Classe Audio CP-500 Stereo Amplifier User Manual
Contents
1. e 0 0 The max volume screen allows you to establish a maximum volume setting for your system This scale runs from 0 to 100 with 100 indicating that you do not want any artificial limit placed on the maximum gain your preamplifier can provide This setting is interactive You can set the value to something less than 100 and then adjust the volume to see whether it is appropriate 27 28 teach IR display setup L back teach IR koma ing send IR code E display enter Cv The CP 500 provides discrete infrared IR command codes for all its functions a list that extends far beyond what is required by normal remote controls However many of these functions are critical if you plan to create a customized remote control with macros that take command of your entire system Without these discrete codes many of the macros you might want to create will simply not work reliably The teach IR screen provides a scrolling list of all the available IR codes in the CP 500 By scrolling to the command you need to learn into your macro capable remote and then pressing the send IR code button the CP 500 will send the appropriate command code out its front panel where it can be learned by your third party remote control For more information on such control systems we recommend you speak with your authorized Class dealer pam brightness feas s 2 high medium neck2. Owner s Manual LASSE See Preamplifier 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 NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL NOTICE All of us at Class take extreme care to ensure that your purchase will remain a prized investment We are proud to inform you that all Class components have been officially approved for the European Community CE mark This means that your Class product was subjected to the most rigorous manufacturing and safety tests in the world The CE mark certifies that your purchase meets or exceeds all European Community requirements for unit to unit consistency and consumer safety This 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 These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment gener ates 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
3. appropriate input You may have as many as three ine inputs meaning single ended connections using RCA connectors and two bal inputs balanced connections using XLR connectors If you do not have this many sources in your system you can elect to deactivate the unused inputs Doing so removes their associated buttons from the touchscreen reducing confusion for occasional users of the system In addition the CP 500 has a dedicated tape loop for use with sources that can both record and play back bringing the total number of sources you can connect to the CP 500 to six four single ended and two balanced When you touch the tape button to highlight it you will notice that the previously selected input remains highlighted Whenever any input is selected for listening it is also selected for possible recording a copy of its signal is sent to the recording device connected to the tape output You may record it or not as you please When you select the tape button you are asking the CP 500 to continue with this recording feed whether or not it is being used while switching to monitor the output of the tape deck or CD recorder or whatever else you might have connected to the record loop In this way you can monitor the result of your recording while you are making it in real time This assumes that your recording device supports this capability as do three head tape decks 21 22 main menu system system setup back
4. better visibility under low light conditions After a few moments of inactivity the backlight switches off automatically Info takes you directly to the status screen in the LCD menu system displaying several items of information about the CP 500 and its current operational status Display cycles through the three brightness settings of the screen display Standby toggles the CP 500 between standby and operate ee O 2 Input Selection and Volume The Up and Down arrow keys on the left side of the remote control will E cycle through the active inputs on your CP 500 CLASSE Ifyou have inputs you are not using we suggest deactivating them in order to provide faster easier access to the inputs you are actually using See the section The Menu System for information on how to do this The Up and Down arrow keys on the right side of the remote control will raise and lower volume the square key between them will activate the Mute function of the CP 500 as defined in the menu system see The Menu System for more on your mute options The Tape key allows you to easily toggle between listening to the selected source and listening to the output of your recording device If you have a recording device such as a three head tape deck which can play back a recording while it is being made you will be able to compare the original signal to the recording while you are making it 20 Note Navigation Keys The c
5. it remains simple to operate in day to day use In fact in some ways it is even simpler to operate than a more conventional design might be For example if you are not using one or more of the inputs on your CP 500 you can delete the unnecessary buttons from the operational menu Doing so prevents anyone from trying to select a non existent source component with the resulting confusion stemming from the lack of any sound Of course you can easily restore the button if you subsequently add another source component and need that input The volume control on your new Class preamplifier is controlled by sophisticated software that allows you to fine tune its response to suit your preferences Ideally a volume control would allow you to reach the volume you desire quickly and would also provide extremely fine control once you are close to the perfect volume Of course these characteristics are in conflict with each other one requires the volume to change by quite a lot for a given amount of turning of the knob while the other requires small incremental changes for the same turn of the knob The volume control system on your CP 500 solves this problem by responding differently based on the specific circumstances e g how quickly you are turning the knob and where in the volume range you are After extensive testing we feel we have created factory default settings that most people will find intuitive and a real pleasure to use
6. precisely what version of software your unit is running Having this information available will help enable them to give you the best possible service The sensors button on the status screen takes you to the sensors screen which displays information about several internal sensors within the CP 500 It is unlikely you might ever need the sensor information unless directed to do so by a customer service representative at Class in order to help troubleshoot some unexpected problem 31 32 A Important Troubleshooting In general you should refer any service problems to your Class dealer Before contacting your dealer check to see if the problem is listed here If it is try the suggested solutions If none of these solves the problem contact your Class dealer 1 Everything appears to be on but there is no sound Adjust the volume control to a moderate level one that should be audible but is not excessive Make sure the source component for which the input has been selected is switched on and is out of its standby mode Make sure the proper input has been selected for the source being used Check that the preamplifier is not in mute mode This is indicated by the operational menu icon in the form of a speaker with a bar through it Press Mute to disengage Ensure that the power amplifier is powered up and out of standby mode Check if the tape monitor is enabled If it is engaged and the recorder is off
