Classé Audio Delta Series New Pre/Power Amplifier Review

Canadian audio veteran Classé Audio has been a respected name in high-end audio since the 1980s. The brand's reputation was further cemented when the legendary Abbey Road Studios chose to pair Classé Audio CA-M400 power amplifiers with B&W 800 Series and Nautilus speakers for their monitoring system.

Over the past four decades, the brand has experienced its share of ups and downs. A significant turning point came in 2018 when Sound United acquired Classé Audio. The following two years brought major changes, including the relocation of manufacturing operations to the Shirakawa Audio Works in Japan. Meanwhile, the brand's design team remained at their Montreal headquarters in Canada, focusing exclusively on product development.

The Delta Series, designed in Canada and manufactured in northern Japan, made an unexpected but impressive debut at Munich High End 2019. The simultaneous unveiling of the Delta Pre preamplifier, Delta Stereo power amplifier, and Delta Mono monoblock amplifiers generated considerable excitement among audio journalists who were already familiar with the brand's heritage.

While the Delta Series was initially scheduled for release in late 2019, certification processes caused a slight delay, pushing the launch to spring 2020. In April, we received a review set consisting of the Delta Pre and Delta Stereo amplifier. During our time with these components, we've come to understand their character through hands-on experience. The design philosophy successfully preserves Classé's signature traits while embracing contemporary trends. This isn't simply a rehash of old technology - it's more accurately described as an elegant evolution of the brand.

The Delta Series' design aesthetic instantly evokes Classé's distinctive heritage. The signature U-shaped front panel, a hallmark of the brand, has been thoughtfully preserved by the engineering team. Crafted from premium aluminum alloy with anodized finishing, each panel is meticulously shaped by skilled artisans. The matte black surface treatment creates a sophisticated contrast with the dark steel chassis, resulting in a yin-yang visual effect that exudes contemporary elegance.

Both the Delta Pre and Delta Stereo are equipped with striking LED displays. The preamplifier features a multi-touch screen interface that enables comprehensive system configuration and management. The power amplifier, on the other hand, employs a meter display that dynamically indicates output levels - a feature that never fails to captivate audiophiles. Indeed, audio manufacturers well understand enthusiasts' emotional attachment to analog-style meters, and they often go to great lengths to incorporate this cherished feature into their designs.

The overall aesthetic successfully bridges classic audiophile sensibilities with modern design elements, creating a visual statement that's both timeless and contemporary.

While the new Delta series evolved from previous models, over 90% of its construction and design details have been completely reimagined. The preamplifier features Furutech rhodium-plated connectors for its analog inputs, while custom-designed Navcom feet effectively absorb vibrations between 10Hz and 30kHz - performance equivalent to high-end isolation accessories.

Operational flexibility is a key highlight. Users can control the system through the unit's display screen, remote control, or a dedicated smartphone app that offers a high-resolution interface for accessing various functions. The power amplifier, being more straightforward in operation, features only a power switch. However, engineers have incorporated 3.5mm trigger ports and CAT5 network connections on the rear panel for seamless integration with other Classé components. The CAT5 connection enables real-time temperature monitoring through the preamplifier's display.

The hardware design includes thoughtful details throughout. A removable metal mesh grille on the front panel, positioned beside the display, facilitates dust protection and ventilation for the ICTunnel cooling system. The RCA connections utilize Furutech rhodium-plated terminals, while the speaker binding posts feature Torque Guard technology - an innovative system that produces an audible click when optimal torque is reached, ensuring secure cable connections without risk of over-tightening.

Adjacent to the speaker terminals are the amplification modules, complemented by temperature-controlled cooling fans. During our testing in our notably quiet listening room, these fans proved remarkably silent - whether standing close to the unit or seated in the sweet spot, no fan noise was detectable. Even after hours of operation, the amplifier maintained reasonable operating temperatures without becoming excessively hot - a testament to the effectiveness of its thermal management system.

This attention to detail and engineering excellence demonstrates Classé's commitment to both performance and practicality in high-end audio design.

 

The Delta Pre deserves special attention as it exemplifies high-end custom installation capabilities. While custom installation enjoyed significant popularity in Hong Kong over a decade ago, and though demand has somewhat diminished locally, the international market continues to show substantial interest in these solutions.

This trend is evidenced by Sound United's regular participation in CEDIA EXPO, the premier event organized by the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA). The group's brands, including HEOS, Polk Audio, and Definitive Technology, have been moving in this direction, though full product integration has yet to materialize.

A significant development came with the appointment of Frank K. Sterns as Vice President of Commercial Operations. Sterns brings valuable experience from SONY Electronics, where he managed audio-visual product sales and custom installation distribution. His 18-year tenure at Niles Audio, a veteran in the custom audio industry, culminating in the role of Sales Operations Director, makes him particularly well-suited for this position.

