SSP-800 Surround Sound Processor
Information
The surround sound processor is the core of a high-end home theater system. It is the conduit through which all source signals flow and it performs the critical tasks of decoding various audio formats, converting digital signals to analog, and then pre-amplifying the analog signals in as pure a manner as possible.
It must allow high definition video to pass through uncorrupted. A surround sound processor can either limit or gloriously reveal the full potential of every component in the home theater system. Proliferation of the latest high-definition audio and video technologies served as the inspiration for a new challenge: the creation of the definitive SSP—a surround sound processor to set the standard for the high definition era. The result is the SSP-800, Classé’s statement preamp/processor.
The SSP-800 is a ten-channel preamp/processor, offering both balanced and single-ended connections for all channels. Audio Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is handled by Texas Instruments processors, which operate in 64-bit double precision. Floating point arithmetic is used for all audio signal calculations to ensure the most accurate results possible. All bass management filters, level adjustments and parametric EQ filters also benefit from the added precision. Two DSPs, each rated at 2800 MIPS (Million Instructions per Second) provide HD Audio decoding and the power to handle a vast array of post processing features at full resolution.
Powerful DSP is only one of many of the SSP-800’s outstanding qualities. Throughout the SSP-800 are examples of cutting edge technology and superior design techniques, employed in the service of better sound. We evaluate performance by listening to music, which remains the most reliable method of judging sound quality. In fact, no surround processor can accurately reproduce movie sound if it fails to reproduce music properly. At Classé, our first priority is developing components that perform exceptionally well with music—this is our heritage from the first component we manufactured more than thirty years ago. We then turn our attention to processor decoding capabilities and developing features that enhance flexibility and in-room performance.
In addition to high performance, quality and technology, the SSP-800 offers the flexibility to handle a wide range of real world applications. Its ten-channel design creates the possibility of configuring two channels for additional subwoofers, as mirrors of the front left and right channels for bi-amplifying, or delivering audio to a separate room or system. Five-band manual parametric equalization is provided for each of the ten channels to help tune the system to its environment. Menu driven front panel controls allow a high degree of customization for an ideal user experience.
The SSP-800 has found its way into the AV systems of countless industry professionals and enthusiasts around the world.* It has met its design objective, becoming the de facto standard for high-performance multichannel processing.
* Also available in our rack-friendly Custom Theater chassis.
Specifications
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Inputs and outputs |
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HDMI 1.4 |
5 in / 2 out |
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Component |
2 in / 1 out |
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Composite |
2 in |
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COAX |
4 in / 1 out |
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Optical |
4 in / 1 out |
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Analog XLR |
1 pair in / 5 pair out |
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Analog RCA |
1 set 7.1 in / 2 pair in / 5 pair out |
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DC trigger out |
2 |
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IR |
1 in / 1 out |
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CAN Bus |
1 in / 1 out |
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USB |
1 |
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RS-232 |
1 |
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Video measurements |
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Input impedance |
75 ohms Composite / component |
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Output impedance |
75 ohms Component |
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HDMI |
Fully 1.4 compliant supporting ARC, HEC, 3D video |
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Audio measurements |
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Maximum output level |
8vrms |
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Maximum input level |
2vrms |
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Output impedance |
56 ohms |
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Input impedance |
100kohms |
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Total harmonic |
0.001% |
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distortion |
Digital source / Bypassed analog source |
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Frequency response |
20Hz – 200kHz <0.1dB |
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Signal to noise ratio |
102dB |
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Audio formats |
Dolby Digital Surround EX |
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Post processing modes |
Dolby pro logic IIx |
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Video conversion |
Composite to component and HDMI |
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Dimensions |
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Width |
17.5” (445mm) |
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Depth |
16.5” (419mm) (excluding connectors) |
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Height |
6.75” (172mm) |
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Gross weight |
29 lb (13 kg) |
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Net weight |
38 lb (17 kg) |
Product Info Sheet
SSP-800 - Product Info Sheet - English
How to check the current Firmware of your Sigma 2200i
- Press the MENU button on the left of the touchscreen
- Press STATUS
How to update Sigma 2200i Firmware
- download the latest Firmware package
- unzip the downloaded file on your local computer
- copy the unzipped file onto a new USB key. This key must be empty. The file must be located at the "root" level
- power off your Sigma 2200i using the Power switch on the rear of the unit
- insert the USB stick in the front USB port
- Power on the Sigma 2200i using the power switch in the rear of the unit
- the Firmware update will start automatically and will take xx minutes
- At the end of the Firmware update the unit will ask you calibrate the touchscreen by tipping multiple calibration targets with a tipped object (lead pencil, fingernail, stylus)
What to do when your Firmware Update fails
- simply power down the unit and remove the USB key, the unit should revert back to its previous Firmware Version when your power on again
- insert the USB key into your local computer and open the USB key (file explorer)
- you will notice that 2 LOG files have been written to the USB key. Copy these log file to your local computer. You can send them to Classé Tech Support for further evaluation
- In most cases the software update fails because of an issue with the USB key (previous vendor formatting, file allocation issues). We recommend to buy a clean new USB key and repeat teh Firmware download and update procedure.