7. any halogen lighting or dimmers on the same circuit as the preamplifier as they can be the cause of hum in power supply transformers There is a noticeable change in volume between one input and another even though the volume was not adjusted You may need to adjust the input offset setting to compensate for differences in output level between source components Conversely the input offset setting may have been adjusted inappropriately Either way you can correct the problem by going to the following location in the menu system Menu gt system setup gt input gt input name offset where input name is the input which needs to be adjusted If the input that seems incorrect is the phono input make sure you are using the proper gain setting for the type of cartridge you are using If in doubt consult with your authorized Class dealer cleaning the cabinet Caution A cleaning the LCD touchscreen Important installing the remote control batteries Care and Maintenance To remove dust from the cabinet of your preamplifier use a feather duster or a soft lint free cloth To remove dirt and fingerprints we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth Dampen the cloth with alcohol first and then lightly clean the surface of the preamplifier with the cloth Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol that might drip off the cloth and into the preamplifier At no time should liquid cleaners be applied directly to
8. can be determined by turning the equipment on and off 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 different from that to which the receiver is connected Consult the dealer or an experienced radio TV technician for help CAUTION Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user s authority to operate the equipment This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U S patents and other intellectual property rights Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses other wise authorized by Macrovision Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited The information contained in the manual is subject to change without notice The most current version of this manual will be posted on our web site at http www classeaudio com Marking by the CE symbol shown left indicates compliance of this device with the EMC C q Electromagnetic Compatibility and LVD Low Voltage Directive standards of the European Community Class products are designed to comply with international directives on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances RoHS in electrical and elect
9. components Doing so can eliminate the sometimes annoying and abrupt changes in volume encountered when switching between different source components phono gain triggers max volume l back phono gain home Ss M The phono gain menu is only active if the optional phono module is installed otherwise it is grayed out When it is installed the CP 500 will automatically recognize it rename the line 1 input to phono and activate the input on the main menu Setting the phono gain is simple enough choose ow gain for most moving magnet cartridges and for high output moving coil cartridges choose high gain for low output moving coil cartridges Your Class dealer can assist you in determining what type of cartridge you have and which setting is most appropriate Each of the CP 5005 trigger outputs may be programmed as to its logic level which is to say whether its voltage is ow essentially OV or high approximately 12V when the trigger is activated The ability to change the logic level of a triggers on state can solve installation specific problems that otherwise require external devices that add to both the cost and complexity of your system If this seems an obscure point that s okay It is a feature designed to solve problems you may not even have but your installation professional appreciates being able to easily solve such problems when they occur 8 y P y back max volume home S
10. display setup home back timeout a high e brightness gt u ET e 2 never E timeout gt len p language gt 10 sec 3hours 30 sec L back language home 1 lt ED fran ais deutsch italiano v This button brings up the display setup menu It allows you to configure the CP 500 s LCD screen brightness the display timeout and the language used in the touchscreen and menu system brightness timeout language main balance The brightness setting of the CP 500 has three possible values low medium and high Select the appropriate setting based on the level of ambient light typically found in your listening room while using the system A high brightness setting usually works best in brightly lit rooms you may find that a lower setting is less visually intrusive under more subdued lighting conditions If you prefer listening to music in a dimly lit or darkened room you may find even the Jow brightness setting of the display somewhat distracting If so you can vary the timeout of the backlighting so as to turn it off entirely after a period of inactivity you select In this context activity refers to any use of the user interface This includes hard buttons the LCD touchscreen and the remote control For example if you reduce the timeout to its minimum setting the backlighting will illuminate the display as soon as you interact with any of the CP 50
11. inerat naa EEE CHR EEEE E 21 tape lOO m E aa 21 main MENU SYSTE despresio devs irte tere fa coe n EESTE EEE E 22 iiio E 22 VOTIV cm UT 23 fassent OUT 25 eere ids Avdvesunteaashues 27 TSB ORS assiste q oa deir c ig 27 max Ten c M 27 cce M Hm 28 display set p u ectetuer E RH Re Eb ety 28 Driehitlless aec on d vetet teu dE dd pa 29 IMC OUL EE 29 EUDULL M 29 main Dalarnce sicui Ee UR RO OP EE 29 anii e 30 Cautionary note OM PREY Use cete iternm ted dene reet 30 Gt LU rcm 31 Meine 31 cep T 31 deeper pm 32 Care and Maintenance 2 2 eet epe ete ye tte YR Le PER UEM E E ave stedes 35 CLEANING ANE Cablletus iecit ett trt vei tere qe ta brise ca o 35 cleaning thel CD touchscreen aie ta tet n e pee densa sees 35 installing theremote control batteries sssssseeee 35 Specifica ONS seua ves sees TEE 36 DIMENSIONS RR ED PR RR MR RR RR 37 a word about installation Welcome to the Class family Congratulations on your purchase of a Class product It is the result of many years of continuous refinement 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 produ
12. not running alongside any AC power cords If you are running single ended interconnects make sure they are not too long Long runs of single ended interconnects have a natural tendency to pick up noise even if they are shielded If any source components connected to your preamplifier has a cable TV hooked up to it try disconnecting the cable television line from the source If the hum goes away you will need an isolation device between your cable and that particular source Refer to your Class dealer for one of these inexpensive devices If you have the optional phono module in your preamplifier make sure that the ground wire of the tonearm is secured properly to the ground lug on the back of your preamp If the hum exists only on the phono input make sure the turntable tonearm assembly is not too close to other components There should be at least 12 inches 30cm clearance from the other components The more clearance you provide the better as long as the tonearm cable is not stretching Make sure the tonearm cable is not touching or running alongside an AC cable Make sure you have the proper loading for your phono cartridge If you are in doubt consult your authorized Class dealer There is a mechanical hum coming from the unit This symptom suggests you have a lot of electrical noise on your AC mains line Try connecting to another AC circuit not merely a different plug but a different circuit Check to see if you have
