Upgrade 2011
In 2010 I had started improved cables in my system and after trying several brands settled on siltech and powerBis for power cords, and audioquest for inter-connects and speaker cables. I was asking myself about my options for the rear speakers and also if going even higher in the audioquest range would produce good result. Fortunately the audio store I am dealing with had all the samples for me to try over several week-ends.
For the two surround (one 988 and one 63) I settled on a long 9m XLR cable and to move the Bryston 3BSST close to the speakers. Of course XLR exists to support longer runs and that way I could use two of the 3 mont-blanc speaker cables for the two surrounds. For now the amp is on the floor but eventually I will purchase a small low table.
On the first top picture, the back of the 3BSST, in green the two XLR columbia, lower in the middle the siltech power cable and on each side the 2 mont-blanc. Mmmmm I think the cable are worth more than the amp! On the second picture one of the 63 with the mont-blanc cable (wth a nice WBT connector).
For the two surround (one 988 and one 63) I settled on a long 9m XLR cable and to move the Bryston 3BSST close to the speakers. Of course XLR exists to support longer runs and that way I could use two of the 3 mont-blanc speaker cables for the two surrounds. For now the amp is on the floor but eventually I will purchase a small low table.
On the first top picture, the back of the 3BSST, in green the two XLR columbia, lower in the middle the siltech power cable and on each side the 2 mont-blanc. Mmmmm I think the cable are worth more than the amp! On the second picture one of the 63 with the mont-blanc cable (wth a nice WBT connector).
How to evaluate improvement to the sound of the surround speaker. Of course it is possible to switch input and simply send a stereo system to them and compare. But I prefer to choose multi-channel music with a lot of content in the surround channels. For example the Telarc SACD 'Latin' of the Los Angeles guitar Quartet where the 4 guitars are in one speaker each, many of my favorite TACET recording of the magnificent Berlioz Requiem of Norrington. So I was going for even better integration of the image between all speakers more details and improving a bit bass response and dynamics.
For the 2905 I could have simply bought more mont-blanc and colorado, but of course why settle for the same?, why not got further. Some readings on the net got me curious about the combination of Sky interconnect and volcano speaker cable (with sky high price of course!). Now we are talking about real high end stuff. So I tried them in stereo and multi-channel. I do not think the volcano are very practical, they are so big and heavy that they are hard to manipulate.
For the 2905 I could have simply bought more mont-blanc and colorado, but of course why settle for the same?, why not got further. Some readings on the net got me curious about the combination of Sky interconnect and volcano speaker cable (with sky high price of course!). Now we are talking about real high end stuff. So I tried them in stereo and multi-channel. I do not think the volcano are very practical, they are so big and heavy that they are hard to manipulate.
When I first tried the volcano, the bass was better right away, more authoritative, an the image had more depth. But to be honest at 3x the price of the Mont-Blanc the difference was a tad smaller to justify the price difference. It is always difficult to describe sound differences in words but I would say the overall color of the sound was the same. I put back the Mont-Blanc and replace the Colorado by the Sky (again a 3x price increase). The difference was a lot bigger, in particular toward instrument color and texture, it is like each instrument was real, less grain. The other improvement was again about the overall soundstage, QUAD ESL disappear and it does not feel like the music is coming directly from them, well this effect was a lot better now.
I put back the volcano back and wow! The improvement was again important. The bass improvement was magnified and the music was even more sparkling. To me it seems like the interconnect was the weak link and now with a better one, the perfomance improvement of the volcano could be demonstrated. What richness in the sound of a cello or double-bass and wonderfull intensity in the violing playing of Ann Shopie Mutter. The best analogy would be perfect color balance in a photo by a professional.
On the picture of the back of the 4BSST2 you can see the sky in blue (on top) the siltech power cable under. And the big volcano on each side. These are so heavy that for the rigth channel they can come in straigth (again beautiful WBT connectors). But for the left side because they come from the front it was simpler to make them come in from the top. So again the cable cost is bigger than that of the amp!
