Classé Audio make some of the finest hi-fi components in the world. Unfortunately, they’re not affordable for most people, since they are prohibitively expensive. Until now. Classé has announced the availability of a new series of components called Sigma, featuring a 7.1 channel Surround Sound Preamp/Processor, called Sigma SSP and two amplifiers, the AMP2 and AMP5, rated at 2x200W and 5x200W into 8 ohms respectively. This new series has been developed to offer the acoustic quality that Classé is famous for, but at a more affordable price.
“High-end is about passion, discovery, experience and technical exploration. It’s not just who can make the most expensive things.” said Dave Nauber, President of Classé. “Making more affordable products that are truly high-end is a greater challenge, which is why there is a gap in the market between offerings from the mass-market CE companies and the high-end brands. We chose to exploit our cost advantage as part of the B&W Group to fill this void with some exceptional new products.”
The Sigma SSP has been optimized as a high-performance stereo preamp/processor with video switching, multichannel processing and bass management included. Connections for USB and Ethernet streaming augment the basic HDMI, coax and optical digital inputs. Balanced and single-ended analog inputs, including an optional phono stage, make the Sigma SSP a truly versatile preamp/processor.
According to Classé, the amplifier models are derived from their breakthrough Delta series CA-D200; a Class D topology that addresses the problem of dead-band-time—the time when both halves of the amplifier are off—once thought to be the Achilles’ heel of Class D designs.
The Classé solution achieves an astonishingly low 3 nanosecond dead-band-time, dramatically lowering distortion and enabling numerous other design advantages. The result is said to be superbly musical sonic performance along with other class D benefits like small size, low heat dissipation and high efficiency.
The Classé Sigma series is available in October, priced at $5,000 for Sigma SSP, $5,000 for AMP5 and $3,500 for AMP2.