13. not using balanced analog interconnection then connect these single ended outputs to your preamplifier processor using high quality shielded RCA terminated cables Your Class dealer can advise you on the selection of cables suitable for your system 16 Balanced XLR main outputs These XLR outputs provide a high quality balanced stereo analog signal to your power amplifier Connect them to corresponding balanced inputs on your power amplifier using shielded high quality balanced interconnects Your Class dealer can provide assistance in selecting appropriate balanced cables for your system 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 Class 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 interferenc
14. system setup back teach IR ER send IR code ELI display enter Cy L back display setup tome o brightness gt Hh 775773 us timeout english language gt Ee med back remote Fkeys f ep ILI LL me a teachiR gt remote Fkeys gt function key F1 function key F2 5 e J i display setup status function key F3 function key F4 5 EJ hack status se source Phono connector line 1 balance o input offset O dB versioninto 5 sensors d Pressing the front panel Menu button to the left of the LCD touchscreen brings up a comprehensive main menu system the top two levels of which are shown above This menu provides access to many installation specific features that let you customize how the CP 500 works within the context of your particular system back rotary setup t home low range low speed 5 E medium speed highspeed c speed limit reset defaults 5 e back input setup home back system setup CDP 100 NS J trigger setup EL trigger out 1 trigger out 2 logic level logic level low OVDC J low OVDC back phono gain home lt le low gain high gain max volume i back max volume home E E Q 0 0 decrease 100 increase The first button on the control menu takes you to a serie
15. the other with a quick twist of the knob requiring coarse gradations in order to cover so much range in so little space What happens when Persons A and B live in the same house Or if Person C wants to have both depending on their mood at the moment In fact most of us are probably like Person C Class solves this dilemma by altering the response of the volume control based on several factors Since it is rare to listen at extremely low barely audible volumes the low range adjustment of the volume control allows for faster response to knob input when the volume setting values are low When activated you will get from extremely low to middle volume control settings a bit faster than you would otherwise This effect can be subtle and may not even be desirable when the speakers used have extremely high sensitivity since this results in using the lowest part of the range more than you would otherwise The most significant factor in the perceived responsiveness of the volume control is the speed at which the knob is being turned We all naturally tend to move volume knobs more quickly when we need to make a bigger change and we tend to slow down as we approach our desired volume Thus if the CP 500 sees the knob moving relatively quickly it uses coarse steps to effectively accelerate the action of the circuitry As the knob begins to turn more slowly the CP 500 will actually increase the resolution of the steps which slows down
16. the same effect as if you had pressed the button on the LCD touchscreen Fkey Controls The CP 500 remote control can also control user defined functions as well The F1 F2 F3 F4 keys are available for controlling aspects of the CP 500 not covered by the other buttons on the remote control You are able to choose what the CP 500 should do in response to receiving the infrared signal that a particular Fkey has been pressed The list of possible functions is quite extensive and is found in the menu system see the next section in this manual entitled The Menu System The Fkeys on all Class remote controls issue the same infrared commands This saves you from having to be sure you have picked up the proper remote since all your Class remotes will perform the same function for each Fkey operational menu input selection tape loop The Menu System Your CP 500 includes a versatile LCD touchscreen which supports both an attractive information display and a flexible menu system While its use is quite intuitive it is also quite extensive This section of the owner s manual outlines the many capabilities found in the menu system The operational menu provides easy access to the most basic functions of the preamplifier input selection and tape monitor It also provides both a numeric and a graphic depiction of the current volume setting Pressing any of the input buttons on the touchscreen will switch to the
17. 0 controls and stay on for only three seconds just long enough for you to check on something If you continue to use any of the controls at least once every three seconds the display will remain lit It will then extinguish itself after three seconds of inactivity on your part If you prefer the display of the CP 500 to remain on whenever not in standby choose the never timeout setting The lamp in the LCD display was designed for harsh automotive environments and will give you many years of reliable operation If you plan to leave the unit on continuously however we recommend that you keep the timeout delay set to less than one minute Note that setting the brightness to a lower setting does not increase the life of the lamp The language menu offers you any of the different languages supported by the CP 500 GUI Class has provided our international distributors with a software tool that makes it possible for them to customize the translations to suit their local customs and terminology in an effort to ensure that the CP 500 s operation is as intuitive to use in every country as it is in our home country of Canada back main balance The main balance control gives you both a numeric and a graphical indication of the current balance setting for the CP 500 Some recordings are not balanced particularly well between the left and right channels If the image presented by a particular recording seems heavily weighted t
18. However if you feel you would like to fine tune its performance further in order to suit your particular preference you may easily do so All Class analog amplification stages are based on circuits that have been extensively optimized over many years of continuous development By starting with excellent circuit designs and working with them over the years we are able to discover the many small refinements that add up to superlative performance in a variety of applications Altering a voltage here or using a slightly different part there may make all the difference between solid and absolutely outstanding performance This level of refinement only comes with a great deal of experience and is not available to those who flit from one trendy notion to the next It accounts in no small measure for both the consistency of sonic performance among Class products as they are all based on similar analog gain stages and for the consistently excellent reviews these products receive from owners and reviewers alike 10 extensive listening tests extraordinary longevity Excellent measured performance is to be expected in world class products and Class products deliver that performance However experience has shown that technical excellence alone is insufficient to guarantee subjectively musical results For this reason all Class products are laboriously fine tuned during the development process by carefully controlled listenin
