT B&Ws (very nice for the intended purpose)
8 TV or some sort of display device

Awesome - a full high quality home theatre experience

Enjoy

[Briz vegas]

I just checked - no biwire option on XT4. You only need shotgun cables (a single positive and a single negative wire). If you ordered biwire you simply put the two + together and the 2 - wires together at the speaker end (depending on the sort of plugs at that end- this could be simple or a soldering job - lets hope you ordered shotgun configuration)

I wonder why no biwire. I guess they thought that for HT applications that the punters would not be interested in this feature. Its on the outgoing 700 series.

[style]

Hi,

for the XT4 a bi-wiring was very interesting....but hey....
whit a HMS Perfect Match Bi-Wiring you can have a good sound :W

I dont not of this "gear" pay really with a great performance but sure a test will be interesting...

The Rotel Rmb1077 is a good power ampli but with a SSP600 sorry a CA5100 give you a combo for long, long time.

or

the Rmb1077 and whan if you find a second hand, or a classe with a good price buy it. --> rmb1077 and a CA3200/2200.....
well a good price from one CA3200 you can go ditect to the CA5100 and :T .

the XT are not easy to be drived (88bd? - cabinet -...) well ampli in your life ..CA5100.

style

[jimarchy]

Briz vegas - Your Youtube clip made me squirm... very funny!!!! That is me...

Style & Briz - Thanks for your advice. The website I bought my Classe from is www.audiogon.com, new and used website like ebay. I got a great deal as it was just before Christmas, mainly a US based audio website but worth a look.

My budget... for the amp is about US$3,000. I would like to go for a Classe CA5100 or maybe the 5200 but haven't seen anything in my current budget. The 5200's are selling used for over US$5,000 at the moment. Possible upgrade route in future if the price is right... with the ongoing credit crunch there will be some good deals on top end equipment me thinks.

Rotel 1077? I could go the Rotel route and eventually look at upgrading later, used prices look reasonable.... US$ 1,200 or a RMB 1095 & RMB 1098 for US$1,200 each...?

I think your Rotel Route is a sensible option, I was demo'd my XT4's on a Rotel System(among others) before I bought them.

cheers

James

[htsteve]

jimarchy,

I tend to agree that if you can find a Classe amp for $3k that fit's your needs, then that's the best option. Like this for example (it's not a 5100 or 5200, but still Classe).

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....-150-Home-Thea


However, the Rotel option is very good. Rotel's have excellent performance for the money. Here is one in your price range that has plenty of power, which will benefit the XT4's. Just a thought.


http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/Pro...ils.htm?Id=475


Hope this helps.

[style]

@htsteve,

I agree, Rotel have excellent performance for the money. :T
i have had 2x RB1092 & 1x RB1091 = 191 for the center and the 1092 one for front an the other for the rear.....
(B&W serie 8)
good perfomance for the money like wrote...than I have had a McIntosh MC205 very differnt vs. teh Rotel but the Classe is really anther liga.
hey, the Mc sound good!! but I like the Classe much more....and if you have a pre from Classe if you can go with a CA5100.
A Combo SSP600 & MC205 is not my best choice!

Style

[jimarchy]

Ok, I think I have decided to go with a Rotel set up... until I can upgrade to a Classe 5100 or 5200... Just checking out on the best prices for a RMB 1077 & also a RMB1575.... will keep you posted on how I get on.

Cheers Guys for your help!!

James

[jimarchy]

Just bought a Rotel RMB 1575 for US$1,650... on ebay... brand new. Now just need to wait for the Oppo BD83 to be released... and I can get myself sorted out.... Ohh, and buy some more cables to connect everything together... be preparred for photos of the back of my equipment and some stupid questions very soon...

This is an expensive business isnt it? It would be cheaper buying a guitar and learning to sing!!

Happy New Year!!!

[wettou]

Just bought a Rotel RMB 1575 for US$1,650... on ebay... brand new. Now just need to wait for the Oppo BD83 to be released... and I can get myself sorted out.... Ohh, and buy some more cables to connect everything together... be preparred for photos of the back of my equipment and some stupid questions very soon...

This is an expensive business isnt it? It would be cheaper buying a guitar and learning to sing!!

Happy New Year!!!

Yes it is a very expensive hobby, but once you are set you can enjoy the music and movies....:T I try to make my system last seven years at least

[Briz vegas]

Sounds like you are back on track. Enjoy !

[jimarchy]

OK, got the speaker cables(Shotgun), got the interconnect cables to connect the Classe Processor with the Rotel 5 channel amp (5 x RCA good quality connector cables)... and now I have a question regarding connecting my DVD player in to the Processor.

The Classe does not have a HDMI connector so I will plug my HDMI from my DVD player direct to the TV and connect my audio via the processor.... however, what is the best way of doing this?

My Current DVD / SACD player is a Denon DVD 1940(whch I intend to upgrade to the new Oppo BD83). Audio output options are:-

1) Digital Output x 2 (optical and Coaxial option x 1 cable)
2) Audio Out (L & R channel - RCA connections x 2 cables)
3) 5.1ch Analog Audio Out.... (for which I will need another 5 RCA connector cables..!! More $$$$)

According to the Classe documents, the analog audio inputs are not processed but go through direct to the speakers...the processor only provides volume control via this route... hence, I assume this to be the best sound quality route....??? is that correct?

Or, Do I us the Digital output route for playing DVD's and connect the Audio Out (2 channel RCA) for music playback. Is there a big difference between the digital output route and the Analog route?

I will be using the system 50/50 for music & movies and want to avoid wasting money on interconnectors if possible.

cheers

James

[wettou]

OK, got the speaker cables(Shotgun), got the interconnect cables to connect the Classe Processor with the Rotel 5 channel amp (5 x RCA good quality connector cables)... and now I have a question regarding connecting my DVD player in to the Processor.

The Classe does not have a HDMI connector so I will plug my HDMI from my DVD player direct to the TV and connect my audio via the processor.... however, what is the best way of doing this?

My Current DVD / SACD player is a Denon DVD 1940(whch I intend to upgrade to the new Oppo BD83). Audio output options are:-

1) Digital Output x 2 (optical and Coaxial option x 1 cable)
2) Audio Out (L & R channel - RCA connections x 2 cables)
3) 5.1ch Analog Audio Out.... (for which I will need another 5 RCA connector cables..!! More $$$$)

According to the Classe documents, the analog audio inputs are not processed but go through direct to the speakers...the processor only provides volume control via this route... hence, I assume this to be the best sound quality route....??? is that correct?

Or, Do I us the Digital output route for playing DVD's and connect the Audio Out (2 channel RCA) for music playback. Is there a big difference between the digital output route and the Analog route?

I will be using the system 50/50 for music & movies and want to avoid wasting money on interconnectors if possible.

cheers

James

I don't blame you DIGITAL is the way to go your processor will do the heavy lifting

[Briz vegas]

I agree. If you were running a $6000 CD player it might be different, but in your case the best results will come by letting your Classe convert digital to analogue via the coaxial link, which is generally marginally better than optical.