Classe Six Mk.II Stereo Preamplifier; Model Six MKII; Silver; Remote (SOLD2)

Classe Six Mk.II Stereo Preamplifier Highlights

Product: Classe Six Mk.II Stereo Preamplifier; Model Six MKII; Silver; Remote

Product SKU: 31680

Serial Number: 1030666

Voltage: 120v

Cosmetic Description: 7/10 Very good cosmetic condition with some minor visible cosmetic wear including some light surface marks on the faceplate and a couple of deep scratches on the power supply unit. This item shows some wear consistent with its age but is still presentable and sounds wonderful.

What is Included: Preamplifier, Remote, External power supply unit, Power supply cable, Power cable, Factory packaging

Functional Notes: Operational condition of this item is excellent, fully tested and no issues found.

Age: Unknown

# of Owners: Unknown

Tobacco Exposure: No

Service History: None

MSRP: $3295

Other Notes: Integrated MM/MC phono stage

Since its introduction in 1989, the Model Six reviewed here has undergone subtle changes in its external appearance. It began as the DR-6, a reference to David Reich, the audio designer who founded Classé Audio and who was involved in the DR-6's original design. David has since moved first to Archtech Electronics, then to Theta Digital; since his departure, Glen Grue and his staff have redesigned the preamp, dropped the "DR" designation, and spelled out the "Six." The Six Mk.II has sculpted handles and no rack-mount cutouts on the front panel.

In a 1992 review (The Abso!ute Sound, Issue 79, p.91), Antony Cordesman described the Six as a "well styled 'black box'...where form follows function, and no attempt is made to miniaturize the unit or give it a clever appearance." The 19"-wide faceplate, available in either silver or black, has rounded edges and four large rotary switches whose knobs have a flattened section for easier handling. The front-panel controls, from left to right, include a source-selector rotary switch that allows the owner to select CD, Phono, Balanced, Tuner, or Aux. Next is a rotary switch with Rev, Left, Stereo, Right, and Mono positions. The right upper panel has a rotary Balance control with a single central detent, and a detented Volume control with an Off position. These rotary switches have the smoothest action I have found on any preamplifier. The four toggle switches across the bottom of the panel are, from left to right, a Tape switch for monitor or source, a Bypass Mode switch that selects phono or balanced, another Bypass On/Off switch that selects the bypass mode, and a Mute switch.

The bypass function is new with the Six Mk.II and replaces the DR-6's polarity-reversal switch. This control is reminiscent of similar bypass switches in Walter Jung preamp designs as published in The Audio Amateur. Jung found that a reduced number of switch contacts improves the sound (footnote 2). The Six's bypass removes the input selector, tape, and mode switches from the signal path. To operate the bypass function, first move the input-selector switch to the desired input. Though the signal does not travel through this switch, the latter chooses which input does not get shorted to ground. Possible bypass inputs include the Phono or CD inputs on the phono model—Balanced In or CD on the Six L. Thus, to listen to a Phono selection, select Phono with the upper-panel rotary switch, and throw the Bypass Mode toggle to Phono; then switch the Bypass On/Off function switch On.

The back panel features standard XLR-balanced connectors (male connectors for Main Out and female connectors for Balanced Input), and gold-plated RCA input jacks for CD, Tuner, Aux, and Tape. The power cable connecting the preamp and the large power supply is very thick; as is the unit's power cord, which has a large, yellow, hospital-grade plug. The Six's Phono input is replaced by Aux 2 on the Six L. A toggle switch is located between the left- and right-channel phono inputs on the Six. This switch is pushed up for MC operation, down for MM. In the MC position, 20dB of additional gain is added to the MM's 35dB. The MC gain can be adjusted between 20 and 40dB by replacing resistors R15 and R16 on the preamplifier's system board. The stock resistors need to be unsoldered and replaced with the others (supplied, along with silver solder). There are no provisions for adjusting input impedance for the MC inputs. The Six used in this review was set for the appropriate gain for my Spectral phono cartridge." - Stereophile

Product Specifications

Reviews:  Stereophile

Shipping: Cost to ship this item within the contiguous United States is a flat rate of $55- including packaging and insurance. For all other locations including Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska, please request a quote prior to purchase. Items with factory packaging will be double boxed. When factory packaging not available re-usable shipping box with custom injected-foam mold will be used. (for all items over 10 lbs). Note that all items valued over $750 will require a signature upon delivery.