Classe SSP-25 vs. Proceed AVP

These day the Classe SSP 25 is mire like a good deal for a nice preamp and you can set analogue inputs to play SACDs. I have two large HT systems, never used the Classe for video.

I think the Proceed is more of a processor than mufti-channel pre=amp

I am using a Classe' SSP-25 for my music and home theater, and feel it is a good unit, altho it has a glitch I wish it did not have. Using my Pioneer Elite DV-05, upon layer change (a second or less), the 25 will lose lock, taking about two more seconds to lock on, cutting off a bit of dialog on occasion. I have never read about any other processors exhibiting this symptom, and my friend, who owns an AVP says his does not. Classe' feels this is "normal", but Robert Harley, in an e-mail response, has not experienced this. He states "If other manufacturers can perform this without losing lock, then they all should be able to". I still like the 25, overall. Mike Colwell mecolwell@hotmail.com

I think Classe makes fine productss but prefer the Proceed. They are dealers everywhere and warranty is transferable. This is a big deal to me. I bought a year old AVP on this site for less than 3000.00 and contacted Madrigal and they said,"Sure the warranty's transferrable and you have almost 4 years left on it." It also has an anlog preamplifiers. Also it is easy to set up. In the last couple of months Widescreen Review has had a Digital Controller comparison. The reviewer now uses the AVP as his reference piece.

Why not go with the best 2-channel preamp -- the Mark Levinson 38S. It does everything well. The Proceed is Madrigal's Levinson wannabe. Stay away from Classe.

Andy, Picking up the Theta to try out tonite. Want to subsidize the purchase?

Hey man, get the Theta

I am presently using the Classe SSP 25. It is a very good processor for both Movies and Stereo music. It is users freindly inspite all of the digital electronics it's carrying- DTS Cinema-DTS music-THX certified- Dolby digital(5.1 channel). Balanced out for 2-channel stereo music and Balanced in for Analog music( Phono). It has also a pure bypass analog stereo music that means when you are using a pure analog music signal from source the Classe 25 will not alter any of the incoming signal as a pre-amp. What ever sound you get from your source that is the one you will be hearing. For the movie it is no. 1. Buy it!!! cheaper than proceed and Lexicon or Meridian but the performance and quality will match or exceed the above mentioned brands.

I recently bought a used Proceed AVP and am very pleased. Its easy to set up, sounds great, and offers flexibility with base management. Stereophile recently rated it borderline class A. I considered a Classe SSP 25 very seriously but could not find a dealer in Southeast Michigan that had one so that I could hear it. Also, a dealer in Ann Arbor told me that they dropped the Classe line completely because of reliability issues and the difficulty of getting units repaired. Its a pain to send a unit back to Canada and I guess the turn around time was months. He described the service issue as sending equipment into a black hole. This is only one dealer's opinion but it was enough for me to go with the Proceed. You may also want to read the review in Sound and Vision in 1999. The review was very favorable and addressed the issue of two channel performance. Hope this helps. Kevin (lokark@libcoop.net)