Firmware History
- Version 3.1.0 - August 2016 - download
- Version 3.0.2 - June 2012 - download
- Version 2.0.6 - June 2012 - download
- Version 2.0.5 - April 2011 - download
- Version 3.0.1 - January 2011 - download
- Version 3.0.0 - December 2010 - download
- Version 2.0.4 - August 2010 - download
- Version 2.0.2 - March 2010 - download
- Version 2.0.1 - November 2009 - download
- Version 1.0.4 - October 2009 - download
- Version 2.0.0 - September 2009 - download
- Version 1.0.2 - February 2009 - download
- Version 1.0.1 - December 2008 - download
- Version 1.0.0 - August 2008 - download
Initial Installation
For the initial installation we refer you to pages 9, 10 and 11 of the Owner's Manual.
Extra considerations, based on Customer Service reports:
1. When first powering up the unit, check if the Firmware is Up-to-Date.
Press the Menu button the left of the Touchscreen, then press the STATUS button to check the current FW Version installed. On this Web Page, click on the "Latest Firmware" Tab to see if your unit has the latest FW. If not download the firmware and follow the instructions.
2. Please do send in your Warranty Registration!
Sending in your Warranty Registration via our public website is the best way to ensure that we can reach you for product-related updates.
3. Start by programming your Speaker Configurations, then the Inputs.
Pages 22 to 24 of the Owner's Manual will give you the correct sequence of connecting all equipment.
Many customers, however, stop there and do not take FULL advantage of the unit's powerful sound processing capabilities. By accurately programming your Speaker Configuration(s) your SSP will "know" how to correctly decode and process the incoming signal. In fact, you can create multiple Speaker Configurations and use them according to your Input sources: 5.1.2, 5.1 and Full Range Stereo are amongst the most important configurations. See the Section below.
Once you have programmed your Speaker Configuration(s) you can set up your Inputs which will then allow you to "link" the Speaker Configurations to the Inputs and choose the default Processing Modes you would like to use.
Both the default Configuration as well as default Mode you programmed for a given Input can be overridden in Real Time, if you wish to do so.
Speaker Configuration
The Sigma SSP has eight separate Audio Outputs:
- 2 balanced Front outputs,
- 1 unbalanced Center (dialogue) output
- 4 unbalanced Surround/rear Ouputs
- 1 dedicated unbalanced LFE (subwoofer) output.
The most common configurations are:
- Full Range Stereo (only), also called 2.0
- 5.1 = Left, Center (dialogue), Right, then Left Surround and Right Surround, and a LFE channel output.
- 7.1 = 5.1 with additional Left Rear and Right Rear outputs
- In the case of Sigma SSP MKII you can additionally use 5.1.2 - that is 5.1 with two "Height" channels instead of 2 "Rear" Channels.
We STRONGLY suggest to start by programming the Speaker Configurations first, so that these are available when it is time to assign Configurations to Inputs. The advantage for the SSP is that the Surround Processor has a clear directive on how to handle incoming audio signals.
Input Configuration (Source Setup)
Once you have created the Speaker Configurations, we suggest you program the Inputs or Sources.
- Each Input on the SSP can be assigned a Hardware Audio Connector and a Hardware Video Connector. This is one of the truly flexible features of the Sigma SSP: there are no hard-wired buttons; the Input Assignment works like a patch panel, or Matrix.
- Each Input can be assigned a Default Speaker Configuration and a Default Processing Mode (including "discrete", which uses the incoming signal "as is"), which can be overridden in Real-Time
- Each Input can be given a specific Name via the CAN-Bus Screen.
- Inputs can be activated or de-activated, so that only the "active inputs" are visible in the Menus.
For more detailed information, see pages 34-36 (Source Setup) of the Owner's Manual.
Home Automation
Other than using the Touch Screen or the Remote Control, the SSP-800 and the CT-SSP are also equipped (on the rear panel) with a IR-input and IR-output (daisy chain), two 12V DC Trigger Outputs, CAN-Bus and a RS232 input for automation systems like Crestron, Savant, AMX, Control 4, etc..
IR Remote Control Codes
- SSP-800/CT-SSP Surround Sound Processor - IR Codes.pdf | HEX Codes.pdf
RS232 Protocol
- SSP-800/CT-SSP RS232 Protocol.pdf (SSP-800 Protocol for both units)
Automation Drivers
- Crestron Driver
- Control4 Driver
- Savant Driver
Export and Import User Settings
Using a USB Key, you can export and import User Settings. This is useful if you want to do a Factory reset (prior to executing the reset), if you nwat to back up your settings to an external USB Key, or if you want to copy User Settings from another Sigma 2200i to a different unit.
