Classe Ct M300 Monaural Users Manual

2015-07-20

: Classe Classe-Ct-M300-Monaural-Users-Manual-770470 classe-ct-m300-monaural-users-manual-770470 classe pdf

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Owners Manual
CA-M300 / CT-M300
300W Monaural Amplifier
2
Classé marks the “CE” symbol indicating compliance of this device with the EMC (Electromagnetic
Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the European Community.
Classé complies with the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/96/EC concerning Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). is product must be appropriately recycled or processed in accordance with
these directives. Consult your local waste disposal authority for guidance.
Classé products are designed and manufactured to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
as stated in the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/95/EC.
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 ocially approved for the European Community (CE) mark.
is means that your Classé product was subjected to the most rigorous manufacturing and safety tests in the world. e CE
mark certies that your purchase meets or exceeds all European Community requirements for manufacturing consistency and
consumer safety.
is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) is device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
is device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. ese limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. is equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment on and o, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna;
• Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandthereceiver;
• Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdierentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected;
• Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.
CAUTION:Changesormodicationstothisequipmentnotexpresslyapprovedbythemanufacturercouldvoidtheusers
authority to operate the equipment.
e information contained in the manual is subject to change without notice. e most current version of this manual will be
posted on our web site at http://www.classeaudio.com.
3
Important Safety Instructions
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with dry cloth.
7. Donotblockanyventilationopenings.Installinaccordancewiththemanufacturersinstructions.
8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce
heat.
9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. e
wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not t into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and
the point where they exit from the apparatus.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specied by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid in-
jury from tip-over.
13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
14. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged
in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.
15. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects lled with liquids, such as
vases, are placed on the apparatus.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,
DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
e lightning ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user
tothepresenceofuninsulated“dangerousvoltage“withintheproduct’senclosurethatmaybeofsuf-
cient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.
e exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of im-
portant operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
4
Contents
Welcome to the Classé family ..........................................................................5
a word about installation ....................................................................................... 5
Unpacking and Placement ...............................................................................6
unpacking your amplifier .......................................................................................6
placement ..............................................................................................................6
ventilation ..............................................................................................................6
custom installations ...............................................................................................6
serial number .........................................................................................................6
operating voltage ...................................................................................................7
warm up/break-in period .......................................................................................8
please read this manual… ......................................................................................8
highly refined circuit design ...................................................................................9
extensive listening tests ..........................................................................................9
extraordinary longevity .......................................................................................... 9
robust protection ..................................................................................................10
Front Panel ..................................................................................................... 11
Rear Panel ......................................................................................................13
Installation .....................................................................................................18
CT-M300 stand-alone installation instructions .....................................................18
CAN-Bus ..............................................................................................................21
features ..............................................................................................................21
hardware setup .................................................................................................. 21
using CAN-Bus.....................................................................................................23
CAN-Bus shared features .................................................................................... 24
configuration........................................................................................................24
operate .................................................................................................................24
AC status ..............................................................................................................24
status .................................................................................................................... 24
name ....................................................................................................................24
global brightness ..................................................................................................24
global standby ................................................................................. 24
CAN-Bus model-specific features ......................................................................... 25
PlayLink ........................................................................................... 25
amp info .......................................................................................... 26
event log .......................................................................................... 26
Care and Maintenance ...................................................................................27
Troubleshooting .............................................................................................28
Specifications .................................................................................................30
Dimensions ....................................................................................................31
5
Welcome to the Classé family
Congratulations on your purchase of a Classé amplier. It is the result of many
years of continuous renement, and we are sure that you will enjoy it for many
years to come.
We value our relationship with our customers. Please allow us to stay in touch
with you by returning your warranty card now, before you pack up the shipping
carton of your new product and forget all about it. Doing so will enable us to
let you know about any possible future upgrades or updates that might become
available for your Classé component.
You can register online at www.classeaudio.com or complete and mail the
registration card located in the separate warranty booklet.
Please take a few moments now to register your new
Classé amplifier and record your serial number here for
future reference.
Serial #: _________________________________________
a word about installation EveryeorthasbeenmadetomaketheClasséCA-M300/CT-M300simpleand
straightforward to install and use.
eCT-M300hasbeendesignedspecicallyforrackmountinstallations,
although it may just as easily be placed on a shelf, in a traditional cabinet or on
the oor near the speaker(s).
e size and shape of your room, its acoustics, and the associated equipment you
have chosen to use with your amplier all inuence the ultimate performance of
your system.
For this reason, we strongly encourage you to have your
system installed and calibrated by your dealer, whose
experience, training, and specialized equipment can
make a profound difference in the final performance of
the system.
6
Unpacking and Placement
unpacking your amplifier Carefully unpack your power amplier according to the supplied instructions,
and remove all accessories from the carton. Please take care when lifting the
amplier, as it is quite heavy.
