User manual CLASSE AUDIO CA-M400

[. . . ] Owner's Manual CA-M400 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. [. . . ] Channel status LED indicators Your amplifier has two front-panel Channel LED indicators. There is a separate LED to indicate the use of either the balanced (XLR) or singleended (RCA) input. These indicators are also used to indicate fault conditions in your amplifier, should any ever arise. If either of the Channel LED indicators blinks red, there is a problem with your amplifier. 3 Caution! If you see a 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 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 or amplifier number for connection with a Classé preamplifier by the DC Trigger or CAN-Bus control systems. 12 WARNING CAN BUS IN OUT RS232 REPLACE FUSE WITH SAME TYPE AND RATING ONLY IN OUT IN OUT IR TR 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 companies such as 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 those of 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) input of your power amplifier is 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 input of your Classé power amplifier, you need to engage it by configuring the amplifier as described in the section 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. [. . . ] · Make sure you are providing adequate ventilation to the amplifier, and that the ambient room temperature is below 105°F (40°C). · Run through the troubleshooting sequence outlined above (assuming the amplifier is going into its protection mode). There is a specific troubleshooting procedure for a blown AC mains fuse, since this rare occurrence sometimes indicates a significant problem. 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. 25 b. [. . . ]