19. ation The serial number for your preamplifier 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 register your purchase A operating voltage Warning Having found the serial number now would be a good time to fill out the registration card Please register your purchase so we can advise you of updates and other items of interest It will take only a minute or so Please complete the card now before you forget The CP 500 preamplifier is set at the factory for 100V 120V 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 The voltage setting may not be changed by the user Make sure that the label on the rear panel of your preamplifier indicates the correct AC operating voltage for your location Attempting to operate your preamplifier at an incorrect voltage may damage the unit 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 Class service center If the AC mains voltage indicated on your preamplifier is incorrect please contact your local authorized Class dealer or distributor The CP 500 can easily be powered by a normal 15 ampere AC mains line If other devices are also powere
20. ct 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 Class component Sending in your warranty card also registers your product with us so that warranty service can be obtained easily and quickly even if you have mislaid your original sales slip Please take a few minutes to fill out the warranty registration card and drop it in the mail You will find the warranty registration card at the end of the separate warranty policy booklet enclosed Every effort has been made to make the Class CP 500 simple and straightforward to install and use Still we have no way to evaluate many other variables such as the size and shape of your room its acoustics and the associated equipment you have chosen to use with your preamplifier All of these factors influence 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 unpacking your preamplifier l Important placement ventilation custom installations serial number Unpacking and Placement Carefully unpack your preamplifier according to the supplied instructions and remove all accessories from the carton Keep all packing materials for future transport o
21. d bracket or table specified by the manufacturer or sold with sa the apparatus When a cart is used use caution when moving the cart apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip over Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time Refer all servicing to qualified 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 Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids such as vases are placed on the apparatus To completely disconnect this apparatus from the AC Mains disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable Do not expose batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine fire or the like to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the product s enclosure that may be of The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance servic
22. d from the same AC line their additional power consumption should be taken into account The CP 500 includes protection circuitry that will prevent the preamplifier 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 preamplifier 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 preamplifier will enter protection mode and shut down The Standby LED will flash to indicate the protection mode has been engaged Under voltage during operation if the AC mains voltage sags by 15 or more the preamplifier will continue to play since this does not present a particular danger to the unit but note that it may not be able to achieve its usual standard of performance under these compromised conditions The Standby LED will flash to indicate the condition warm up break in period please read this manual Your new Class power preamplifier 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 first 300 hours as the preampli
23. e around than ever before it makes sense to keep it out of music and movie soundtracks For this reason we strongly recommend using balanced analog interconnects between your Class components wherever possible especially if you plan to use long interconnect cables between your preamplifier and the power amplifier s in order to minimize the length of the speaker wires The pin assignments of these XLR output 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 Class preamplifier with a Class power amplifier youre all set just take standard balanced interconnect cables and plug them in If you are using another brand of power amplifier please refer to the operating manual of your amplifier to verify that the pin assignments of its input connectors correspond to those of the CP 500 If not have your dealer wire the cables so that the appropriate output pin connects to the equivalent input pin 10 RS 232 Control Port This DB 9 connector has two purposes downloading new operating software into your preamplifier should new features ever be added for example external control of your preamplifier by control systems such as i Command AMX and Crestron For more information please contac
24. ee to experiment you can always return to the original settings input Each input on your preamplifier can be customized in several ways to enhance either the performance or the ease of use of the system A quick look at the input menu and submenus gives you an overview of what is possible back input setup Mem lt J line 2 lt f back input name Rome back input offset home OE lt s P AE o 4 Y 07779 decrease o increase line 2 GOB home pes input balance l x a in use determines whether the selected input is displayed on the main input selection screen and whether it is included in the rotation of inputs cycled through from the remote control s input selection buttons name provides a way to customize the names of the inputs as displayed on the main input selection screen For example you might want to name your Bal 1 input CDP 100 for the Class CD player you might have connected to that input To do so use the four buttons along the bottom of the input name menu to change the default name of any given input to something more specific to your system 25 26 A Warning The button acts like the backspace key on a computer keyboard moving the cursor to the left and eliminating any characters along the way The D button moves the cursor to the right adding characters along the way Change each character to what yo
25. entral section of the remote control contains the navigation keys This array of buttons is similar to what you may have seen on remote controls for DVD players and is used for navigation of the menu system of the CP 500 Home returns you to the normal input selection controls normally shown on the LCD screen on the front panel of the CP 500 This provides a quick way to get back to normal operation regardless of how deep you might be in the menu system Menu serves two functions it calls up the menu system when you need it in order to adjust something to your preference once within the menu system pressing Menu returns you to the previous level of the menu system If you press Menu when at the top level of the menu system it will take you back out of the menu system to the normal display The Bal balance key takes you directly to the balance screen in the menu system once there you can use the navigation keys on the remote to select either the left or right buttons on the LCD touchscreen depending on which way you wish to move the balance Adjust the relative left right balance of the system by using the Enter key on the remote to press the appropriate button on the display Up Down Left Right keys allow you to move within a particular menu screen changing the highlighted item up down left right as you like from the comfort of your listening position The Enter key allows you to select the highlighted item having