Important! Keep all packing materials for future transport of your
Classé amplifier. Shipping your new component in
anything other than its purpose-designed packing material
may result in damage that is not covered by the warranty.
placement Many installations will utilize an equipment rack, although a shelf, a traditional
cabinet or the oor near the speaker(s) are acceptable alternatives. In any
case, take care to position it well away from source components and preamp/
processors,whichmaybesensitivetotheamplierselectromagneticelds.
Note that adequate clearance for the AC cord and connecting cables
must be left behind the amplier. We suggest leaving six inches (15 cm)
of free space behind your power amplier to allow all cables sucient
room to bend without crimping or undue strain.
ventilation Your Classé power amplier generates a certain amount of heat in the course
of normal operation. e vents on both the bottom and the top of the
amplier must be kept free from any obstruction which would reduce the ow
of air through the unit. Avoid placement on soft surfaces that would restrict
airow (such as plush carpeting).
custom installations Drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installations and
custom cabinetry (see the section Dimensions). A purpose-designed rack
mountkitisincludedwiththeCT-M300.ContactyourClassédealerformore
information.
serial number e serial number for your power amplier is found on the rear of the unit.
Please note and record this number on the page entitled Important Safety
Instructions for your future reference.
7
operating voltage e amplier is set at the factory (internally) for 100V, 120V, 220V, 230V, or
240V AC mains operation, as appropriate for the country in which it is to be
sold (230V only in European Union countries, in compliance with CE regulations).
e voltage setting may not be changed by the user or dealer.
Make sure that the label on the rear panel of your power amplier indicates
the correct AC operating voltage for your location. Attempting to operate your
power amplier at an incorrect voltage may damage the unit.
Warning: The voltage setting of your power amplifier may not be
changed by the user. There are no user-serviceable parts
within the unit. Please refer any problems to an authorized
Classé service center.
If the AC mains voltage indicated on your power amplier is incorrect, please
contact your local, authorized Classé dealer or distributor.
e amplier can easily be powered by a normal 15 or 20-ampere AC mains
line. If other devices are also powered from the same AC line, their additional
power consumption should be taken into account.
e amplier includes protection circuitry that will prevent the amplier from
operating at dangerously high or low voltages.
• At startup: the AC mains voltage must be within a range of
approximately -15% to +10% of its nominal value at startup, or
the amplier will not turn on. For example, a 120V unit requires
the AC mains to be between approximately 95V–135V in order to
turn on.
• Over-voltage during operation: if the AC mains voltage surges
by roughly 10% or more during operation, the amplier will enter
protection mode and shut down. e Standby LED will ash to
indicate the protection mode has been engaged.
• Under-voltage during operation: if the AC mains voltage sags by
15% or more, the amplier will continue to play (since this does
not present a particular danger to the amplier), but note that
it may not be able to achieve its usual standard of performance
under these compromised conditions. e Standby LED will ash
to indicate the condition.
8
warm up/break-in period Your new Classé power amplier will deliver outstanding performance
immediately. However, you should expect to hear it improve somewhat as
it reaches its normal operating temperatures and its various components
“break-in.” It has been our experience that the greatest changes occur within the
rst 300 hours, as the amplier reaches thermal equilibrium and the capacitors
fully form. After this initial break-in period, the performance of your new
amplier should remain quite consistent for years to come.
e only exception to this rule is if the unit is placed in standby or unplugged for
an extended period of time, allowing it to cool down. Depending on the degree
of cooling involved, you should expect a brief warm-up period (on the order of
10-15minutes)beforethepoweramplier’ssoundqualityisatitsbest.Unless
your amplier was allowed to become quite chilled, subsequent thermal re-
stabilization should not take long. Fortunately, you should never have to repeat
the initial 300 hour break-in period.
please read this manual… Please take a few minutes to review this manual, and to familiarize yourself with
your new amplier. We understand that you are anxious to plug everything in
and get started. However, reading this manual and following the advice it gives
will ensure that you get all the benets you deserve from having purchased such
a ne piece of equipment.
9
Special Design Features
highly refined
circuit design is Classé amplier benets from the use of high quality component parts,
application of advanced electronics design principles and exhaustive testing. Its
design uses fewer parts in the signal path than is typical, while also achieving
outstanding measured performance. is unusual accomplishment showcases
boththeinnovationofthedesignandthepersistenceoftheClasséDesignTeam.
extensive listening tests Excellent measured performance is to be expected in world-class products, and
Classé products deliver that performance. However, experience has shown that
technical excellence alone is insucient to guarantee subjectively musical results.
For this reason, all Classé products are laboriously ne-tuned during the
development process by carefully controlled listening tests. Our ears are still
some of the nest laboratory test instruments available, and nicely complement
more traditional engineering test equipment. We rely on careful listening tests,
which we view as a necessary complement to the solid engineering you should
rightly expect from Classé.
extraordinary longevity eClasséDesignTeamhasaccumulatedvastexperienceinwhatworkswell
over the long term.
By using only the highest quality parts to begin with, and then using them in an
informed way as a result of both accelerated aging experiments and actual long-
term experience, we are able to design and manufacture products which we are
condent will stand the test of time.