A final touch for the cable, I had a long nameless cable to the sub, so I tested a SUB-1 cable from audioquest. I tried it and again the difference was easy to hear. It was related to the initial transient at the beginning of a note (for example from a tympany or a bass drum). That initial hit is a lot cleaner and precise, this is most apparent on symphonic music. This is a subtle improvement compared to everything else but all these details adds up to make the whole even better.
I put back the volcano back and wow! The improvement was again important. The bass improvement was magnified and the music was even more sparkling. To me it seems like the interconnect was the weak link and now with a better one, the perfomance improvement of the volcano could be demonstrated. What richness in the sound of a cello or double-bass and wonderfull intensity in the violing playing of Ann Shopie Mutter. The best analogy would be perfect color balance in a photo by a professional.
On the picture of the back of the 4BSST2 you can see the sky in blue (on top) the siltech power cable under. And the big volcano on each side. These are so heavy that for the rigth channel they can come in straigth (again beautiful WBT connectors). But for the left side because they come from the front it was simpler to make them come in from the top. So again the cable cost is bigger than that of the amp!
A final touch for the cable, I had a long nameless cable to the sub, so I tested a SUB-1 cable from audioquest. I tried it and again the difference was easy to hear. It was related to the initial transient at the beginning of a note (for example from a tympany or a bass drum). That initial hit is a lot cleaner and precise, this is most apparent on symphonic music. This is a subtle improvement compared to everything else but all these details adds up to make the whole even better.
Classé SSP-800
I bought my Integra DTC 9.8 4 years ago. I finally had a perfect processor to play Blu-ray, SACD and DVD-A through HDMI. But with all the other improvements in my system it was time to check if a newer and more expensive processor would boost up my system to another level.
The obvious choice for me would have been a Bryston SP3. I love their amps and I am sure the SP3 will be (or is by the time you read this) and excellent sounding pre-processor. But the release of this unit has been delayed many times, and at the start of the summer I cancelled my deposit to the great disappointment of my favorite audio shop.
The other obvious choice was the Classé SSP-800. This unit has been around since 2008, has a ton of favorable review and was upgrade to the latest and greatest (e.g. HDMI 1.4). I live in a suburb of Montreal Canada and Classé is headquartered around Montreal too. So why not?
Unfortunately I will have to come back to a subject I have already ranted about: the quasi impossibility to get a serious multi-channel demo at an audio store. So one side the snobbish stereo demo with a 10K 2w tube amp (OK OK they sound good but not with my speakers, relax) or the 'home theater' demo very loud very crappy with a beautiful gigantic screen. So I phoned the three Classé dealers around Montreal and none of them could make me listen to the unit with a relatively good set-up. Sorry but I find unacceptable that audiophile cannot hear good multi-channel music.
Fortunately I decided to send an e-mail to Classé, and a few e-mails and phone call later one of the 3 stores I had already phoned did accept to make a 'special' set-up for me. So about two weeks later I was sitting in front of a system with big B&W 802 speakers, humongous screen a Classé SSP-800 a 5 channel classé amp and a nice DENON universal player which I could use to play DVD-A, SACD and Blu-ray.
Before I discuss sound, a bit about picture quality on some of my concerts-Opera Blu-ray. The porjector was a JVC DLA- X3 was at least twice better than what I have (in terms of colors, contrast clarity of the image, etc. The ineluctable march of progress!
This was audibly a system of the caliber of what I have, of course with QUADs I have more details and depth, here I had more bass and dynamics. I could understand somebody to prefer this set-up to mine. But in my case, I could listen to my familiar TACET, pentatone, BIS and others and appreciate the quality of the Classé SSP-800 for example in extracting more information from familiar recordings. Of course I was happy to order the unit and one week later....