26. evel sources to verify that the pin assignments of their output connectors correspond to the CP 500 If not wire the cables so that the appropriate output pin connects to the equivalent input pin To achieve the best possible results we suggest that you use only high quality interconnect cables Please consult with your local Class dealer for advice on the best cables for use in your system Tape output Connect these RCA jacks to the right channel and left channel recording inputs of your recorder These single ended RCA outputs are unaffected by the volume control on the front panel or by whether you choose to monitor the source or the recorder by having the tape button on the front panels touchscreen deselected or selected respectively The record outputs will be disconnected when the preamplifier is placed into standby however Single ended RCA main outputs Single ended cables using RCA connectors are the most common form of analog connection used in consumer electronics When implemented carefully and used with high quality interconnect cables this standard can provide excellent performance Class has gone to extraordinary effort to ensure that the single ended RCA outputs of your preamplifier 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 outputs whenever possible If you are
27. f your Class product Shipping your new component in anything other than its purpose designed packing material may result in damage that is not covered by the warranty As with any preamplifier it is best to place the CP 500 centrally within your system since it is the hub to which all other components are connected It should also be located at a convenient height for both visibility and use since you generally interact with your preamplifier more than any other component changing inputs adjusting volume etc Note that adequate clearance for the AC cord and connecting cables must be left behind the CP 500 We suggest leaving eight inches 20 cm of free space behind your preamplifier to allow all cables sufficient room to bend without crimping or undue strain Class recommends that the unit not be placed directly on the top surface of a power amplifier or any other heat source Your Class preamplifier generates a certain amount of heat in the course of normal operation Be sure to allow three inches of clearance above it and three inches to each side to allow heat dissipation through air circulation Avoid placement on soft surfaces that would restrict airflow such as plush carpeting Drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installations and custom cabinetry see the section Dimensions An optional purpose designed rack mount kit is available for this product Contact your Class dealer for more inform
28. fier reaches thermal equilibrium and the capacitors fully form After this initial break in period the performance of your new product should remain quite consistent for years to come The only exception to this rule is if the unit is 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 before the preamplifier s sound quality is at its best Unless your preamplifier 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 take a few minutes to review this manual and to familiarize yourself with your new preamplifier 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 benefits you deserve from having purchased such a fine piece of equipment flexible graphical user interface customizable volume control highly refined circuit design Special Design Features The LCD touchscreen on the front panel of your new component supports an extremely flexible and versatile graphical user interface GUI while maintaining a clean uncluttered appearance The CP 500 provides a range of controls that might otherwise require dozens of buttons and knobs on the front panel Despite this power and flexibility
29. form Note that all Class remote controls provide these same four Fkeys so that you need not worry about which remote you happen to pick up Thus F1 on the preamplifiers remote control sends the same infrared signal as F1 on the CD player s remote control While this is intended to minimize confusion amongst different remotes since this aspect of them will all perform identically you should take care when assigning different functions on different components to the same Fkey Doing so would result in two components doing two different things at once in response to a single press of a button on the remote control This can sometimes be useful As an example F1 could set the preamplifier to the CD input and also set the CD player to Play both from the press of a single Fkey status version info sensors back Status source line 1 connector line 1 balance O input O main O total input offset OB o version info The status screen provides several items of information about the current operation status of the CP 500 as well as access to information on the software used in and the internal sensors of the CP 500 The version info button on the status screen takes you to the version information screen which displays information on various pieces of software used by your CP 500 If you ever have occasion to call our technical support people to ask a question not covered in this manual they may want to know
30. g tests Our ears are still some of the finest laboratory test instruments available and nicely complement more traditional engineering test equipment In the course of optimizing the circuitry for a product hundreds of decisions are made based on the subjective impression given by substituting one high quality part for another As an example we may listen to half a dozen 0 1 tolerance film resistor components of the same value from several different companies Standard tests may show them all to provide identical results in terms of noise distortion and so forth Yet almost invariably one selection yields some small improvement in the subjective reaction to the performance of the product under development Less often even a single such change can result in a surprisingly large improvement Multiply those various improvements by the dozens or even hundreds of such decisions that must be made before the product can be finalized for production and you have a remarkable improvement indeed all based on careful listening tests which we view as a necessary complement to the solid engineering you might rightly expect from Class Another benefit of having worked with highly refined circuit designs so extensively over many years is that we have 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 experimen
31. ing instructions in the literature accompanying the product WARNING To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock do not expose this apparatus to rain or moisture Contents Welcome to the Class tamil ovis nsec cert rente eere n teen deles 5 a word about installatiOB ou ette tk ette tle te erred dan amaram anda 5 Unpacking and Pl ceient aeree t reet teer EE 6 unpacking your preamplifier 5 iudi tentent tern i 6 placement nieis 6 MEUM UU 6 customvinstallations is rt parete sis toten E ennepuaeesedyes 6 ERI M 6 register your purchase scit rei iie oia E REIR re ERN espa sieves 7 operating Voltage nesretan E pete v LEE ee dali ap sad 7 warm up break im period repr tentent et a E baee tees 8 please read this mati al ccce ette ee ttt t oet on gees 8 Special Design Features ette teinte Seremos eate Ud eam re RR teas dde 9 flexible graphicaluser interface cte ette teet 9 customizable volume Cconttrol iunii tete te ete ite etaient 9 highly refined circuit design eret eerte tne 9 extensive listening tests cose testet incas ada fera eL et e lato fassa 10 extraordinary longevity rrt ret rec rete evite teda 10 rodar E 11 Mrigri lE 14 Optional phorno pr amp ces eor ttp eee te tei n eerie tangas 14 The Remote ConthO s d aerei ett reet ater e tie Habt eh ot Pe eee 19 The Memu SYStEM s 21 operational MeNe eaoin a E E E A 21 INPUt SCLECHON