Under Sterns' leadership, Sound United's marketing strategy appears poised for enhanced brand integration. Classé Audio, positioning as the group's premium brand, enjoys enduring prestige from its heyday in the 1980s. Despite periods of limited product releases, the brand has maintained its distinguished reputation.

Using Classé as the flagship to integrate with other Sound United brands presents a compelling strategy. This approach not only enables the development of comprehensive audio-visual solutions but also leverages Classé's prestigious reputation to elevate the entire brand portfolio. This unified approach likely offers greater market impact than promoting each brand independently.

The strategy reflects a sophisticated understanding of both the high-end audio market and the evolving custom installation sector, positioning Classé Audio at the forefront of modern audio system integration.

The introduction of the Delta series signals Sound United's ambitious entry into the high-end custom installation market. The Delta Pre's hardware capabilities extend far beyond typical two-channel preamplifiers, featuring an impressive 14 input configurations, including both MM and MC phono stages. Output options include standard balanced and unbalanced connections, plus a dedicated subwoofer output and an additional pair of configurable balanced and unbalanced outputs.

A standout feature is the unit's remarkable input flexibility. Each input can be renamed and reconfigured to suit specific needs. For instance, the phono section's default configuration includes both balanced and unbalanced inputs. Finding this redundant, I repurposed the balanced input for my Mytek DAC - a modification that wouldn't have been possible in its original phono-only configuration. This level of customization extends across all inputs, demonstrating exceptional versatility.

For enhanced multimedia integration, users can opt for an additional HDMI 2.0 module supporting 4K video, perfect for music Blu-ray playback or streaming devices like Apple TV. The inclusion of Cat5 connectivity facilitates seamless control of other Classé components. While this configuration might seem more aligned with home theater processors, it's effectively a sophisticated two-channel variant.

For traditional audiophiles who might not utilize all features, the Delta Pre offers several practical applications for pure two-channel playback:

1. Input Management:

• Disable unused inputs to streamline source selection and potentially reduce interference - a feature that particularly appeals to detail-oriented audiophiles.

2. Digital Bypass:

• Enables pure analog signal path, bypassing all DSP processing, including subwoofer management.

3. Room Correction:

• Features 5-band digital EQ per channel
• Allows precise adjustment up to ±10dB
• Independent control over frequency, level, and Q factor
• Separate left/right channel adjustment for asymmetrical rooms

4. Digital Filtering:

• Custom high-frequency filtering for high-resolution formats like DSD and DXD
• Recommended implementation starting at 20kHz for optimal results

5. Advanced Tone Control:

• Spans 10Hz-20kHz with ±6dB adjustment
• Includes tilt function for balanced frequency adjustments
• Particularly useful for vinyl playback, allowing fine-tuning to complement RIAA equalization
• Can compensate for pressing/mastering variations and cartridge characteristics
• Equally effective for older CD recordings, though frequency ranges may need adjustment

This comprehensive feature set makes the Delta Pre equally capable in both traditional audiophile setups and sophisticated custom installations.

Most notably, when engaged in digital bypass mode for pure analog processing, the frequency response extends from an astounding 1Hz to 2MHz! I must confess my limitations here - I'm hard-pressed to name another preamplifier capable of reaching 2MHz. Frequency response often serves as a key indicator of circuit design excellence, and in this case, reveals something extraordinary.

According to my research, the Delta series employs sophisticated 6-layer circuit boards. The preamplifier segregates analog source processing and digital circuits onto separate boards. The design incorporates an increased number of voltage regulators in the signal path while minimizing internal transmission distances to further enhance performance.

The power supply architecture is equally impressive, featuring two independent circuits. A switching power module handles digital operations and control functions, while a separate linear power supply serves the analog circuits. The entire circuit implementation uses FETs (Field Effect Transistors) for primary output filtering, followed by bipolar transistors for secondary filtering. This sophisticated combination significantly reduces intermodulation distortion and total harmonic distortion.

The manufacturer claims zero phase shift up to 200kHz - a testament to their meticulous engineering. With such attention to detail in the circuit design, it's no wonder the Delta Pre achieves these remarkable specifications that surpass industry norms!

This level of engineering excellence demonstrates Classé's commitment to pushing the boundaries of audio performance, even in areas beyond human hearing.

I must emphasize that the Delta Pre's DAC section and phono stage demonstrate equally impressive capabilities. The digital conversion is handled by dual 32-bit AKM 4497 chips, providing independent differential processing for left and right channels. The unit supports PCM and DXD up to 384kHz, as well as DSD256. Crucially, the clock mechanism is positioned adjacent to the DAC chips and features vacuum isolation, complemented by a dedicated power supply. This sophisticated implementation places the Delta Pre's digital section firmly in competition with contemporary high-end DACs.