We are condent that your new Classé amplier will give you many years of
trouble-free reliability and musical enjoyment, just as previous Classé products
have given their owners.
10
robust protection Finally, your new Classé amplier incorporates a variety of protection circuits, all
designed to protect both the amplier and your loudspeakers against dangerous
fault conditions. Signicantly, these protection circuits do not intrude upon
orlimitthenormalperformanceoftheamplier;rather,theysimplyputthe
amplier into protection mode when confronted with abnormal conditions.
ese conditions include:
• outputoverload
• DCoset
• ACmainsvoltage(outsideofnormaltolerances)
• excessiveoperatingtemperatures
If any such conditions occur (any of which might harm either your amplier or
possibly your loudspeakers), the amplier will immediately go into protection
mode. In such a case, a Standby LED indicator will blink red until the fault can
be righted and the amplier is re-started by pressing and holding the standby
button.
Likewise, if the AC mains voltage is out of range, the Standby LED will
blink. In all cases, the unit will need to be re-started once the cause of the fault
condition has been rectied.
11
Front Panel
1 Standby button & LED indicator
e front panel Standby button will toggle the amplier between operate,
its fully operational state, and a standby mode that leaves the amplier o,
yet ready to respond to system commands via any of the supported control
options(e.g.IRinput,DCtrigger,CAN-Bus,orRS-232).
e current state of the amplier is indicated by the LED indicator in the
Standby button. e state of this LED indicates the following:
• on(dimred) = standby
• ashingblue(onpower-up)= initialization
• on(blue) = operate
• ashing (after power-up) = AC mains voltage out of range
• ashing
(alternating red/blue)
= the air intake lter needs to be cleaned
• slow ashing (red) = protection circuit(s) engaged
1
CA-M300
CT-M300
12
When in standby,theampliersgainstagesarepowereddown.Onlya
small power supply and control circuit remain on, consuming relatively
little power. Fortunately, since the output stages by their nature conduct a
great deal of current, they warm up and sound their best very quickly.
If you are not going to use the amplier for an extended period of time,
we suggest you disconnect it from the AC mains. Please be certain that the
amplier is in standby prior to disconnecting it from the AC mains.
Also, it is a good practice to physically disconnect any and all valuable
electronics from the AC mains during electrical storms, as a lightning
strike anywhere near your home can put a tremendous surge on the AC
mains that can easily damage any piece of electronics, no matter how well
designed and protected. e best protection in the case of severe electrical
storms is to simply remove the electronics from any connection with the
power grid.
Caution! If you see the Standby LED indicator blinking red, please
check that all external connections are cleanly made
and secure. If no fault is immediately obvious, try to
reset the amplifier by pressing and holding the standby
button. If the unit does not reset or continues to enter
protection mode, please call your authorized Classé
dealer for assistance.
13
100-120~
220-240~
CAUTION! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, GROUNDING
OF THE CENTER PIN OF THIS PLUG MUST BE MAINTAINED
AVIS! POUR RÉDUIRE LE RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
LA FICHE CENTRALE DE LA PRISE DOIT ÊTRE
BRANCHÉE POUR MAINTENIR LA MISE À LA TERRE
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
SHOCK HAZARD - DO NOT OPEN
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.
OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
(1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND
(2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,
INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
RS 232
USB
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
IR
IN
OUT
CAN BUS
TRIGGER
CLASS 2 WIRING
OUTPUT
INPUT
12
10 9 34
5687
OUTPUT
RS 232
USB
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
IR
IN
OUT
CAN BUS
TRIGGER
CAUTION! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, GROUNDING
OF THE CENTER PIN OF THIS PLUG MUST BE MAINTAINED
AVIS! POUR RÉDUIRE LE RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE
LA FICHE CENTRALE DE LA PRISE DOIT ÊTRE
BRANCHÉE POUR MAINTENIR LA MISE À LA TERRE
RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR
SHOCK HAZARD - DO NOT OPEN
THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.
OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
(1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND
(2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,
INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
CLASS 2 WIRING
100-120~
220-240~
T6.3AE 250V
T315AE 250V
Rear Panel
e 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 specic advice on incorporating your new amplier into your
system.
1 Balanced (XLR) Input
Balanced audio interconnections were originally developed for the
telephone and more recently 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 nest audio performances in
your collection.
14
Technically,balancedaudiointerconnectionsprovidetwodistinctbenets:
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.
e 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
ese pin assignments are consistent with the standard adopted by the
Audio Engineering Society (AES14-1992).
If you are using your Classé power amplier with a Classé preamplier/
processor,youreallset–justremovethesuppliedshortingpinsfromthe
amplier’sXLRconnector(s),takestandardbalancedinterconnectcables
and plug them in.
If you are using another brand of preamplier or processor, please refer to its
operating manual to verify that the pin assignments of its output connectors
correspond to those of your amplier. If not, have your dealer obtain cables
with the appropriate output pin connecting 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 eort
to ensure that the single-ended (RCA) input of your power amplier is
as good as possible. However, this connection standard cannot oer the
immunity from interference that balanced interconnection does—hence
our recommendation to use the balanced inputs when possible.
