Classé Audio CP-500 Preamplifier
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At start-up, the LCD screen displays six virtual input buttons, in two columns. The buttons as well as the input labels are displayed in white on a blue background. Just below the buttons, the volume level is shown in both Decibels and on a graphical scale. The volume is smartly preset to 0 dB by default each time the preamplifier is powered on, although this can be changed in the on-screen menu to either ‘last volume’ used or a custom preset volume. Speaking of customization, each of the input buttons on the screen can be renamed to match the connected source. For example, the default ‘Input 1′ button can be renamed to “CD Player” or “Computer” or anything else you like – you choose the letters, not just predetermined labels. The background colour of the LCD screen can also be changed to one of four colours, as can the brightness of the screen. This high level of customization is possible thanks to the fact that the LCD screen takes the place of standard hard-buttons in the CP-500. The volume knob offers a precise and perfectly sensitive operation. When the knob is turned slowly, the volume increases gradually. If it’s turned quickly, the volume goes up rapidly. If the default operation of the volume knob doesn’t satisfy your habits, it can also be fully customized in the menu. When the user adjusts the volume, the screen switches temporarily to display only the volume level in Decibels in large characters, which I could easily read from more than 12 feet away – a well thought out feature. Operationally, the CP-500 couldn’t be more of a pleasure to use, nor could it be any easier!
But an impressive operation means nothing without a performance to match. After some 300 hours of recommended burn-in, I began my listening tests with a selection of CDs. First up was Holst “The Planets” performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta on JVC’s XRCD. The size of the soundstage was just phenomenal on this disc. Its depth stretched well behind the speakers and its width extended way past the walls of my room. Different sections of the orchestra had clear definition within the soundstage, with noticeable amounts of space between them. My track of choice “Jupiter” was presented with the utmost delicacy when playing the softer passages. The extraction of details from these intricate pieces was superb. During louder passages, the bass drum struck with unforgettable impact and precise timing. The CP-500 allowed for all of the extensive dynamics of this recording to come right to my ears. As listened for the CP-500′s musical character, I found it to pass the audio without adding anything to it and without subtracting anything from it. This is just what a great preamplifier should do.
Satisfied with the orchestral performance, I moved to the Air French Band “Moon Safari” CD album, re-released earlier this year. I was pleasantly surrounded by a large amount of air (pun intended!) in the soundstage of this disc as the audio moved in a nearly three-dimensional space. The high frequencies were crisp, yet never edgy or tiring to my ears. Again, the amount of detail in the music was just awesome. Perhaps the only thing that the CP-500 didn’t have, in comparison to the Audio Research SP9-MKIII tube preamplifier that we’ve been using for some time now, was the overall warmth of tubes. But reasonably so – the CP-500 is after all a solid state component. Nevertheless, the presentation of “Moon Safari” was outstanding.
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