The obvious choice for me would have been a Bryston SP3. I love their amps and I am sure the SP3 will be (or is by the time you read this) and excellent sounding pre-processor. But the release of this unit has been delayed many times, and at the start of the summer I cancelled my deposit to the great disappointment of my favorite audio shop.
The other obvious choice was the Classé SSP-800. This unit has been around since 2008, has a ton of favorable review and was upgrade to the latest and greatest (e.g. HDMI 1.4). I live in a suburb of Montreal Canada and Classé is headquartered around Montreal too. So why not?
Unfortunately I will have to come back to a subject I have already ranted about: the quasi impossibility to get a serious multi-channel demo at an audio store. So one side the snobbish stereo demo with a 10K 2w tube amp (OK OK they sound good but not with my speakers, relax) or the 'home theater' demo very loud very crappy with a beautiful gigantic screen. So I phoned the three Classé dealers around Montreal and none of them could make me listen to the unit with a relatively good set-up. Sorry but I find unacceptable that audiophile cannot hear good multi-channel music.
Fortunately I decided to send an e-mail to Classé, and a few e-mails and phone call later one of the 3 stores I had already phoned did accept to make a 'special' set-up for me. So about two weeks later I was sitting in front of a system with big B&W 802 speakers, humongous screen a Classé SSP-800 a 5 channel classé amp and a nice DENON universal player which I could use to play DVD-A, SACD and Blu-ray.
Before I discuss sound, a bit about picture quality on some of my concerts-Opera Blu-ray. The porjector was a JVC DLA- X3 was at least twice better than what I have (in terms of colors, contrast clarity of the image, etc. The ineluctable march of progress!
This was audibly a system of the caliber of what I have, of course with QUADs I have more details and depth, here I had more bass and dynamics. I could understand somebody to prefer this set-up to mine. But in my case, I could listen to my familiar TACET, pentatone, BIS and others and appreciate the quality of the Classé SSP-800 for example in extracting more information from familiar recordings. Of course I was happy to order the unit and one week later....
I should then say that I was able to install everything in 10 minutes and the door of paradise opened. Unfortunately it was a Friday night after a hard week at work I was probably too tired to install a new audio video processor. I had no problem connecting everything power the unit and get excellent stereo sound (more on this later). Not a catastrophe but I found the manual counter-intuitive with a simple run-down of menu but no advice on how everything gets together.
Fortunately after a good nigth sleep and some search on internet audio forums and after one hour everything was working fine. My main issue was with the Integra you had to use a separate set-up menu. With the Classé you can play music and simply hear the effect of the change you make as you go. There are many features but one of my favorite is you can set a default processing mode for each input for both multi-channel and two channel meterial. This is really nice when using the same player for both SACD, DVD-A and CD. It is possible to configure many speakers set-up, in my case I created two: one with the sub and bass-management, one with no sub and every speaker full range for smaller scale music. In both instances there are 6 speakers set-up with proper distance and volume calibration.
The Classé has no video processing function it simply extract the video signal to pass it intact to the next component (in my case my projector). It has been upgraded to support HDMI 1.4 (e.g a 3D video signal). But this unit is all about sound quality and good digital to analog conversion. It does not have a headphone output (I do use it late at night when my son is sleeping) so I had to think of adding an headphone amp. Two AUX output can be used for this function, and the Classé can take a multi-channel signal and make it a 2 channel one (this is useful when playing a video game with the headphones). As usual not much about this in the manual but plenty on the internet forums. Another small limitation is that the unit does not accept DSD natively (although it is an option since HDMI 1.2). I had to switch the Cambridge to output a (88.2Khz) PCM signal instead.
Fortunately after a good nigth sleep and some search on internet audio forums and after one hour everything was working fine. My main issue was with the Integra you had to use a separate set-up menu. With the Classé you can play music and simply hear the effect of the change you make as you go. There are many features but one of my favorite is you can set a default processing mode for each input for both multi-channel and two channel meterial. This is really nice when using the same player for both SACD, DVD-A and CD. It is possible to configure many speakers set-up, in my case I created two: one with the sub and bass-management, one with no sub and every speaker full range for smaller scale music. In both instances there are 6 speakers set-up with proper distance and volume calibration.
