Classé Audio Delta PRE MK II Preamplifier Quick Look
All Image Credit: Classé Audio
Just released by Classé Audio. The upgraded Delta PRE MKII is now able to receive high-resolution digital audio in a wide variety of formats and from multiple digital sources, both connected and streamed, all thanks to an all-new and extensively upgraded digital front-end. Classé Audio claiming that “the Delta PRE Mk II is now one of the most versatile and capable digitally enabled preamplifiers in its class” and promises “imperceptible levels of distortion and truly world-class performance”.
This new flagship preamplifier continues to retain its predecessor’s wide compatibility with analogue sources, now adding built-in HEOS streaming which opens doors to a wide variety of music service providers and multi-room sound.
The addition of HEOS, the multiroom platform also used by Denon and Marantz, results in the Delta PRE Mk II being able to stream music from Amazon Music, TIDAL HiFi Plus, Deezer, Pandora, and much more. DLNA and Roon Ready supports streaming from a NAS drive. While AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect compatibility provides easy everyday streaming access. File format compatibility is comprehensively wide, to include; WAV, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, DSD, and MQA.
The built-in digital-to-analogue converter features dual 32-bit/384 kHz AKM4497EQ DAC chips which are configured to run in ‘Differential Mono’ mode. The on-board DAC is capable of handling PCM resolutions at up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD512 and the MQA format. An optional HDMI board supports 4K via four inputs and a single output.
The pre-amp also includes processing features such as bass management, a five-band parametric EQ per channel, and a flexible tone/tilt control.
Connectivity includes two balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue inputs, and one RCA Phono input which accepts Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges including variable loading. Analogue outputs feature four balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, one subwoofer and two auxiliaries. A high quality headphone amplifier with a 6.5 mm jack output conveniently located on the unit’s front panel.
Digital connectivity includes USB-B for audio, an AES/EBU XLR socket, three S/PDIF coaxial RCA sockets, three optical Toslink sockets, and an RJ45 ethernet port. Further RJ45s include one RS-232 and two Can bus ports. Two 12V trigger inputs and one output, plus an IR input are provided with 3.5 mm mini-jack sockets.
Features Overview:
- Inputs:
- Analog: 2x XLR and 2x RCA inputs, 2x Phono (MM/MC)
- Digital: Ethernet, 2x USB, 1x AES/EBU, 3x coaxial and 3x optical digital
- Outputs Analog: 5x XLR and 5x RCA
- Optional HDMI board with 4x HDMI inputs and 1x output, with 4K support
- Dual 32-bit / 384kHz AKM AK4497EQ DACs running in Differential Mono mode supporting: up to PCM 384 kHz/32 bit, DSD 512 and MQA
- Format support:
- HEOS built-in:
- USB-A Host: WMA, MP3, AAC, WAV up to 192/24, FLAC up to 192/24, AIFF up to 192/24, ALAC up to 96/24, DSF up to 11.2
- Ethernet: WMA, MP3, AAC, WAV up to 192/24, FLAC up to 192/24, AIFF up to 192/24, ALAC up to 96/24, DSF up to 11.2
- Airplay 2
- DAC inputs:
- USB-B: 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, 192k, 352.8k, 384k, DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 (native – requires Thesycon/Classe driver for Windows), DSD64, DSD128 (DoP)
- SPDIF (opt, coax, AES/EBU): PCM 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, 192k/DSD64 over SPDIF
- HEOS built-in:
- Streaming from: Spotify (Connect), Tidal (including Hi Res), Deezer, Amazon Music HD, TuneIn, Pandora, Napster, iHeartRadio, Sirus XM, Soundcloud, MOOD:MIX, AWA, QPlay, Ximalaya and Sony Hi-Res with HEOS® built-in
- Selectable frequency, slope and tone control plus advanced five-band digital-domain parametric EQ
- Headphone output
Finally, Classé has looked after previous generation Delta PRE owners by providing an upgrade path to full Mk II specification. To achieve this, the company has released an ‘Upgrade Kit’. The kit will require installation by a certified Classé technician through authorized service centers.
MSRP (MKII/MKI to MKII Upgrade):
- US: $12,000/$3,000
- UK: £11,000/£2,600
- EU: €12,000/€3,000
For more information visit the Classé Audio web site.
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