Classe Delta CP-500 Stereo Preamplifier

Over the years it’s always been difficult to describe to people what a preamplifier does, and why there would be a need for one.

To most people, a power amplifier with no volume control, or an expensive, large device that is little more than a dressed-up volume knob — these things are mind-blowing.

All the while — we’re talkin’ years here — I’ve witnessed again and again with my own ears a myriad of effects to a system from just adding or replacing a preamplifier.

I’ve heard soundstages narrow (not a good thing) and soundstages spread bewilderingly wide.

I’ve heard an uptick in punch and “bounce” when a pre is added. I’ve heard a lowering of noise. I’ve heard a sound go from interesting to breathtakingly realistic with the addition of a good pre.

But I’ve also heard sibilance added, magic removed, detail obscured and all the bass attenuated.

The best preamplifiers do something that is noticeable, but they’re judged first on whether the rest of the music is unaffected.

If a preamplifier adds body to the bass, but does so in a way that makes the treble and midrange obscured, it’s not worthwhile as a preamplifier.

If a pre gives you detail that reaches up to the heavens of audibility with no sense of fatigue, but the soundstage narrows a bit, something about that detail is off. That’s not a good pre.

I rank this Classe CP-500 way up there on the list of worthwhile preamplifiers, because the absolute drive it’s giving to the bass of the recordings I’m playing is impressive. And these recordings are challenging, spatial tests and the pre is doing what it does (solid bass) and leaving the rest of the music pure and unchanged.

The amazing sense of space in recordings, and the reverb decay are telltale signs that this solid foundational preamplifier is more than impressive.

The saying “First, do no harm” — which, by the way is not in the hippocratic oath — can be followed in this case with “Then, kick some bass.”

When you factor in the touchscreen and intuitive user interface, the folks who balked at the idea of a pre to begin with — well, they start to come around. It is a gorgeous machine.

I grew up in the era where displays on electronics underwent lots of change as technological advances happened. We went from un-lighted liquid crystal displays to OLED and touchscreen interfaces in the span of 20 years. I’d like to think I have an educated opinion on the subject.

My favorite device display is probably the Mytek Brooklyn DAC, or at least that’s the one that stands out in memory. While this Classe CP-500’s display shows less in common with cell phone precision in terms of color depth and resolution, its interface and design make it one of my favorite displays anyway.

Straight to the point and intuitive enough for me to do everything I wanted without cracking open the manual — that’s how I like an interface. Make it attractive enough to live with long term, and you’ve got a winner.

When you look at the total package, this preamplifier is an easy system addition to justify to your audio buddies or significant other. For me, during my time with it, it was about as excellent a “control center” as I’ve seen, while retaining the excellent sound character of a true high fidelity component.