3 Speaker Outputs
Twopairsofhighqualityve-way binding posts are provided on the
amplier, in order to facilitate bi-wiring.
In practice, bi-wiring involves connecting two (preferably identical) sets
of speaker cables between each amplier channel and its corresponding
loudspeaker. In many cases, the benet 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 oer two sets of connections on their
15
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.)
Although the binding posts on your Classé amplier 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. Using
high quality connectors will ensure that your speaker connections do not
gradually deteriorate from fraying and oxidizing bare wires. It also helps
prevent accidental short-circuits from poorly-terminated connections.
4 Classé CAN-Bus Control Ports
ese RJ-45 connectors are reserved for control and communication
applicationsusingClasséAudiosimplementationoftheControllerArea
Network(CAN)Busspecication.RefertotheCAN-Bus section located
later in this manual for more information.
5 IR Input and Output
Your Classé amplier includes two 1/8th-inch mini mono-jacks in order to
support the IR remote controls that are ubiquitous today. IR commands
exist for toggling the amplier between operate and standby, as well as
discrete command codes for either operate or standby. ese codes may be
used in “macros” for sophisticated remote control systems, facilitating the
control of the amplier in the larger context of a complete system.
Actually, this IR Input and Output description is a bit of a misnomer: the
input supplied to these plugs is electrical in nature, not IR. It is obtained by
using standard IR receivers, distribution ampliers, and emitters (available
fromyourdealer)totranslatetheremotesashesofinfraredlightinto
corresponding pulses of electricity. e big advantages here include being
able to easily route the signals anywhere they might need to go, and the
reliability of a solid electrical connection.
Since an IR distribution system such as your dealer may design for you
usually must control many products, your amplier includes both an IR
input (for the control of this product) and an IR output (so as to pass
along the same signal to the next product). is allows you to “daisy chain
your control wires from one product to the next.
e amplier is designed to respond to IR commands of 5 Volts DC, with
the tip of the mini-plugs dened to be “positive” relative to the shank of
the plug.
16
6 DC Trigger Input and Output
Many audio/video preampliers can supply a DC control voltage to
associated equipment in order to induce desired behavior. Your Classé
amplier can take advantage of these capabilities in order to be switched
between operate and standby automatically, perhaps in concert with the
A/V preamp itself.
Two1/8th-inch mini mono-jacks provide this remote-controlled turn-on
(that is, toggling between operate and standby) of the amplier. ese jacks
provide a simple pass-through of the control voltage from one to the other,
allowing you to “daisy-chain” a series of ampliers quite easily.
e remote trigger will be operated by the presence of 5–12 Volts DC,
with tip polarity as shown below:
7 RS 232 Control Port
is DB-9 connector has two purposes:
• downloadingnewoperatingsoftwareintoyouramplier(should
new features ever be added, for example)
• forexternalcontrolofyouramplierbysystemssuchas
AMX®, Crestronand Control 4
For more information, please contact your dealer and ask about home
automation systems.
8 USB Control Port
e USB connector provides the same functionality as the DB-9 connector
described above. It is compatible with the USB ports on PCs and may
obviate the need for a USB to RS-232 adaptor.
9 AC Mains Input
AnIECstandardpowercord(supplied)isusedwiththeCA-M300/CT-
M300. Plug the cord into the IEC receptacle on the rear panel, and the
other end into a suitable wall outlet.
10 AC Mains Fuse
Your Classé power amplier has an AC mains fuse, accessible on the
rear panel. If you suspect that your AC fuse has blown, disconnect your
amplier from the AC mains, as well as from its input connections and
speaker connections, and refer to the appropriate item of the section
enitled Troubleshooting.
17
Do not open your amplier. ere are no user-serviceable parts within
this product.
Danger! Potentially dangerous voltages and current capabilities
exist within your power amplifier, even when disconnected
from AC mains. Do not attempt to open any portion of the
amplifier’s cabinet. There are no user-serviceable parts
inside your power amplifier. All service of this product
must be referred to a qualified Classé dealer or distributor.
18
Installation
Your new Classé amplier is quite simple to set up and enjoy. Please follow the
steps outlined below in order to safely set up and use your new amplier.
Important:
The AC mains connection should be the last connection you
make on your new power amplifier. In addition, it is always
a good idea to power up your power amplifier(s) last, after
everything else has been powered up and has stabilized. .
Conversely, it is good practice to power the amplifier(s)
down first when shutting down the system, as this
prevents any transients from other components from
getting through to your loudspeakers.
1. Unpack everything according to the included instructions.
Be careful when doing so, as this amplier is quite heavy.
2.
Place your amplifier (be sure to read “Unpacking and Placement”)
and connect it to the AC mains. is includes deciding on the location,
making sure you have adequate ventilation, and adequate clearance for all the
wires behind the amplier. Once accomplished, connect the amplier directly to
the AC mains. Do not use extension cords, as most are not suitable for the current
sometimes required by your amplier.
