Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Classe Unveils New Reference Disc Player

Montreal, Quebec, Canada–January 2007–Canadian high-end audio-video manufacturer Classe Audio has established an enviable reputation for producing truly reference-standard audio and A/V components. Its CDP-202 Compact Disc Player, and CDP-300 DVD Player are internationally accepted benchmarks representing the current state of the art for these technologies. Now Classe has combined the two concepts into a single “reference” disc-player, the CDP-502.

“Classe customers are among the most demanding and discerning in the world,” says David Nauber, Classe’s Executive VP, Brand Development. “And while they might be able to afford both a CDP-300 and a CDP-202, they’d prefer the best of both in a single component. That, in a nutshell, characterizes the new CDP-502 Reference Disc Player: state-of-the-technology performance for both DVD and CD playback, with all the benefits associated with Classe design.”

A truly flexible source component, the CDP-502 accepts audio CDs, DVD-Video discs, DVD-Audio high-resolution audio recordings, and numerous optical-disc variants including DualDisc, MP3, WMA and AAC audio-encoded discs, as well as Video-CD, S-VCD and JPEG discs. The latest Classe player derives its audio sections from the acclaimed CDP-202, Classe’s current CD reference model, and its video sections from the CDP-300 DVD player, the world’s first high-end player to output all HD-compatible resolutions including 1080p. The result–the CDP-502, arguably the most sophisticated DVD/CD player ever created–speaks for itself with unmatched video and audio fidelity, depth, and definition.

The CDP-502 utilizes the highly non-resonant, steel/aluminum hybrid chassis, and multiple, superbly engineered power supplies for which Classe designs are justly famous. The slot-loading TEAC DVD-ROM mechanism — also used in the CDP-300 and CDP-202 — provides superior disc-handling characteristics, reliability and control flexibility. Of course, the new model employs Classe’s well-known digital-decoding technology, deploying a dedicated CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) and sample-rate conversion to re-construct data as 24-bit/192 kHz signals with rock-steady time-domain performance. Also present is Classe’s proven dual-differential digital-to-analog conversion topology, where both channels are transformed to differential mode in the digital domain, and then converted by a dedicated device for each signal “half.” The resultant signal remains in the balanced mode through reference-grade audio circuits, and passes to balanced-audio output on two XLR jacks; both channels are of course also available as single-ended signals on RCA jacks, which benefit from a completely differential and independent signal path.

On the video side the CDP-502’s designers could not reasonably expect to improve upon the acclaimed CDP-300, and so wisely retained its layout. Consequently, the CDP-502 incorporates the same powerful digital video processing, able to scale output to all HDTV formats up to and including 1080p via its HDMI digital-video output (including 1080i, 720p, and 480/576p). In addition to deinterlacing and scaling functions, the CDP-502’s video DSP also incorporates extensive digital processing to reduce the troublesome “mosquito noise” otherwise so prevalent on HD screens, to adaptively control color and contrast ratios, and to improve chroma transient performance. In short, staggeringly powerful and complex mathematic operations are constantly working to deliver a sharper, clearer, more compelling image than has been heretofore available from any DVD source.

The CDP-502 carries over Classe’s elegantly curved, aluminum industrial design and intuitive control layout common to its antecedents, including the front-panel color touchscreen. Far more than mere “sizzle,” this delivers perfectly, self-prompting operation, convenient previewing of DVD recordings for setup and cueing right at the loading site, and an easy way to manage audiophile-mode “video-off” playback for serious-listening CD and DVD-A sessions. The CDP-502 is supplied with a backlit wireless remote controller, and includes CAN-bus ports for inter-Classe-component communications, RS-232 interfacing for integration into media and whole-house control systems, and IR-remote and DC-trigger interfacing.

Classe’s CDP-502 universal reference DVD/CD player will be available February 2007, at a manufacturer’s suggested price of $8,500 US.

For additional information about Classe Audio visit www.classeaudio.com.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Shanling SM1.3 Network Music Streamer White and Black

Digital Music Systems

For $1199, the Shanling SM1.3 music streamer comes loaded with features including MQA, DSD512 and up to 32-bit/768kHz hi-res audio.

Feliks Audio Envy Meisterwerk Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier Front Angle in Ebony finish Feliks Audio Envy Meisterwerk Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier Front Angle in Ebony finish

Headphone Amps

Priced from $10,000, the Feliks Audio Envy Meisterwerk headphone amplifier features all analog circuitry with 300B vacuum tubes.

Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 Open-back Headphones Audio-Technica ATH-ADX3000 Open-back Headphones

New Products

At $999, the Audio-Technica AT-ADX3000 open-back headphones use the same driver technology as its flagship AT-ADX5000.

TEAC HA-507 Analog Headphone Amplifier/Preamp Front Top Silver TEAC HA-507 Analog Headphone Amplifier/Preamp Front Top Silver

Headphone Amps

At $1,999, the Technics HA-507 is a pure analog headphone amplifier and preamplifier with a balanced/dual mono configuration.

Ruark Audio R-CD100 CD Transport atop R410 Music System Ruark Audio R-CD100 CD Transport atop R410 Music System

CD Players

Add CD playback to the Ruark R410, R610 and R810 music systems for only $350 with the new R-CD100 CD Transport.

Wharfedale Super Linton Speaker Lifestyle Wharfedale Super Linton Speaker Lifestyle

Bookshelf Speakers

Wharfedale elevates its loudspeaker line with the Super Linton. Find out what the deal is.

Gift Ideas?

Splurge Gift Guide for Hi-Fi Audio and Home Theater during Holiday 2024

Gift Guides

Share the love of music and movies with hi-fi audio and home theater gift ideas that are guaranteed to impress.

You May Also Like

New Products

At $12,000, the Delta PRE Mk II is the first Classé preamplifier to get HEOS built-in for music streaming and whole-home integration.

Podcasts

A/V Industry veteran, Philip Jones of Sound United and co-owner of ProjectorReviews.com shares his passion for hi-fi and home theater, along with some interesting...

New Products

A “Force” to be Reckoned With: 5 Power Amps, Stereo Preamp, Integrated Amp, and CD Player are Just the Beginning Montreal, Canada–Aug. 2004–In the...

New Products

Montreal, Quebec, Canada–Aug. 2004–Five new power amplifiers from internationally respected high-end audio maker Classe Audio anchor the new Delta family, which marks the most...

Integrated Amps & Stereo Receivers

Montreal, Canada–Aug. 2004–Among the eight components that introduce Classe Audio’s stunning new Delta lineup are a stereo preamplifier and integrated amp. Both feature the...

CD Players

Montreal, Canada–Aug. 2004–Canada’s Classe Audio, known around the world for its standard-setting components for high-end audio and home-theater systems, has introduced a new compact...

New Products

Montreal, Canada–Dec. 2004–Two new audio-video preamp/processors today join the Delta line from Canada’s Classe Audio, the Quebec maker known for its world-standard component designs...

New Products

Montreal, Canada- June 2005–Classe Audio, the Quebec, Canada manufacturer whose standard-setting components for high-end audio and home-theater systems are admired worldwide, has enhanced its...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers