If you are old enough to remember, Classé Audio made some of the highest rated solid-state amplifiers and pre-amplifiers in the world in the 1980s and 1990s. The Canadian manufacturer competed rather successfully against the best offered by Krell, Mark Levinson, Spectral, and Conrad-Johnson and finding one of its flagship pre-amplifiers on the used vintage market does not come cheap.
The new Classé Delta PRE Mk II Pre-amplifier offers a rather different approach; the focus on streaming and hi-resolution digital audio takes precedence over its phono capabilities — which are still very good.
Built on the foundation of its predecessor, the Delta Pre, the Delta PRE Mk II introduces a new upgraded digital front-end, minimizing distortion to provide optimal audio performance.
The Delta Pre Mk II is compatible with a wide variety of high-resolution digital audio formats and from multiple different digital sources – both physically connected and streamed.
HEOS Built-in
The PRE Mk II is the first Classé Preamp to incorporate the HEOS streaming and multiroom platform.
Tip: HEOS is also used by select Denon and Marantz components. Classé, Denon, Marantz and HEOS are owned by Masimo.
HEOs gives the Delta PRE Mk II the ability to stream music from Amazon Music, TIDAL HiFi Plus, Deezer, Pandora, and much more. Airplay 2 and Spotify Connect are also supported.
The Pre MKII is also Roon Ready and provides DLNA connectivity. This provides flexibility when streaming from a NAS drive, while even the front panel USB-A and rear panel USB-B sockets can be used to connect local music sources. The Delta PRE Mk II will handle all popular audiophile-orientated music formats including WAV, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, DSD, and MQA.
Tip: TV users can also opt for a 4K-compatible HDMI switch option at an additional cost, which also makes the Pre MKII the centerpiece of a home theater setup.
Features
- 2x XLR and 2x RCA inputs, 2x Phono (MM/MC) inputs.
- 5x XLR and 5x RCA outputs.
- Ethernet, 2x USB, 1x AES/EBU, 3x coaxial and 3x optical digital inputs.
- Dual 32-bit / 384kHz AKM AK4497EQ DACs running in Differential Mono mode.
- High-resolution support up to PCM 384 kHz/32 bit, DSD 512 and MQA.
- Streaming from Spotify, AirPlay 2, Amazon Music, Deezer, Pandora, Roon, TIDAL HiFI Plus, and more, with HEOS® built-in.
- Selectable frequency, slope, and tone control plus advanced five-band digital-domain parametric EQ. Digital domain tone control with Delta PRE Tilt control.
- Digital bypass mode is available to all analog sources.
- Support for mono or stereo subwoofers for better control of bass.
- Headphone output.
- Optional HDMI board with 4x HDMI inputs and 1x output, with 4K support.
- Short signal paths minimize signal interference. Custom-made Navcom® feet absorb and reduce vibrations.
- Front panel touchscreen status and control display.
- Dimensions:
- Width: 17.48 in (444 mm)
- Depth (including connectors): 17.64 in (448 mm)
- Height (including feet): 4.72 in (120 mm)
- Net Weight: 29.8 lbs (13.5kg)
Price & Availability
The Classé Delta PRE Mk II is available from selected retailers for $12,000 USD or £11,000 / €12,000 in Europe.
It will also be shown at the Montreal Audio Fest, March 22nd – March 24th.
Upgrade Kit for Existing Classé Owners: Owners of older generation Delta PRE units can also benefit from the performance enhancements available in the new PRE Mk II by upgrading their existing PRE to Mk II specifications. Certified Classé service centers worldwide can fit the separately available Upgrade Kit. The Delta PRE to Mk II Upgrade Kit is available for $3,000 / €3,000 / £2,600.
Classé products carry a 5-year warranty.
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ORT
March 18, 2024 at 11:37 pm
This is quite nice looking. Modern yet modest in its presentation. I am very much a HEOS enthusiast and since retiring I have purchased and given to family and friends, two Denon AVRs and 10 HEOS/Home speakers.
And I have about 20 more speakers that I have ready to give to anyone I meet that I think would enjoy some music in there life. Doing this cost me a few thousand dollars but as George Harrison sang over 5 decades ago, “What is Life?”
I can not take it with me but I can leave a piece of my heart behind in someone else’s memory. Set to music and in these instances, played by HEOS equipment.
I put my money where my heart is. With my family and friends. I don’t buy junque and HEOS is far from junque. HEOS is excellent HEOS is so easy even I can use it.
As is my want – We now return control of the thread to you. Until next time, at any time, when the control voice will take you to…The ORTer Limits!
nORTman Rockwell