Question on Classe Sigma SSP AV Preamp and Amp5
 

Just posted in a prior thread that I am having problems with my 6+ year old SSP-800. If it is going to be expensive to fix, I was thinking of changing over to a combination of the Classe Sigma SSP AV Preamp and a Classe Amp 5. This would replace my SSP-800 and Classe CA-5200.

Does anyone use this combination and if so, what are your thoughts? I like the idea of removing the 130 pound CA-5200 and replacing with the 30 pound Amp 5. Getting older and the CA-5200 is a beast!

I have a classe sigma Ssp and had the amp5. I use the sigma Ssp for 2 channel movies and 2 channel audio as my DAC for digital audio. It's great! I use it for Chromecast, blue ray/CD and digital audio.

The amp5 was great as well, it powered my center (Wilson center 3) and rears however my theatre room got replaced to be a partial play room for my new son so I sold the amp5 and down changed to 2 channel.

I didn't try any other amp for the center or rears to compare but at the price point I was looking, it wasn't worth it to me to try anything else when they sounded great.

I did compare the classe cp800 to the sigma Ssp for music and I couldn't hear any difference in blind testing over a weekend so I went with the Ssp for more adaptability.

Hope this helps

Thank you! I have been very happy with my Classe gear. Nice to know that you did not hear a difference between the Sigma SSP and CP800 for music. Lucky enough that my Classe dealer is about an hour away so I can go down and check them out.

The biggest difference between the SSP-800 and the Sigma SSP, for music, is that the latter lacks a multichannel analog input. IMHO.

Kal, I know you use sigma monos now for your reference. How do they compare to the A31 you've used before? How about to JC1's? I was planing on just getting an A31 to run the fronts but a trio of sigma monos is an appealing option just not sure about the sound compared to an amp that has been proven for great sq at a very reasonable price.

Xtrmspl... Welcome to AA! :wave:

I am very happy with the Sigma Monos. They are not as soft as (harder than?) the A31 especially in the bass and more detailed, too. They are a super match to the 802D3s.