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The Classé CP-800 remains a top-tier analog preamplifier with a highly configurable onboard DAC, making its £1,670 asking price a standout bargain. This figure sits well below the 25th percentile of £1,187 for recent comparable GBP listings, confirming it as a genuine deal rather than just a fair price. While the median for similar units is £1,907, the current listing is significantly more attractive, offering a rare opportunity to acquire this high-end component at a fraction of its typical market value.

This preamp is well-regarded for world-class performance in analog mode and excellent versatility when using subwoofers or room EQ. Its robust build, including solid-state Class AB output stages and extensive digital inputs, ensures it handles both music and home theater with precision. At this price, the likelihood of missing accessories or common failure points is minimal; instead, buyers should focus on the original-owner condition and included extras. This clean listing represents a compelling buying opportunity for enthusiasts seeking a versatile, high-performance preamplifier without the usual premium.

Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.

About Classé

Classé Audio emerged from Canada in 1979, founded by music enthusiast Mike Viglas in partnership with engineer David Reich. Frustrated by unreliable high-end electronics during a demonstration, Viglas sought superior performance, leading to the company's debut product: the DR-2, a 25-watt-per-channel Class A stereo amplifier launched in 1980. This pure Class A design not only inspired the brand's name but also established its early reputation for open, natural sound and unwavering reliability, with headquarters just outside Montréal.

The brand specializes in high-performance electronics, excelling in amplifiers, preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and processors for both music and home theater systems. Early models set the tone for authoritative power delivery, evolving into robust units delivering 250-300 watts per channel while maintaining sonic finesse. Classé has consistently prioritized no-compromise research and manufacturing, focusing on components that deliver theater-grade dynamics and musical precision without venturing into speakers, turntables, DACs, headphones, or cables.

Positioned firmly in the high-end market, Classé commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its Canadian heritage and build quality, once handcrafted in Quebec. Acquired by the B&W Group in 2001 and later by Sound United in 2018, it remains a benchmark for reliable, powerful electronics that prioritize longevity and uncolored reproduction, appealing to buyers seeking investment-grade hi-fi.

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