Yes, the Classe .5 player has been forgotten and overlooked by many. I have two players in my system, one is the Classe .5 and the other is an Audio Research CD2. With the Classe .5 plugged into an Audio Magic mini stealth, I feel the player is at the same level as the CD2. The CD2 does offer more air and detail, but the Classe along with the mini stealth has an incredible dark background, rendering a more intimate presentation. Synergy has the last word in all component selections, and I believe there is no "Best" player. With alot of devoted tweaking a good player can become a great one, in this case, the Classe .5 is one of them.
Review: Classe Audio CDP-.5 CD Player
Category: Digital
Classe CDP .5 CD Player
Classe CDP .5 CD Player
Was looking to upgrade the digital side of my system. The Denon 1560 has served me well and continues to do so. But was looking to move further upstream and have HDCD as well. Looked at and listed to a lot of players. Naturally the best ones have separate Transports and DACs. A little to rich for my blood. Plus space considerations dictated an integrated CD Player. That is Transport and DAC on one chassis.
So I auditioned the Denon 1650 with HDCD. Damn fine player an improvement over the Denon 1560. Went off to visit some used stores and audtion The Classe .5,Muse and Myrad as well as some others. Nothing really grabbed me. All were very good and were a vast improvement over the venerable Denon 1560. Last up was the Classe CDP .5 and the sonics of this one just stunned me, thought I was listening to vinyl!! None of the others I had listen to were even close to the sonics of the Classe unit. I had brought several CDs to listen to that I was famailiar with, so that I would have a base line in order to judge. A list of CDs used appear at the end of this review. It just didn't matter what the program material was the Classe just kept delivering the music time and again, and with out that usual digital grain and glare. To me this was something special indeed in the digital domain. After all I am an avid dyed in the wool vinyl fanatic. This I like - this I can live with nicely. This Classe can deliver all the nuances of vinyl and sound like music and for me that is the only reason to buy a component - will it deliver the music as it was intended to do. The answer is a resounding yes for the Classe CDP .5.
The Classe CDP .5 is heavy at 20 pounds and the build quality is in keeping with the Classe tradition. The front panel is convential with the loading tray on the left and the display on the right. Round push buttons control transport functions. A red LED indicates when an HDCD disc is being played. This player chassis is steel and front panel is all aluminium about 3/8 inch thick. The power switch is in the back and this player is meant to be powered on all the time. When not in use it is in standby mode. You can use RCAs or Balance outputs. RCAs are gold plated. Uses the Philips CDM 12.4 transport with the L1210 Loader and is fully isolated.
The Disc,s used for evaluation were Best of Chris Botti/ Bob James Playin Hooky/Acoustic Alchemy AArt/Rippingtons Topaz/Hiroshima Providence.
For me this player is nothing of magical,transparency,soundstage, at time near holographic in presentation. All the timbres are there bass response is the best I've heard in digital. This is a keeper and will be in my system for years to come. There is better out there than the Classe CDP .5 , but to do better will cost dearly. At this point in time this Classe is all I will ever need from digital.
Be sure to read Deon Schoeman candid review of the Classe CDP .5 at http://www.audioimports.com/rev_jun_97_1.htm well worth the time to read.
Associated gear
Click to view my Virtual System
Similar products
Denon,Wadia,Muse,Myrad,etc