32. k please consult your Class dealer for assistance Never attempt to replace an internal fuse There are no user serviceable parts inside your unit Only one speaker seems to be playing Check the main balance control setting of the CP 500 by pressing the Menu button followed by the balance button or simply press Bal on the remote control Does the problem occur with all inputs If so check the interconnect cables between the preamp and the power amp If no fault is found there check the speaker wires for secure connections Be certain that the power amplifier is off before checking any connections between the preamplifier and power amplifier or between the speakers and the power amplifier Ifthe problem occurs only with a particular input check the input balance control setting of that particular input Menu gt system setup gt input gt input name balance Sy p P where input name is the particular input in question Ifthe input balance appears to be correct check the interconnect cables between the corresponding source component and the CP 500 The IR remote control seems not to function Ensure that there are no obstacles between the IR remote and the IR sensor located to the right of the Mute button Ifthe batteries are weak replace them with fresh ones 33 34 5 6 7 There is a hum coming out of the speakers If you are running single ended interconnects make sure they are
33. kQ 10092 100dB better than 100dB better than 120dB O 1kHz 30W 29W determined by the needs of country for which the unit was manufactured cannot be reset by dealer or user Width 17 5 445mm Depth 16 5 419mm Height 4 75 121mm 26lbs 12kg 33lbs 15kg For more information see your Class dealer or contact Class Audio 5070 Francois Cusson Lachine Quebec Canada H8T 1B3 Telephone 1 514 636 6384 FAX 1 514 636 1428 http www classeaudio com email cservice classeaudio com Class and the Class logo are trademarks of Class Audio Inc of Lachine Canada All rights reserved i Command is a trademark of Equity International Inc 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 Dimensions CLASSE 4 00 Oo 102mm 475 121mm 2 42 61mm 17 49 444mm 2 20 56mm 17 50 445mm 37 CLASSE Class Audio 5070 Francois Cusson Lachine Quebec Canada H8T 1B3 1 514 636 6384 1 514 636 1428 fax http www classeaudio com email cservice classeaudio com Copyright 2006 Class Audio Inc Printed in Canada v2 5 080906
34. nge as slowly as possible at low knob speeds a setting of 100 will cause the volume to change as quickly as allowed at low knob speeds The menu is the same as the one above except for the indication that it is for the low speed adjustment medium speed determines the responsiveness of the control when the knob is being turned at a moderate speed A setting of 0 will cause the volume to change as slowly as possible at medium speeds a setting of 100 will cause the volume to change as quickly as allowed at medium knob speeds The menu is the same as the one above except for the indication that it is for the medium speed adjustment high speed determines the responsiveness of the control when the knob is being turned rapidly A setting of 0 will cause the volume to change as slowly as possible at high knob speeds a setting of 100 will cause the volume to change as quickly as allowed at high knob speeds The menu is the same as the one above except for the indication that it is for the high speed adjustment speed limit establishes a maximum rotary speed beyond which there will be no change in volume whatsoever the knob s input will be ignored completely until it is first stopped and then rotated at a slower speed reset defaults if after experimenting with various settings you decide you prefer it the way it operated as it came from the factory pressing this button will restore the factory default settings So feel fr
35. o the left for example you can restore a more natural perspective with the balance control To shift the image to the right touch the right gt gt button one or more times as needed to correct the perceived imbalance 29 30 remote Fkeys cautionary note on Fkey use ed remote Fkeys ru assign a remote F1 k E function key F3 4 E S E trigger 1 on function key F1 V iz q i j function key F2 function key F4 trigger 1 off E trigger 1 toggle Ea The remote control supplied with the CP 500 has four function keys Fkeys that allow you to have instant easy access to specific system functions that might otherwise be buried in a menu somewhere For example if you use the balance control frequently you may want to consider programming one of the Fkeys to take you straight to that screen Doing so will save you having to access the control menu followed by pressing the balance button which might be hard to see from across the room The remote Fkey menu has four buttons one each for the four Fkeys on your remote control Pressing any of these buttons on the LCD touchscreen takes you to a subordinate scrolling list of possible functions for that particular Fkey Selecting the one you want is as simple as scrolling through the list by touching either the up or down arrows on the right and then touching the specific function in the list that you want that Fkey to per
36. om your Class dealer Once installed in your preamplifier the Line 1 input connectors become your phono inputs and the phono gain control in the menu system becomes active allowing you to select either ow gain for all moving magnet MM and high output moving coil MC cartridges or high gain for standard output MC cartridges See the section The Menu System for more information 3 Ground terminal The ground terminal on your integrated amplifier is most often used for the ground wire of a turntable assuming you have the optional phono module installed see your authorized Class dealer for more information on this option if you are interested Connecting the ground wire from your turntable s tonearm to this screw terminal usually minimizes any hum or buzzing to which the turntable might otherwise be susceptible Your authorized Class dealer can assist you in handling this problem if it should arise Balanced XLR inputs These XLR jacks accept right channel and left channel balanced signals from source equipment with balanced outputs Either of these inputs may be selected by touching the corresponding button on the main operational screen of the LCD touchscreen The pin assignments of the XLR type female input connectors are c m Pin i Signal ground Pin 2 Signal non inverting ep Pin 3 Signal inverting O Connector ground lug chassis ground Refer to the operating manuals of your balanced output line l
37. r your home can put a tremendous surge on the AC mains that can damage any piece of electronic equipment no matter how well designed and protected The best protection in the case of severe electrical storms is simply to remove the electronics from any connection with the power grid 12 Menu button Pressing the front panel Menu button will call up the main menu system replacing the normal operational menu and status display in the LCD touchscreen LCD touchscreen Much of your interaction with the CP 500 will be via the LCD touchscreen and the CP 500 s supplied remote control It will usually display the various input selection buttons you would use in day to day operation along with access to the tape button By pressing the Menu button you can also call up the menu system of the CP 500 which gives you control over many of the operational details of the preamplifier including system setup options various display options including the anguage in which the menu system itself displays and several custom installation capabilities that allow superior integration of the CP 500 into complex systems For more information see the section The Menu System later in this manual Mute button The front panel Mute button reduces the volume of the preamplifier to zero at the touch of a button Pressing the button a second time restores the volume to its previous setting However if you increase the volume manually using either
