Description
Classé Delta PRE Preamplifier
The Classé Delta PRE Preamplifier is the foundation of your perfect system.
Designed to connect to a range of sources, Delta PRE will extract the highest performance from every recording, whether analog or digital.
Pre-amplifiers provide clean and controlled signals to the power stage. Both precision and perfection are required, and are delivered by Delta PRE.
- Network, USB, AES/EBU, coax and optical inputs with optional HDMI
- XLR and RCA inputs
- Short signal paths to minimise signal interference
- Custom-made Navcom® feet absorb and reduce vibrations
- High-performance onboard MC/MM Phono stage supports up to two phono inputs
- Rhodium-plated connectors for excellent and secure contacts
View Owners Manual >>
Reviews
“The latest Classe Delta amps are a triumph, combining a hugely flexible and ultra clean-sounding preamplifier with power amplifiers as capable of mighty clout as they are revealing of the smallest of detail” — Andrew Everard – hi-fi news
“Regardless of what others may be doing, in my opinion, no other audio company offers this combination of operational flexibility, high-quality parts, thoughtful design, build quality, and faithfulness to the performance of music. Well done, Classé!” — Dave Thomas – Stereo Times
“Classé Audio’s Delta PRE is one of the most feature-laden yet ergonomically enjoyable products I’ve reviewed in some time.” — Aron Garrecht – SoundStage!
Classé’s Delta PRE and STEREO are impeccably designed and manufactured products that offer impressive operational flexibility and dependability. These two components are visually appealing and practical to install in a domestic setting. The Delta PRE and STEREO were a pleasure to operate and, more importantly, to listen to.” – Andrew Quint – The Absolute Sound
Control
Audiophiles, recording professionals and equipment reviewers trust Classé Delta PRE Preamplifier’s as a source of sonic truth. Delta Series allows listeners to experience that truth in their own homes.
Every detail of the Delta Series is perfected by hand in our unique production facility in Japan to deliver powerful, natural, expansive sound with minimal noise or distortion.
- 0.25dB volume step precision to find your perfect sound level
- Digital domain tone control with Delta PRE Tilt control
- Support for mono or stereo subwoofers for better control of bass
- Selectable frequency and slope control
- Advanced five-band digital domain parametric equalization
- Digital bypass mode available to all analog sources
- Pass thru mode
Design
As the component you’re most likely to touch, the design of Classé Delta PRE Preamplifier matches its exceptional acoustic performance.
Any interacting with Delta PRE is pure pleasure, from the superb cool-to-the-touch materials, to the precise tactile feedback of the volume control.
Touchscreen control reflects Classé Delta PRE Preamplifier’s outstanding capability : pure analog clarity, advanced digital precision, confident, capable power and expressive sound.
- Harmony between minimal design and unrivalled performance
- Luxurious anodized aluminum body
- Adjustable brightness, responsive touchscreen display
- Perfectly complements other components in the Delta family
Specifications
OVERALL DIMENSIONS
Width – 17.50 in (444 mm)
Depth – (including connectors) 17.68 in (449 mm)
Height – (including feet) 4.78 in (121 mm)
WEIGHT
Gross Weight – 41.2 lbs (18.7kg)
Net Weight – 29.8 lbs (13.5kg)
GENERAL
Gain Range -93dB to +14dB
Channel Matching – 0.05dB
Input Impedance (at 1kHz, BAL / SE) – 50kΩ
Output Impedance BAL / SE – 200Ω / 50Ω
Maximum Output Level BAL / SE – 18Vrms / 9Vrms
BYPASS MODE
(ANALOG INPUTS, TONE / EQ / SUBWOOFERS DISABLED)
Frequency Response – (-3dB, 50Ω source impedance) / 1Hz – 2MHz
Harmonic Distortion (measurement bandwidth: 90kHz) – <0.0004% at 1kHz <0.0005% at 10kHz <0.0006% at 20kHz
Intermodulation Distortion (measurement bandwidth: 90kHz) – <0.001%
Maximum Input Level BAL / SE (at 0dB gain) – 9Vrms (+21.3dBu) / 4.5Vrms (+15.3dBu)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A wtd) (22kHz BW, ref 9Vrms) 130dB (133dBA)
Crosstalk (one channel undriven) (BAL / SE)
- -143dB (100Hz)
- -140dB (1kHz)
- -124dB (10kHz)
PHONO SECTION
(0DB GAIN, BYPASS MODE, XLR2 IN, MAIN XLR OUT)
RIAA Deviation (20Hz-20kHz) < 0.2dB
Selectable Load for MM Type (47k II) – 50pF, 100pF, 150pF, 200pF, 250pF, 300pF, 350pF, 400pF, 450pF
Selectable Load for MC
- Low Output – 7.5Ω, 10Ω, 33Ω, 50Ω, 82Ω, 100Ω, 330Ω, 1kΩ
- Load for MC – High Output – 47kΩ
MM, MC – HIGH OUTPUT – Gain (1kHz, 20Ω source impedance) 41.5dB
SNR (22kHz BW, ref 5mVrms in) 86dB (93dB A-wtd)
Max Input Level (overload ref 5mVrms) – 11dB (20Hz), 23dB (1kHz), 34dB (10kHz)
MC – LOW OUTPUT Gain (1kHz, 20Ω source impedance, 1kΩ load) – 60dB
SNR (20Hz-20kHz) – 68dB (74dB A-wtd)
Max Input Level (overload ref 0.5mVrms, 1kΩ load) – 12dB (20Hz), 31dB (1kHz), 52dB (10kHz)
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
Power (nominal input. 0dB gain, 32 Ω load) – 540mW
Output Impedance – 6.8Ω
FILE FORMATS AND SAMPLE RATES SUPPORTED
- USB-F – 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k (iOS specific)
- 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, (DoP)
- Ethernet – WAV, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, WMA, AAC, MP3, OGG_VORBIS (max 192k/24b) DSD64, (DoP)
- SPDIF – (opt, coax, AES / EBU) PCM 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 88.2k, 96k, 176.4k, 192k / DSD64
INPUT / OUTPUT COMPLEMENT ANALOG IN
BAL / XLR – 2 pairs (XLR2 can be assigned as
BAL phono in) – SE / RCA – 2 pairs
Phono RCA – 1 pair
DIGITAL IN
HDMI – *(optional) – 4* (HDMI 2.0b w/HDCP 2.2)
USB-F – 1
USB-B – 1
SPDIF Coaxial – 3
SPDIF Optical – 3
SPDIF AES / EBU – 1
Ethernet – 1
OUTPUTS
HDMI *(optional) – 1* (HDMI 2.0b w/HDCP 2.2)
BAL / XLR – 5 (configurable: 2pairs+1sub,1pair+1sub pair,…)
SE / RCA – 5 (configurable: 2pairs+1sub,1pair+1sub pair,…)
AUTOMATION
DC Triggers In / Out – 2 sets
CAN Bus – 1 set in / out
RS-232 over RJ-45 – 1
