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THANK YOU FROM EVERYONE AT
CLASSÉ
Thank you for purchasing the Classé CAV-500
power amplifier.
We take great pride in offering components that
combine exceptional sonic performance and
long-term reliability. To do that, we have invested
in extraordinary design and manufacturing
facilities. We trust that you will enjoy your
purchase for many years to come.
CLASSÉ DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
All of our components benefit from the same
rigorous design goal: All Classé products must
reproduce music with the harmonic and spatial
integrity typical of fine instruments heard in a
live, unamplified performance.
Single Circuit Design
To this end, we make extensive use of carefully
optimized versions of the same basic circuit
precisely matched to specific power
requirements. This means that all Classé line level
components and power amplifiers benefit from
years of refinement. However, our efforts do not
stop here.
Listening: The Critical Design Element
Once we determine general circuit values for a
particular application, we listen carefully while
exchanging and mixing different parts
(transistors, capacitors, wiring, PC boards, etc.)
and adjusting specific operating voltages within
proper engineering ranges.
Extended Real-World Lifespan
Every Classé component, even the most
affordable, benefits from our painstaking
approach to design parameters. The result is an
optimum balance between the often-conflicting
demands of exceptional performance and long-
term reliability. Our most expensive components
gain from even tighter tolerance parts and highly
segmented and exceptionally robust power
supplies with large reserve-current capabilities.
Our Pride in Manufacturing, Your Pride
in Ownership.
We build all of our components to the highest
possible standards. From multi-layer glass-epoxy
circuit boards, the full sized power-supplies, and
the massive faceplates, every Classé product is a
tribute to both the science and art of sound
reproduction. We hope that you derive as much
pleasure and satisfaction in using your Classé as
we did in producing it.
UNPACKING & SET-UP
Your CLASSÉ CAV-500 power amplifier is packed
in high den-sity, semi-rigid foam placed in a
special cardboard box. To remove the unit, open
and spread all the top flaps of the box and by
its sides, lift out the entire unit and put it on a
large flat surface. Take it out of the plastic bag
and inspect the unit for any concealed damage.
Apart from this owner's manual, please ensure
the following has also been included:
• Detachable A.C. linecord
• Nut driver for output connectors
Please report any damage or missing parts to
your dealer immediately.
Place the CAV-500 at or near its final set-up
position, allowing 8 inches at the rear for
tightening the speaker output connectors. For
optimum sonic performance, we have included
the CLASSÉ REFERENCE A.C. LINECORD.
The power transformer in the CAV-500 is
located at the front-center of the unit. Ideally,
a few feet should separate this area from
components which potentially could pick up
hum. These include preamplifiers, turntables,
and interconnect cables. In terms of providing
adequate airspace for cooling, a good rule of
thumb is to allow 6 inches above and 3 inches
on each side of the unit.
Check the Serial Number sticker on the back of
the unit for the correct operating voltage. The
CAV-500 has one external AC fuse, the rating of
which should be as follows:
LINE VOLTAGE FUSE RATING
100 or 120 V.A.C. 12 AMP SLOW BLOW
125 or 250 volts
220 or 240 V.A.C. 10 AMP SLOW BLOW
250 volt
GENERAL CONNECTIONS
A.C. Line
Insert the linecord into the A.C. receptacle on the
rear of the unit. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE
PREVIOUSLY HOOKED UP THE SPEAKERS AND
PREAMPLIFIER TO YOUR AMPLIFIER BEFORE
CONNECTING THE AC POWER CORD TO THE
AMPLIFIER.
CAUTION: Safety instructions
Disconnect AC line cable while making all
connections. “Floating the ground”, or defeating
the ground on a 3-prong linecord may create a
shock hazard. Connect all interconnect cables
between the electronics before connecting the
A.C. linecords to the wall outlets. This will reduce
the potential shock hazard.
Operation
Input and output connectors are clearly marked
on the back of the amplifier. Use only high
quality interconnect and loudspeaker cables, and
make all connections tight. If the RCA input
plugs are loose, remove them and pinch down
the ground leaves slightly with pliers. Observe
correct phasing of the loudspeaker connections,
and tighten. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN the output
connectors as this can result to damage your
unit.
IR Out and In:
The CAV-500 may also be turned on and off
using our SSP-75 Surround Sound Processor,
utilising the IR OUT and IN jacks. To turn on
your CAV-500 with the SSP-75, Disconnect you
CAV-500 from the AC line completely, open the
top cover and locate the 4 internal jumpers
inside the CAV-500 to the right side of the
regulator board (top board located at the back
of the unit). When facing the amplifier from the
front, remove the jumper located completely at
the back (the last in the row) and save this
jumper. Re-install the top cover. Install a mini jack
into IR IN at the back of the CAV-500 and plug
the other end of the mini jack into the 5VDC
mini jack at the back of your SSP-75. When the
Standby button of the SSP-75 is pressed, it will
now activate the turn on turn off circuitry of
your CAV-500. Several amplifiers may be turned
on automatically in sequence or all at once,
depending upon the configuration of the jumper
settings inside the unit (see CAV-500 top view
page 5) alongside the mosfet fuses. The table in
Fig 1 tells you which jumper should be inserted
or removed to obtain the correct sequence on
which you will want your amplifier to turn on.
Sequential Turn On
Your CAV-500 is factory set as being the 1st
amp (AMP 1) to be turned on in sequence. To
re-program your unit so that it would be the
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th amp to be turned on
in sequence you have to follow this procedure.
Push and hold the power button, when the LED
becomes solid green, depress the button and
then press again. The number of times you will
press again will determine when the amplifier
will turn on in the sequence.
EX: Push and hold power button until solid
green, when power LED is solid green, depress
button and then push 2 times. Then your
amplifier will be the 2nd one to turn on in
the sequence.
CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR
BALANCED INPUTS
The CLASSÉ CAV-500 power amplifier is
equipped with both regular and balanced inputs.
Either one may be used SEPARATELY, BUT NOT
SIMULTANEOUSLY. The balanced inputs must be
connected to a pre-amplifier which has balanced
main outputs. Balanced inter-connects with
“XLR” connectors are also required. BEFORE
MAKING CONNECTIONS OR CHANGING THE
INPUT TYPE, MAKE SURE TO POWER DOWN
YOUR CAV-500 AND ALSO DISCONNECT THE
UNIT FROM THE POWER AC POWER LINE.