38. ronic equipment and the disposal of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment WEEE The crossed wheelie bin symbol indicates compliance and that the ENEH products must be appropriately recycled or processed in accordance with these directives Please record the serial number for your new Class component here for future reference Serial 13 14 15 16 17 18 Important Safety Instructions Read these instructions Keep these instructions Heed all warnings Follow all instructions Do not use this apparatus near water Clean only with dry cloth Do not block any ventilation openings Install in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators heat registers stoves or other apparatus including amplifiers that produce heat 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 The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the apparatus Only use attachments accessories specified by the manufacturer Use only with the cart stand tripo
39. s of submenus that collectively provide a great deal of control over your system setup Here you can customize the behavior of your volume control tailor your inputs to your particular source components adjust the gain of the optional phono module program the behavior of the CP 500 s DC triggers establish a maximum volume setting for your system rotary The rotary knob on the front panel does not directly control the volume Instead it controls circuitry that does so with greater fidelity and precision than traditional volume potentiometers could ever achieve Since the volume control circuitry is under software control it is possible to customize its behavior under various conditions To better understand why this is so valuable consider two scenarios Person A places a high value on precision in achieving exactly the volume setting that makes the music most realistic being able to easily change volume setting by a fraction of a decibel is critical to his enjoyment of the system Person B just wants to jump easily from low volumes to a reasonable listening level and is less concerned with the finer points of precision than with getting what he wants with a quick twist of the knob You can see the problem in these scenarios Person A wants extremely fine gradations on the volume control which will require many rotations to go from extremely low setting to normal listening levels Person B wants to get from one to
40. solid electrical connection Since an IR distribution system such as your dealer may design for you usually must control many products your preamplifier 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 This allows you to daisy chain your control wires from one product to the next The preamplifier is designed to respond to IR commands of 5 Volts DC with the tip of the mini plug defined to be positive relative to the shank of the plug 5Vdc less than 100 mA 18 A Danger 11 12 13 DC Trigger Input and Output Many audio video components can supply a DC control voltage to associated equipment in order to induce desired behavior Your Class preamplifier can take advantage of these capabilities in order to be switched between operate and standby automatically usually in concert with the A V preamp itself The 1 8th inch mini mono jack Trigger In provides for remote controlled turn on that is toggling between operate and standby of the preamplifier Two 1 8th inch mini mono jacks provide individually controllable DC trigger outputs which can be used for any of a number of purposes as described in The Menu System For example your dealer can program Trigger Outl to toggle your Class power amplifier between operate and standby with your CP 500 The remote trigger input will respond to the presence of 5 12VDC wi
41. t your dealer and ask about home automation systems Class CAN Bus Control Ports These RJ 45 connectors are reserved for future control and communication applications using Class Audio s implementation of the Controller Area Network CAN Bus specification IR Input and Output Your Class preamplifier includes two 1 8th inch mini mono jacks in order to support the infrared IR remote controls that are ubiquitous today Infrared commands exist for example for toggling the preamplifier between operate and standby in addition to discrete command codes for either operate or standby These codes may be used in macros for sophisticated remote control systems facilitating the control of the preamplifier in the larger context of a complete system The list of commands available is quite extensive enabling even complex macros chains of commands strung together to operate flawlessly If this capability is of interest to you we strongly recommend discussing it with your authorized Class dealer Note that R Input and Output is a bit of a misnomer the input and output of these plugs is electrical in nature not infrared They are used with standard IR receivers distribution amplifiers and emitters available from your dealer to translate the remote s IR signal to an electrical signal and vice versa The big advantages here include being able to easily route the signals anywhere they might need to go and the reliability of a
42. th tip polarity as shown below c 5 12 volts amp AL less than 100 mA Similarly the trigger outputs will create a 12VDC signal that can source up to 100mA of current AC Mains Power Switch The main power switch for the CP 500 is located near the middle of the rear panel just above receptacle for the power cord Switching the unit on puts it in standby mode The preamplifier should be in standby before being switched off Potentially dangerous voltages and current capabilities exist within your preamplifier even when disconnected from AC mains Do not attempt to open any portion of the preamplifier s cabinet There are no user serviceable parts inside your preamplifier All service of this product must be referred to a qualified authorized Class dealer or distributor AC Mains Input An IEC standard power cord supplied is used with the CP 500 Plug the cord into the IEC receptacle provided and the other end into a suitable wall outlet The Remote Control Your new preamplifier comes with a versatile remote control which can control both the CP 500 itself and several aspects of the rest of a Class based system The buttons are arranged in logical groups according to their functions STANDBY G9 C E O 1 Basic Functions This section along the top of the remote control groups four functions that control your basic interactions with the CP 500 Light switches the backlighting of the remote control on for
43. the surface of the preamplifier as direct application of liquids may result in damage to electronic components within the unit To clean the LCD touchscreen use a microfiber eyeglass wipe or soft lint free cloth together with a cleaning solution designed for plastic eyeglasses or LCD computer monitors televisions Spray the solution onto the cloth or tissue never directly onto the touch screen The battery compartment is situated at the base of the remote control Remove the two screws holding the base plate in place taking care not to lose them Insert the two AA batteries supplied ensuring that the polarity is the same as that indicated on the inner surface of the remote control 35 36 Specifications All specifications are accurate at the time of printing Class reserves the right to make improvements without notice E Frequency response E Distortion THD noise EH Maximum input voltage single ended EH Maximum input voltage balanced EH Maximum output voltage single ended EH Maximum output voltage balanced EH Gain range B Input Impedance EH Output Impedance main output E Signal to noise ratio ref 10Vrms input EH Channel separation E Crosstalk any input to any output EH Rated power consumption E Idle power consumption EH Mains voltage EH Overall dimensions EH Net weight B Shipping weight DC 200kHz 0 1dB 0 00396 5Vrms 10Vrms 10Vrms 20Vrms 100dB to 14dB 100