CT-M300 rack-mount
installation
FORRACKMOUNTINGINSTALLATIONCONTACTYOURCLASSÉ
PROFESSIONAL.
CT-M300 stand-alone
installation instructions
NON-RACK-MOUNT INSTALLATION FOR CT-M300:
1a. Install (4) feet and secure with (4) #6 at washers and
(4)6-32X9/16philipspanheadscrews.
Tighten to
5.0 in-lbs (0.56 N-m)
19
Optional accessory feet can be purchased and installed as follows.
1b. Install (4) accessory feet (FC90902) and secure with
(8)6-32X3/4screws.
Tighten to
8.5 in-lbs (0.96 N-m)
Important!
Install (2) securing brackets when using the CT-M300 in a
stand-alone (non-rack-mount) installation.
2.Installleftandrightfaceplatesecuringbrackets(L7326forCT-SSPand
CT-AMPS,andL7909forCT-5300)securewith(4)8-32X3/8philips
pan head screws.
Tighten to
5.0 in-lbs (0.56 N-m)
20
3. Configure your amplifier turn-on delay/amp no.
In a system that contains multiple Classé ampliers, you may set the
number of seconds of turn-on delay for each amplier, allowing each
to turn on in the order you have specied, rather than all at once. is
number also acts as an ID when using the CAN-Bus. (Having several powerful
ampliers all turning on at the same time can sometimes stress the AC mains in
your home, potentially leading to nuisance tripping of circuit breakers).
e amplier sequence number (turn-on delay) may be programmed by
your Classé dealer using a PC utility.
4. Make your preamp/processor connections.
With the amplier in standby (or disconnected from the AC mains), using
high quality interconnecting cables, make the appropriate connections
with the balanced or single-ended connectors.
Make sure all the connections are snug, even if it means gently squeezing
the outer shell of the RCA with pliers and reinserting it to tighten the
connection.
5. Make your speaker connections.
Make the connection between the output terminals of the amplier and
your loudspeakers, using high quality speaker wires.
Connect the black (–) terminals on the amplier to the black (–) terminals
on your speaker, and the red (+) terminals on the amplier to the red (+)
terminals on your speaker. If bi-wiring, run a total of four conductors
between each amplier channel and its corresponding loudspeaker: two
separate +/– leads, one for the bass and the other for the mids and treble.
Make sure that no wires cross between the red (+) and black (–) terminals,
at either end.
Make sure all the connections are snug and cannot be easily wiggled free,
but do not overtighten them. If you can give the speaker wires a reasonable
tug without movement, they are snug. Further tightening will not make a
better connection, and (taken to the extreme) may damage the connectors.
6. Double-check all your connections.
We understand that this step sounds redundant, but it is worth the extra
minute or two it might take just to ensure that all connections are correct
and secure before plugging the power cables to the AC outlets.
7. Turn on all the other components in your system, and then
turn on your amplifier.
It is always good practice to turn any power amplier on last, and to turn
it o rst. Doing so prevents any turn-on/turn-o transients that might
originate in other components from damaging your loudspeakers.
21
8. Install the front panel (CT-M300 only).
Once all connections have been made and the amplier is veried to be
working correctly, remove the front panel from its packing and rmly press
it into place.
NOTE: If the CT-M300 is NOT installed in an equipment rack, the
front panel should be secured to the chassis using the supplied security
tabs. ese will prevent the faceplate from unexpectedly popping o if
someone should try to lift the amplier by its front panel.
CAN-Bus ClassésControllerAreaNetwork,orCAN-Bus,opensthewaytoanewlevel
of interaction between our Delta range of ampliers, preamps, processors
and source components.
WhentheamplierisconnectedwithCAN-Bus,the
dierent
elementsofaDeltaorCTseriessystemareinconstantcommunication,
creating a “global” network that delivers system wide status information and
shared operational features, all through the touchscreen display.
features CAN-BuswillallowaDeltaorCTseriestouchscreento:
• Displaystatusinformationforeveryconnectedunit,including
ampliers which do not have a touchscreen display.
• Createa“PlayLink”thatallowsanSSPorPreamptoautomatically
switch to the correct input when a Delta series source component
starts playback.
• Adjusttheglobalsystembrightness.
• Conguretheentiresystemtogoinandoutofstandbyatthe
touch of a button and also bring individual components in and
out of standby.
• Muteanyconnectedunit.
hardware setup 1 Classé Delta or CT Series Products
TwoormoreClasséDeltaorCTseriesproductsarerequired,atleastoneof
which must have a touchscreen display.
2 Category 5 Network Cables
ese are ordinary network cables, commonly used for broadband Internet
connections. ey should be typical “straight through” cables not the “crossed
over” type, and the total required will be one less than the total number of
Deltaand/orCTseriescomponentsinyoursystem.
