User manual CLASSE AUDIO CA-2100

[. . . ] Owner's Manual CA-2100 Power Amplifier WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. CAUTION RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. NOTICE All of us at Classé take extreme care to ensure that your purchase will remain a prized investment. We are proud to inform you that all Classé components have been officially approved for the European Community (CE) mark. This means that your Classé product was subjected to the most rigorous manufacturing and safety tests in the world. [. . . ] If a channel's LED indicators blink red, there is a problem in that particular channel. If all the Channel LEDs are blinking red, there may be a systemic problem that is not specific to a particular channel. 3 Caution! If you see any Channel LED Indicator blinking red, please disconnect the amplifier from the AC mains immediately and check that all external connections are cleanly made and secure. If the AC mains are not easily accessible, you can press and hold the Standby button for three seconds to reset the amplifier. If no fault is immediately obvious, please call your authorized Classé dealer for assistance. 4 Mode button The Mode button is used (along with the Select button) when configuring the amplifier for either balanced or single-ended operation. It is also used when configuring the turn-on delay and amplifier number of the amplifier when it is connected to a Classé preamplifier by the CAN-Bus communications or Trigger systems. 12 Rear Panel The following descriptions are intended as a quick reference, should you have any questions about your new product. Please see the next section (entitled Initial Setup) for specific advice on incorporating your new amplifier into your system. 1 Balanced (XLR) Input Balanced audio interconnections were originally developed in the professional audio world, for preserving the delicate nuances of extremely small microphone-level signals. For many years now, they have also been used by performance-oriented consumer companies like Classé to preserve every nuance of the finest audio performances in your collection. Technically, balanced audio interconnections provide two distinct benefits: they double the signal's strength as it travels from one component to the next, increasing the potential signal to noise ratio by 6 dB; they also do an excellent job of rejecting noise and interference that might otherwise be picked up between the components, due to either EMI (electromagnetic interference) or RFI (radio frequency interference). In the world of wireless telecommunications, there is more potential interference around than ever before--it makes sense to keep it out of music and movie soundtracks. For this reason, we strongly recommend using the balanced analog interconnections between your Classé components wherever possible. 13 The pin assignments of these XLR input connectors are: Pin 1: Signal ground Pin 2: Signal + (non-inverting) Pin 3: Signal ­ (inverting) Connector ground lug: chassis ground These pin assignments are consistent with the standard adopted by the Audio Engineering Society (AES14-1992). If you are using your Classé power amplifier with a Classé preamplifier, you're all set ­ just take standard balanced interconnect cables and plug them in. Then engage that input on the power amplifier by configuring it as described in Initial Setup. If you are using another brand of preamplifier, please refer to the operating manual of your balanced-output preamplifier to verify that the pin assignments of its output connectors correspond to your amplifier. If not, have your dealer wire the cables so that the appropriate output pin connects to the equivalent input pin. 2 Single-Ended (RCA) Input Single-ended cables using RCA connectors are the most common form of analog connection used in consumer electronics. When implemented carefully and with use of high quality interconnecting cables, this standard can provide excellent performance. Classé has gone to extraordinary effort to ensure that the single-ended (RCA) inputs of your power amplifier are as good as possible. However, this connection standard cannot offer the immunity from interference that balanced interconnection does--hence our recommendation to use the balanced inputs when possible. If you elect to use the single-ended inputs of your Classé power amplifier, you need to engage them by configuring the amplifier as described in Initial Setup. 3 Speaker Outputs Two pairs of high quality five-way binding posts are provided on the amplifier, in order to facilitate "bi-wiring. " In practice, bi-wiring involves connecting two (preferably identical) sets of speaker cables between each amplifier channel and its corresponding loudspeaker. In many cases, the benefit is a subjectively improved level of clarity and detail from the speaker, as a result of being able to feed the two separate sections of its crossover and driver complement with identical, yet separate signals. (Many high quality loudspeakers also offer two sets of connections on their speakers. Generally, one set of the connections on the loudspeaker feeds the portion of the speaker's crossover network that supplies the woofer with its signal; the other set of connections connects to the portion of the crossover that supplies the rest of the speaker with the midrange and high frequencies. ) 14 Although the binding posts on your Classé amplifier will accept bare wire connections, we strongly recommend the use of high quality spade or hook lugs, crimped and soldered onto the ends of your speaker wires. [. . . ] Disconnect your amplifier from the AC mains, as well as from its input connections and speaker connections, and remove the fuse cover on the rear of the unit. 2. 3. 4. 26 b. If the fuse appears to be blown, replace it only with a fuse of the same type and rating (specified below). Using any other type of fuse, particularly a larger-value fuse, can result in permanent damage to your amplifier. If you are uncomfortable replacing the fuse yourself, contact your Classé dealer for assistance. [. . . ]