The Classé has no video processing function it simply extract the video signal to pass it intact to the next component (in my case my projector). It has been upgraded to support HDMI 1.4 (e.g a 3D video signal). But this unit is all about sound quality and good digital to analog conversion. It does not have a headphone output (I do use it late at night when my son is sleeping) so I had to think of adding an headphone amp. Two AUX output can be used for this function, and the Classé can take a multi-channel signal and make it a 2 channel one (this is useful when playing a video game with the headphones). As usual not much about this in the manual but plenty on the internet forums. Another small limitation is that the unit does not accept DSD natively (although it is an option since HDMI 1.2). I had to switch the Cambridge to output a (88.2Khz) PCM signal instead.
Now about the sound! Let's start by stereo. I have friends in my local sound system club with stuff like Nagra CDP, Nagra tube amp, Sonus Faber, etc. The sound of a famous recording like Rutter Requiem on Reference Recording was full of color details and a good image with the soloist in front the orchestra and the choir behind (e.g. at least 3 clear plane). Now with the classé I am near wat I am hearing on their system. Attention, I am saying I am at 80% of that in stereo, I can understand for some people that 20% left is what it is all about and they would never compromise the way I am. But at the risk of repeating myself with 2 QUAD 2905 I can live with that compromise when listening to stereo.
For mutti-channel, of course for me this is simply the best sound system I have ever heard. Attention I feel you scepticism, I am not saying I have the best sound system in the world.I a saying in the sense that this is the system I chose piece by piece of course I am happy with the result. And with the classé it is like everything is falling into place to its full potential.
The first and by far biggest improvement is related to the overall image and all the speakers integration. A good example of this is the only SACD from Reference Recording. In my favorite part 'Sunday morning' from the four sea interludes by Britten the tubular bells are so real, I feel the physical presence of the woodwind playing high and finally the brass are like a wall of sound at the back of the orchestra. Everything is more vivid.
The second surprise was about dynamics. I am not takling about absolute loudness, but more about transient impulse, for example a trumpet attacking a note full force or a hard hit from a drum stick. It is a bit like the amps are breathing easier and the Quads are faster than ever.
Now the other good improvements are what you would expect out of better digital analog conversion: better instrument colors and harmonics and more details like the sound of Pepe Romero sliding his fingers on the string of his guitar. I think my system is now in a good state in the sense that all components are doing a good job. To further than this I would need to win the loto, but in the mean time I will enjoy what I have.
For the headphone amp, a quick search gave me several references to Peachtree audio and also several SSP-800 owners had already complemented their unit with Peachtree products. In addition to simply accepting analog input and sending the signal to an headphone the product contains a Ipod interface (which I do not need) and an integrated DAC that can accept high resolution audio (in stereo of course). So I can use the unit both to get a signal from the Classé to the headphone out, or in reverse to convert a digital signal and send it back to the classé through a USB or SPDIF entry. This is a choice that make sense because the Classé has excellent analog input (this was the weak spot of the integra so I never bothered).
So of course I wanted to try High resolution FLAC files from HDTrack and to play them from a portable through USB in the peachtree to the Classé, Bryston 4BSST2 and my Quad 2905. In that case the Classé is in pure analog mode so no processing (of course) but this means the 2905 are running full range. The first one was a 88.2Khz recording (e.g. probably from the stereo layer of an SACD) of Bach's violin concerto with Hilary Hahn. Ouch! Very bad, no depth, no color no life, what a disaster! OK so maybe this set-up is no good! Of course here I am discussing the very poor sound quality, this is not a comment on the musician.