3 CAN-Bus Terminator
AsingleCAN-BusTerminatormayberequired.Itisinsertedintothe
CAN-BusOUTconnectorofthelastcomponentintheCAN-Busdaisy
chain. One is
includedintheboxwithyourCTamplier.T
hey are also
available free of charge from your nearest Classé Customer Support Centre
http://www.Classeaudio.com/support/service.htm
4 SSP-300 & 600 CAN-Bus Interface Box
Systems that include an SSP-600 or SSP-300 will also require an
SSP-300/600CAN-BusInterfaceBox.eseareincludedwiththeproductsor
available free of charge
from your nearest Classé Customer Support Centre
http://www.Classeaudio.com/support/service.htm
22
ediagramsbelowillustratehowtoconnecttheCAN-Bushardware.
Any combination of models in any order.
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
For any system with SSP-300 or SSP-600.
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
OUT
CAN-BUS
IN
NOTE:DaisychainmayneedtobeterminatedwithCAN-BusTerminator.
23
using CAN-Bus CAN-BusiscontrolledviathetouchscreenofanyDeltaorCTseries
component.ereisnomastercomponent,soDelta/CTseriessystemswhere
two or more units have a touchscreen can be controlled through any of the
touchscreens.However,itisprobablyeasiesttostartusingCAN-Busthrough
just one.
CAN-Busisaccessedbypressingthemenu button on the face of the unit or
remote, then the status button, followed by the more button.
e touchscreen will then display the CAN-Bus devices screen, which lists
connected Delta series components by model & serial number.
Highlighting aunitontheCAN-Busdevicesscreenidentiesitasthetarget
unit. e front panel LEDs of the target unit will start ashing (unless you
highlighttheunitthatyouareusingtoaccessCAN-Bus).
Once you have chosen the target unit press select.etargetunit’sLEDswill
stopashingandthetouchscreenwilllisttheCAN-Busfeaturesavailabletoit.
SomeCAN-Busfeaturesaresharedbyallmodels,somearespecictoindividual
models.
24
CAN-Bus shared features efollowingCAN-Busfeaturesaresharedbyallmodels.
configuration Selecting conguration will present the CAN-Bus conguration screen
allowing access to name, global brightness, and global standby features.
operate e operate settings allow you to bring the target unit in and out of standby, or
mute. is key will be disabled for the unit whose touchscreen you are using to
accessCAN-Bus.
AC status e AC status screendisplaysinformationfromthetargetunitselectricalsupply
sensors.Twoscreensareavailable,withthesecondaccessedbyselectingmore.
status e status screen is the simplest way to access essential information about
thetargetunit.Itdisplaysthetargetunit’smodelnumber,softwareversion,
operational status and serial number.
name Allows you to set the name that this component will be listed under in the
CAN-Busdevicesscreen.enamewillappearnexttotheunitmodelandserial
number, and facilitate the identication of units in large systems.
global brightness By setting all your components to global brightness you can adjust the
touchscreen and LED brightness for your entire system by changing the
brightnessofasingletouchscreen.AllCAN-Bussoftwareupdatesautomatically
settheupdatedunittoGlobalBrightness.Ifyouwantaparticularunittobe
excludedfromGlobalBrightness,deselectGlobalBrightnessforthatunit.
global standby By setting all your components to global standby you can bring your entire
system in and out of standby by pressing the standby button of any unit or
remote.AllCAN-Bussoftwareupdatesautomaticallysettheupdatedunitto
global standby. If you want a particular unit to be excluded from global standby,
deselect global standby for that unit.
25
CAN-Bus model-
specific features
efollowingCAN-Busfeaturesaremodelspecic.
PlayLink is feature is exclusive to Delta series disc players and will only function if
thediscplayerisconnectedtoaCAN-Busenabledpreamporsurroundsound
processor.
When PlayLink is active, pressing play on the disc player will also automatically
switch the preamp/processor to a specied input. is means that you can listen
to a CD or watch a DVD literally at the touch of a button.
e rst step in using PlayLink is to choose the input you wish to be selected
when play is pressed on the disc player. Press the PlayLink icon, then select the
correct input from the list.
Once you have selected the input press back, then select conguration.
PlayLinkisactivatedanddisabledthroughthePlayLinkiconontheCAN-Bus
conguration screen.
PlayLink is automatically active after a software update, and the PlayLink icon
willonlyappearontheCAN-BuscongurationscreenofaDeltaseriesdisc
player.
PlayLink can only select a single input per disc player. It is therefore
not designed for users who regularly play both CDs and DVDs
through dierent inputs from a single disc player. When PlayLink is
active the disc player will default to the same input every time play is
pressed, regardless of whether it is playing CD or DVD.
26
amp info Available for ampliers only, this screen displays the data provided by the
heatsink and AC Module temperature sensors.
