CLASSE SSP-800 Surround SOUND PREAMP/PROCESSOR

The surround sound processor is the core of a high-end home theater system. It is the conduit through which all source signals flow and it performs the critical tasks of decoding various audio formats, converting digital signals to analog, and then pre-amplifying the analog signals in as pure a manner as possible. It must allow high definition video to pass through uncorrupted. A surround sound processer can either limit or gloriously reveal the full potential of every component in the home theater system. Proliferation of the latest high-definition audio and video technologies served as the inspiration for a new challenge: the creation of the definitive SSP—a surround sound processor to set the standard for the high definition era. The result is the SSP-800, Classé’s statement preamp/processor.

The SSP-800 is a ten-channel preamp/processor, offering both balanced and single-ended connections for all channels. Audio Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is handled by Texas Instruments processors, which operate in 64-bit double precision. Floating point arithmetic is used for all audio signal calculations to ensure the most accurate results possible. All bass management filters, level adjustments and parametric EQ filters also benefit from the added precision. Two DSPs, each rated at 2800 MIPS (Million Instructions per Second) provide HD Audio decoding and the power to handle a vast array of post processing features at full resolution.

Powerful DSP is only one of many of the SSP-800’s outstanding qualities. Throughout the SSP-800 are examples of cutting edge technology and superior design techniques, employed in the service of better sound. We evaluate performance by listening to music, which remains the most reliable method of judging sound quality. In fact, no surround processor can accurately reproduce movie sound if it fails to reproduce music properly. At Classé, our first priority is developing components that perform exceptionally well with music—this is our heritage from the first component we manufactured more than thirty years ago. We then turn our attention to processor decoding capabilities and developing features that enhance flexibility and in-room performance.

In addition to high performance, quality and technology, the SSP-800 offers flexibility to handle a wide range of real world applications. Its ten-channel design creates the possibility of configuring two channels for additional subwoofers, as mirrors of the front left and right channels for bi-amplifying, or delivering audio to a separate room or system. Five-band manual parametric equalization is provided for each of the ten channels to help tune the system to its environment. Menu driven front panel controls allow a high degree of customization for an ideal user experience.

The SSP-800 has found its way into the AV systems of countless industry professionals and enthusiasts around the world.* It has met its design objective, becoming the de facto standard for  multichannel processing.

Model	SSP-800
Inputs and outputs
HDMI 1.4 Component Composite COAX Optical Analog XLR Analog RCA out DC trigger out IR CAN Bus USB RS-232	5 in / 2 out 2 in / 1 out 2 in 4 in / 1 out 4 in / 1 out 1 pair in / 5 pair out 1 set 7.1 in / 2 pair in / 5 pair 2 1 in / 1 out 1 in / 1 out 1 1
Video measurements
Input impedance	75 ohms Composite / component
Output impedance	75 ohms Component
HDMI	Fully 1.4 compliant supporting ARC, HEC, 3D video up to 1080p @ 24 fps, 36-bit deep color and xvYCC
Audio measurements
Maximum output level	8vrms Single ended 15vrms Balanced
Maximum input level	2vrms Single ended via DSP 6vrms Single ended via bypass 4vrms Balanced via DSP 12vrms Balanced via bypass
Output impedance Input impedance	56 ohms 100kohms
Total harmonic distortion	0.001% Digital source / Bypassed analog source 0.002% Processed analog source
Frequency response	20Hz – 200kHz <0.1dB Stereo analog bypass 20Hz – 20kHz <0.2dB All other sources
Signal to noise ratio	102dB Bypassed analog source 100dB Processed analog source 105dB Digital source
Audio formats	Dolby Digital Surround EX Dolby Digital 5.1 Dolby Digital Plus Dolby TrueHD DTS-ES discrete DTS 3/2/1 DTS 96/24 DTS-HD High Resolution Audio DTS-HD Master Audio 24bit/32-192kHz PCM
Post processing modes	Dolby pro logic IIx DTS-ES matrix DTS Neo:6 Mono Mono plus Stereo (downmix) Music plus Movie plus Party
Video conversion	Composite / s video to component and HDMI Component (upto 720p-1080i) to component and HDMI HDMI to HDMI
Dimensions
Width (including faceplate) Width (excluding faceplate) Depth (excluding connectors) Height Gross weight Net weight	17.5” (445mm) 16.5” (419mm) (excluding connectors) 6.75” (172mm) 29 lb (13 kg) 38 lb (17