Classé Audio Delta PRE Mk II

Edgar Kramer calls it "as quiet a preamp as I’ve experienced" and says it delivers "excellent levels of detail" while acting as a "pure messenger." Aron Garrecht also describes it as "well resolved," and both reviews stress how little the preamp adds of its own.

The tonal balance is repeatedly described as accurate, neutral, and musically satisfying rather than etched or mechanical. Kramer notes "pleasing listenability" and "accurate tonality," while Garrecht hears a "dead neutral" voice and a presentation that can be adjusted toward either cooler clarity or more warmth and weight.

Dynamic behavior is a consistent strength, with both reviewers hearing solid drive and convincing punch. Kramer praises "satisfying dynamics" and a sound that is "detailed, fluid, controlled and dynamic," while Garrecht highlights "gripping" speed and attack, plus strong rhythmic authority from drums and bass.

The soundstage is described as spacious and convincingly dimensional, with stable image placement and good scale. Kramer says the neutrality translates to a more truthful soundstage dimensionality, and Garrecht hears a noticeable increase in stage size, with a voice locked dead center and images rendered with specificity and presence.

Reviewers speak very highly of the physical execution, calling the build "first-class" and "superbly built." The chassis layout and rear-panel execution are also praised for efficiency, though the reviews are more enthusiastic about construction quality than about long-term reliability details.

This is an exceptionally well-equipped preamp with balanced analog inputs and outputs, multiple digital inputs, built-in DAC, MM/MC phono stage, headphone amplifier, Ethernet streaming, app control, remote, and configurable outputs. Reviewer coverage emphasizes how much functionality is packed into one component, and that breadth is a major part of its appeal.

At a price around $9,999 to $11,500, reviewers present it as expensive but strongly justified by what it replaces and includes. Kramer says the built-in DAC can compete with separate DACs up to AU$10K or more, and Garrecht argues the internal upgrades and broad feature set help justify the price versus the earlier CP-800 and standalone alternatives.