NOTE:isfeatureisonlyaccessiblewhenthetargetamplierison.
event log Reserved for ampliers, this feature is a protection circuitry event log which can
only be accessed when the target amplier is in standby. e protection circuit
shuts down the amplier or channel if it overheats or if its output could damage
your speakers. e event log details the circumstances surrounding the amp
going into protection and should be referred to in situations that require the
intervention of your dealer or Classé customer support.
e log can report the following events interpreted as follows:
• +ve slow blo trip & -ve slow blo trip — e average current has
reached the safe operating limit.
• +ve fast blo trip & -ve fast blo trip — e peak current has
reached the safe operating limit.
• over temperature trip — e unit temperature has reached the
safe operating limit.
• DC protection trip
e DC output level has reached the safe
operating limit.
• Communication failure — ere has been a loss of
communicationbetweentheampssystemmonitoringsensors.
• AC line trip — e power supply has reached the limits of the
ampssafeoperatingrange.
• Air intake lter — e intake lter is constricting airow and
should be cleaned. is “event” is also triggered after every
2,000 hours of operation, even if the sensors do not yet detect
constricted airow. e unit will continue to operate with its
standby LED ashing until the lter is checked and the unit reset
by pressing and holding the standby button for 3 seconds.
Events are rare and generally occur due to issues that are external to the amp.
eyshouldbeinterpretedpositively.eampisdoingwhatit’sdesignedtodo.
27
Care and Maintenance
Toremovedustfromthecabinetofyouramplier,useafeatherdusteroralint-
freesoftcloth.Toremovedirtandngerprints,werecommendisopropylalcohol
and a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth with alcohol rst and then lightly clean the
surface of the amplier with the cloth. Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol
that might drip o the cloth and into the amplier.
Caution! At no time should liquid cleaners be applied directly to
the amplifier, as direct application of liquids may result
in damage to electronic components within the unit.
From time to time, the air intake lter will need to be vacuum cleaned or
removed and rinsed with clean fresh water. A pressure sensor measures the
airow to determine when it is necessary to clean the lter. When cleaning is
required, the Standby LED will ash red/blue and a message will be sent to
connectedtouchscreencontrolleddevicesviatheconnectedCAN-Bussystem.
Since this is a maintenance and not a protection feature, the amplier will
continue to operate while the LED is ashing, so as not to interrupt a listening
session. Once the amplier enters standby mode it will require reset to operate
normally (press and hold the standby button). Use this opportunity to check
andcleantheairintakelter.Removethefrontpanel(CTseriesamps)ortheair
intake cover (Delta series amps) to access the lter.
28
Troubleshooting
In general, you should refer any service problems to your Classé dealer. Before
contacting your dealer, however, check to see if the problem is listed here.
1. No sound, and Standby LED is not lit.
• eamplierisnotpluggedintotheACmains,ortheACmains
are down (circuit breaker, fuse).
• Abrown-outorshort-termlossofpowermightrequirethe
internal microprocessor to be reset. Unplug the unit for at least
30 seconds and then plug it in again and try powering it up.
• eACmainsfuseisblown.SeeTroubleshooting #4, below (or
contact your Classé dealer).
• eACmainsisoutofrange.Checkthevoltagespeciedon
the rear panel.
2. No sound, and Standby LED is blinking red.
• Yourprotectioncircuitryhasbeenengaged.emostlikelycause
is the “check lter” interval. e amplier is programmed to ash
its standby LED after every 2,000 hours in the operate mode as
a reminder to check and clean the air intake lter. e amplier
continues to play after the 2,000 hour threshold is crossed, but
once entering the standby mode the amp will require a reset. See
Care and Maintenance.
• Press and hold the standby button to reset the amplier.
• If the amplier does not reset or continues to go into protection
mode, disconnect the amplier from the AC mains, and
disconnect all inputs and outputs.
• Ifitpowersupwithoutanydiculty,poweritbackdownand
reconnect only the inputs. en restart the amplier. If it goes
into its blinking protection mode, something is wrong with a
component “upstream” of the amplier—probably a DC oset
or similar problem. Your amplier is trying to protect your
loudspeakers (even small amounts of DC can increase distortion
anddamagespeakersinrelativelylittletime).Trydierent
source components to discover whether the problem is limited
to a single source, or exists all the time (which would indicate a
problem with the preamplier/processor). Contact your dealer
for help with the appropriate component.
3. The amplifier keeps shutting off.
• Makesureyouareprovidingadequateventilationtothe
amplier, and that the ambient room temperature is below 105°F
(40°C).
• Runthroughthetroubleshootingsequenceoutlinedabove
(assuming the amplier is going into its protection mode).
• eamplierlogsallprotectioncircuitevents.eseareviewable
onthetouchscreenofaCAN-BusconnectedClassécomponent
or by your dealer on a PC using a special diagnostic program.
Contact your dealer to assess the likely cause of the trouble.
29
4. The AC mains fuse is blown.
ere is a specic troubleshooting procedure for a blown AC mains fuse,
since this rare occurrence sometimes indicates a signicant problem. Please
use the following steps, in order:
a. Disconnect your amplier 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.
b. If the fuse appears to be blown, replace it only with a fuse of
the same type and rating (specied below). Using any other type
of fuse, particularly a larger-value fuse, can result in permanent
damage to your amplier. If you are not comfortable replacing the
fuse yourself, contact your Classé dealer for assistance.