Fortunately my second choice (another 88.2Khz recording) of Frank Martin's music contains one of my favorite piece (the modern concerto for harpsichord and small orchestra). This was a lot better, the main instrument has its caracteristic delicate metallic sound seeming to float in space, the strings are rich, the woodwinds vivid the horns fulfill the space, this sounds a lot better than a CD for sure! So another way for me to listen to good music.
Of course I played games comparing CD played through HDMI, through coax (SPDIF) and copied losless to FLAC and replayed through the peach tree and the Classé. The peachtree, Classé combination is not as good for large scale music, but for small scale work the two QUADs without subs have an intimacy that I like a lot. Another fun thing has been to rediscover old CDs.
But my primary love is still glorious multi-channel like my favorite TACET recordigns. So my system has reached a very satisfying 'plateau' and I intend to enjoy it to the max, whenever I have a bit of free time.
For mutti-channel, of course for me this is simply the best sound system I have ever heard. Attention I feel you scepticism, I am not saying I have the best sound system in the world.I a saying in the sense that this is the system I chose piece by piece of course I am happy with the result. And with the classé it is like everything is falling into place to its full potential.
The first and by far biggest improvement is related to the overall image and all the speakers integration. A good example of this is the only SACD from Reference Recording. In my favorite part 'Sunday morning' from the four sea interludes by Britten the tubular bells are so real, I feel the physical presence of the woodwind playing high and finally the brass are like a wall of sound at the back of the orchestra. Everything is more vivid.
The second surprise was about dynamics. I am not takling about absolute loudness, but more about transient impulse, for example a trumpet attacking a note full force or a hard hit from a drum stick. It is a bit like the amps are breathing easier and the Quads are faster than ever.
Now the other good improvements are what you would expect out of better digital analog conversion: better instrument colors and harmonics and more details like the sound of Pepe Romero sliding his fingers on the string of his guitar. I think my system is now in a good state in the sense that all components are doing a good job. To further than this I would need to win the loto, but in the mean time I will enjoy what I have.
For the headphone amp, a quick search gave me several references to Peachtree audio and also several SSP-800 owners had already complemented their unit with Peachtree products. In addition to simply accepting analog input and sending the signal to an headphone the product contains a Ipod interface (which I do not need) and an integrated DAC that can accept high resolution audio (in stereo of course). So I can use the unit both to get a signal from the Classé to the headphone out, or in reverse to convert a digital signal and send it back to the classé through a USB or SPDIF entry. This is a choice that make sense because the Classé has excellent analog input (this was the weak spot of the integra so I never bothered).
So of course I wanted to try High resolution FLAC files from HDTrack and to play them from a portable through USB in the peachtree to the Classé, Bryston 4BSST2 and my Quad 2905. In that case the Classé is in pure analog mode so no processing (of course) but this means the 2905 are running full range. The first one was a 88.2Khz recording (e.g. probably from the stereo layer of an SACD) of Bach's violin concerto with Hilary Hahn. Ouch! Very bad, no depth, no color no life, what a disaster! OK so maybe this set-up is no good! Of course here I am discussing the very poor sound quality, this is not a comment on the musician.
Fortunately my second choice (another 88.2Khz recording) of Frank Martin's music contains one of my favorite piece (the modern concerto for harpsichord and small orchestra). This was a lot better, the main instrument has its caracteristic delicate metallic sound seeming to float in space, the strings are rich, the woodwinds vivid the horns fulfill the space, this sounds a lot better than a CD for sure! So another way for me to listen to good music.
Of course I played games comparing CD played through HDMI, through coax (SPDIF) and copied losless to FLAC and replayed through the peach tree and the Classé. The peachtree, Classé combination is not as good for large scale music, but for small scale work the two QUADs without subs have an intimacy that I like a lot. Another fun thing has been to rediscover old CDs.
But my primary love is still glorious multi-channel like my favorite TACET recordigns. So my system has reached a very satisfying 'plateau' and I intend to enjoy it to the max, whenever I have a bit of free time.