44. the action of the volume control and yields greater precision in choosing an appropriate setting 23 24 Of course it is possible to bump into the knob by accident which might result in its spinning very quickly indeed Rather than increasing the volume uncontrollably under these conditions the CP 500 actually slows everything down again as a safety measure against accidentally blowing your speakers In fact if you like you may establish a speed limit beyond which the knob will simply be ignored The factory default settings for these behaviors are generally found to be intuitive and a pleasure to use However if you prefer to alter these behaviors you may do so in the rotary menu shown below back rotary setup home low range J low speed o LZ medium speed high speed ual E speed limit reset defaults 1 iz All of the rotary setup settings are interactive You can set the value and then adjust the volume to see whether the effect is what you desired low range determines the degree to which the responsiveness of the volume control is boosted at low volume control settings in order to get through them more quickly A setting of 0 disengages the effect while a setting of 100 maximizes it back low range VS boost O o low speed determines the responsiveness of the control when the knob is being turned slowly A setting of 0 will cause the volume to cha
45. the volume knob or the remote control while the Mute button is engaged the mute control will disengage and the volume will be set to zero This approach is a safety measure to avoid situations in which the volume might be adjusted up while muted only to then have the system un muted to an unexpectedly high volume IR window The infrared IR receiver and transmitter are located behind this window Ordinarily your Class CP 500 must be able to see the remote control from this window in order to respond to remote control commands If your preamplifier will be located behind closed doors or for any other reason will not be able to see the remote control during normal operation you may use the rear panel IR input and output mini jacks and an IR repeater system to solve the problem For more information about using an infrared repeater system to route signals to and from the CP 500 refer to the section Rear Panel later in this manual or contact your local Class dealer In addition to receiving IR commands the CP 500 can also transmit IR commands so they may be learned by third party learning remote controls The CP 500 includes a comprehensive list of discrete IR commands to facilitate the creation of reliable macros Specifically there are discrete codes for all commands that normally operate as toggle functions e g separate operate and standby commands in addition to the normal command that toggles between the
46. ts and actual long term experience we are able to design and manufacture products which we are confident will stand the test of time We are confident that your new Class preamplifier will give you many years of trouble free reliability and musical enjoyment just as previous Class products have given their owners CLASSE Front Panel 1 Standby button amp LED indicator The front panel Standby button will toggle the preamplifier between operate its fully operational state and a standby mode that leaves the preamplifier off 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 The current state of the preamplifier is indicated by the LED indicator in the center of the standby button When the unit is powered and switched on the state of this LED indicates the following on standby flashing on power up initialization off operate on dim display timeout flashing after power up AC mains voltage out of range If you are planning not to use the preamplifier for an extended period of time e g vacation or other travel we suggest you disconnect it from the AC mains Please be certain that the preamplifier is turned off 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 nea
47. two states Volume Knob The large knob on the right side of the front panel of the CP 500 is used to control the volume of the system The volume is raised or lowered in precise 0 5dB increments throughout the range of the control most likely to be used while listening to music At extremely low volumes the step size is increased somewhat to make it easier to move quickly between extremely low and normal listening levels 14 optional phono preamp Rear Panel 1 Tape Input Connect the analog outputs of any recording device analog tape recorder digital tape recorder CD recorder etc you may have to these single ended RCA connectors You may select to hear the output of your recording device by touching the tape button on the main operational screen of the CP 500 2 Single ended RCA inputs These RCA jacks accept right channel and left channel single ended inputs from line level source equipment such as tuners CD players and tape decks Any of these inputs may be selected by touching the corresponding button on the main operational screen of the front panel touchscreen To achieve the best possible results we suggest that you use only high quality shielded interconnect cables Please consult with your local Class dealer for advice on the best cables for use in your system Ifyou have a turntable you would like to use with the system an optional phono preamplifier module is available fr
48. u want as you go along using the and buttons The and buttons change the current character through the available characters They include all upper and lower case letters of the alphabet the numbers 0 9 and a variety of punctuation When done your main display might look like this note the change in what would otherwise be the bal 1 input bal 2 so tape O Oas When an input is renamed SSP it becomes a unity gain input When such an input is selected the volume control of the CP 500 is disabled all outputs are driven at line level and the volume indication is removed from the main menu This is useful in situations where the CP 500 is being used to pass through a signal coming from a component with its own volume control e g Class SSP 300 surround sound processor or when one of its outputs is sent to a component with its own volume control SSP 300 Care should be taken to adjust the volume control of the other component before selecting the SSP input as the resulting volume level may be uncomfortably loud input balance adjusts an input specific balance adjustment to compensate for the possibility that a particular source might be slightly imbalanced This is especially common with turntables since even the finest handmade cartridges are subject to small channel imbalance problems input offset provides a way to compensate for differences in output level between various source
49. you will not hear the selected source Disengage by pressing Tape unless you wish to monitor the recording If the problem occurs only with a particular input check the interconnect cables between that source and the preamplifier If the problem occurs with all inputs check the cables between the preamplifier and the power amplifier If no fault is found there check the speaker wires for secure connections Check that the power amplifier is off before checking any connections between the preamplifier and power amplifier or between the power amplifier and the speakers 2 There is no sound and the Standby LED is not lit Ensure the preamplifier is plugged into the AC mains and switched on and that the AC mains are operating normally The unit will automatically attempt to protect itself from improper AC mains voltages by not powering up Make sure your power amplifier is off if the amplifier is already connected to the preamp before plugging your preamplifier into the AC mains and powering it up A A Important Important 4 e If your preamplifier was plugged in properly try the following put it in standby switch off the main power switch in the back and unplug the unit for at least thirty seconds before trying to power it up again Sometimes a brownout of short term loss of power might require a restart Make sure to power down your power amplifier BEFORE doing the restart If none of these solutions wor
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