Export User Settings to USB Key
- Insert an empty USB Key into the USB slot in the Front of the unit
- A Dialogue Window will appear asking you if you want to update Firmware, or if you want to Import/Export User Settings.
- Click the button that states "Goto Import/Export"
- Select Export Settings
- Wait for the dialogue window that confirms "done"
- Wait for the unit to go into Standby
- Remove the USB key
Import User Settings from USB Key
The Import User Settings from can be used in one of two ways:
- To restore User Settings after Factory Reset;
- To import User Settings from a different unit, aka to "copy" settings from one unit to another unit
1. Restore User Settings after Factory Reset
- Insert the USB Key that has the User Settings on it
- Select the button "Goto Import/Export" on the touchscreen
- Select "Import Settings"
- On the Settings Import page, make sure the first checkbox "S/N" is selected, ignore the other checbox and the keypad
- Click "Import Settings"
- Wait for the dialogue window that confirms "done"
- Wait for the unit to go into Standby
- Remove the USB key
2. Import User Settings from a different unit (copy User Settings)
- Insert the USB Key that has the User Settings on it
- IMPORTANT: Make sure you have written down the Serial Number of the unit from which you exported the User Settings originally.
- Select the button "Goto Import/Export" on the touchscreen
- Select "Import Settings"
- On the Settings Import page, make sure to uncheck the first checkbox "S/N"
- Using the Keypad on screen, type in the 4 missing digits of the Serial Number of the unit where the user Settings originated from
- Click "Import Settings"
- Wait for the dialogue window that confirms "done"
- Wait for the unit to go into Standby
- Remove the USB key
Export User Settings to USB Key
- Insert an empty USB Key into the USB slot in the Front of the unit
- A Dialogue Window will come up asking you if you are updating Firmware, or if you wnat to Import/Export User Settings.
- Click the button that states "Import/Export"
- Select Export Settings
- Wait for the dialogue window that confirms "done"
- Wait for the unit to go into Standby
- Remove the USB key
Import User Settings from USB Key
The Import User Settings from can be used in one of two ways:
- To restore User Settings after Factory Reset;
- To import User Settings from a different unit, aka to "copy" settings form one unit to another unit
Factory Reset
A Factory Reset (called "Restore Defaults") erases all User Settings and resets the unit's parameters to factory default.
A Factory Reset is useful when you want to program your unit from scratch, when you sell your unit to another customer or when your unit has unexpected behavior that may be related to conflicting settings.
Reset Procedure
NOTE: The Reset Procedure will erase all your User Settings and cannot be undone. However, you can Archive your User Settings to to Internal Memory prior to Factory Reset (see information below).
- On the unit, press the MENU button located at the left of the touchscreen
- Using the Classé Remote Control, press, in sequence, the buttons F1, F2, F3, F4
- Select 'Restore Factory Defaults' to reset the unit.
- If there are programmed settings that need to be saved, choose the 'Archive Settings' button prior to selecting the Restore Factory Defaults.
After the unit has been reset, repeat the above procedure but now choose 'Restore Settings' to restore the programmed settings to the unit.
Export User Settings to Windows PC
Import User Settings from a Windows PC
The Import User Settings from can be used in one of two ways:
- To restore User Settings after Factory Reset;
- To import User Settings from a different unit, aka to "copy" settings from one unit to another unit
Voltage
- The Sigma 2000i can operate on AC Voltages between 110V - 240V.
- Make sure to change the AC Fuse (rear) to match the AC Voltage of your country.
When you change the fuse to accomodate a different AC Voltage, please contact Classé to obtain a new sticker for the back of your unit that indicates the newOperating Voltage. Without this, another user/customer might make a mistake in the AC Voltage and Fuse Value.
Fuse
- The Sigma 2200i has one fuse accessible via the rear panel;
- Make sure that the AC Fuse corresponds to the AC Voltage offered;
Fuse Specifications
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For 100-120 Volts
Fuse Value: T6.3AH 250V
Description: IEC time lag, high breaking capacity, 6.3A 250V
Classé Part No. 51764877-00 0
Schurter Part No. 0001.2512
Littlefuse Part No. 21506.3
- For 220-230-240 Volts
Fuse Value: T3.15AH 250V
Description: IEC time lag, high breaking capacity, 3.15A 250V)
Classé Part No. 51764794-00
Schurter Part No. 0001.2509
Littlefuse Part No. 2153.15
Image Gallery
Drawings 2D/3D
- SSP-800 - 2D Drawing.pdf
- SSP-800 - Back Panel Drawing.pdf
Info Sheet
- SSP-800 Info Sheet - English