During our testing, we streamed DSD music from a MacBook Pro using Audirvana Plus. The immediacy of the soundstage impressed me, approaching the quality of physical SACD playback. Particularly noteworthy was its handling of vocal reproduction - traditionally a challenging aspect of digital playback - which it managed with remarkable naturalness and authority.

What's truly surprising is that while the DAC section isn't meant to be the Delta Pre's primary selling point, its performance rivals that of dedicated mid-tier DACs. This unexpected level of digital playback excellence adds significant value to an already impressive package.

I'll admit to a personal bias - I found myself more drawn to the phono stage than the DSD decoding capabilities, and consequently spent more time fine-tuning this section. The phono setup is remarkably straightforward: gain settings are limited to three levels, with MM at 41.5dB and MC offering both high and low options, maxing out at 60dB. Load impedance provides eight settings, ranging from 7.5Ω to 1kΩ - fairly standard specifications for most phono stages.

However, what truly sets this unit apart is the interplay between the digital bypass mode and Tone Control features - a combination that offers the best of both worlds. The digital bypass delivers exceptional detail and transparency, while the Tone Control provides extensive sound-shaping possibilities. I was even able to recreate the warmth and character of tube amplification when playing vinyl.

While playing the "HQLP Reference Sampler" 33 RPM record, I found that this vintage sound became even more engaging through careful adjustment. My preferred Tone Control settings included a slight attenuation at 18kHz combined with a boost at 50Hz. What's particularly engaging is the ability to fine-tune the Tilt control during playback. A range of ±3dB proved ideal, though I ultimately settled on a narrower ±2dB adjustment, which gave vocals a subtle but noticeable three-dimensional quality.

I eventually chose to maintain the Tone Control settings for extended listening. When evaluating the phono stage's capabilities, these two features alone - digital bypass and Tone Control - demonstrate remarkable versatility, offering audiophiles significant room for experimentation and customization.

The Delta Stereo is a formidable dual-channel power amplifier, delivering 250W per channel into 8 ohms, with the first 12.5W operating in pure Class A. While this initial Class A power rating might seem modest, it's worth noting that with today's highly efficient modern speakers, most listeners will rarely push beyond this threshold during normal listening sessions.

The front panel is dominated by large, easily readable VU meters - a classic touch that both serves a practical purpose and adds visual appeal. A removable front grille, complete with a cleanable air filter, serves as the intake for the amplifier's proprietary ICTunnel active cooling system. This cooling architecture has been carefully engineered to minimize noise while maximizing thermal efficiency, employing thermally-controlled variable-speed fans. The system proves remarkably quiet - virtually inaudible from typical listening distances of several meters.

The sophisticated thermal management system demonstrates Classé's commitment to combining high performance with practical usability, ensuring the amplifier maintains optimal operating temperature without compromising the listening experience.

Classé has implemented an exceptionally well-engineered power supply design for this amplifier. At its heart lies a custom-made, hand-wound toroidal transformer with separate windings for left and right channels - a testament to their commitment to channel separation. The power supply's capacitor bank consists of 22 independent Mundorf quadrupole capacitors, providing a substantial 215,000uF of energy storage and filtering capability. The output stage employs MOSFETs, chosen for their superior performance characteristics.

This sophisticated power supply architecture reflects Classé's dedication to engineering excellence, ensuring stable power delivery and optimal performance under varying load conditions. The combination of the custom transformer, extensive capacitance, and MOSFET output stage forms a robust foundation for the amplifier's impressive sonic capabilities.

Classé reveals that one of their primary design objectives was to create an amplifier capable of effortlessly driving B&W 800 Series speakers - a goal that necessitated a shift toward lower voltage, higher current design architecture. The result is an amplifier that demonstrates exceptional compatibility with virtually any speaker system.

Performance and durability were paramount in the development process, and it's evident that no compromises were made in the design and execution of the new Delta series. The amplifier's substantial 46.4kg (102.3 lbs) weight makes it a two-person job for installation.

All Delta series amplifiers come equipped with nationally manufactured, fully certified high-performance AC power cords. The Delta Stereo features both balanced and unbalanced inputs, complemented by two sets of premium rhodium-plated copper five-way binding posts. These binding posts incorporate a torque-guard mechanism to prevent over-tightening - a thoughtful detail that protects both the hardware and speaker cables.

This attention to detail, from the fundamental design architecture to the quality of connection hardware, exemplifies Classé's commitment to building professional-grade audio equipment that meets the demands of both high-end residential installations and professional applications.