Mains voltage: 100/120VAC
Fuse type:
IEC time lag, high breaking capacity
Rating: 6.3A 250V
Mains voltage: 220/230/240VAC
Fuse type:
IEC time lag, enhanced breaking capacity
Rating: 3.15A 250V
c. After replacing the fuse and fuse cover, reconnect the amplier to
the AC mains only and turn it on without reconnecting either the
inputs or the speaker wires. If the fuse blows again, disconnect it
from the AC mains and contact your Classé dealer for assistance.
d. If everything seems ne, place the amplier back into standby
and carefully reconnect the input cable and power the amplier
up. If the fuse then blows (or the amplier goes into protection),
you may have a serious fault with your preamplier/processor.
Contact your Classé dealer.
e. Finally, if everything is still ne, place the amplier in standby
and carefully reconnect the speaker wires. Check both ends of
the speaker wires for possible short circuits. en power up the
amplier again. If the amplier remains functional (the fuse
does not blow), then the original fuse probably blew in order to
protect the amplier from a large AC mains surge. If it blows
again, contact your Classé dealer for assistance.
5. The Standby LED is flashing quickly.
• TryresettingtheunitbydisconnectingitfromtheACmains
power, waiting a few seconds, and reconnecting the amplier to
power. If this does not solve the problem, contact your Classé
dealer for assistance.
30
Specifications
Alltestsun-weightedand500kHzmeasurementbandwidth(exceptSNR).
n Frequency response 1Hz – 80kHz, -3dB
n Output power 300W rms into 8W (24.8 dBW)
600W rms into 4W (27.8 dBW)
n Harmonic Distortion <0.002% @ 1kHz balanced
<0.004% @ 1 kHz single ended
n Peak Output Voltage 150V peak to peak, 53V rms no load
136V peak to peak, 48V rms into 8W
n Input Impedance 50kW balanced / single ended
n Voltage gain 29 dB balanced / single ended
n Input level at clipping 1.88V rms balanced / single ended
n Intermodulation Distortion >90dB below fundamental into
8W balanced / single ended
>90dB below fundamental into
4W balanced / single ended
n Signal-to-noise ratio -116dB at peak output into 8W
Measurement Bandwidth: 22kHz
n Output Impedance 0.015W @ 1kHz
n Standby power consumption <1W @ 230V
n Rated power consumption 420W @ 1/8th power into 8W
n Overall Dimensions CA-M300 Width: 17.50” (444mm)
CT-M300Width(including faceplate): 19” (483mm)
 CT-M300Width(excluding faceplate): 17” (432mm)
CA-M300 Depth (excluding connectors): 17.52” (445mm)
CT-M300Depth(excluding connectors): 18.625” (473mm)
CA-M300 Height: 8.78” (223mm)
CT-M300Height:6.97”(177mm)
n Gross weight CA-M300: 87lbs (39.46 kg)
CT-M300:96lbs(43.50kg)
n Net weight CA-M300: 75 lbs (34.0 kg)
CT-M300:76lbs(34.5kg)
n Mains voltage Specied on rear panel
For more information, see your Classé dealer, or contact:
Classé Audio
5070 François Cusson
Lachine, Quebec
CanadaH8T1B3
Telephone +1(514)636-6384
FAX +1(514)636-1428
Internet: http://www.classeaudio.com
email: cservice@classeaudio.com
Classé and the Classé logo are trademarks of Classé Audio Inc. of Lachine, Canada. All rights reserved.
AMX®isaregisteredtrademarkofAMXCorporationofRichardson,TX.Allrightsreserved.
Crestron™isatrademarkofCrestronElectronics,Inc.ofRockleigh,NJ.Allrightsreserved.
Control4™isatrademarkofControl4CorporationofSaltlakeCityUT.Allrightsreserved.
31
Dimensions
CA-M300 "05.71 mm444
"00.8 mm302
"87.8 mm322
"12.01 mm952
"02.01 mm952
"25.71 mm544
"38.81 mm874
"49.51 mm504
"00.61 mm604
"67.01 mm372
32
CT-M300 19.00"
483mm
6.97"
177 m m
19.89"
505mm
17.00"
432mm
17.41"
442mm
Copyright © 2009 Classé Audio, Inc. Printed in Canada.
V 1.4 092210
Classé Audio
5070 François Cusson
Lachine, Quebec
CanadaH8T1B3
+1 (514) 636-6384
+1 (514) 636-1428 (fax)
http://www.classeaudio.com
email: cservice@classeaudio.com
NorthAmerica:18003703740
email: classe@bwgroupusa.com
Europe: 44 (0) 1903 221 700
email: classe@bwgroup.com
Asia: (852) 2790 8903
email: classe@bwgroup.hk
All Others: +1 514 636 6394
email: cservice@classeaudio.com

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