Classe Audio CA-3200 owner manual Special Design Features

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highly refined circuit design

extensive listening tests

Special Design Features

All Classé 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 Classé products (as they are all based on similar analog gain stages), and for the consistently excellent reviews those products receive by owners and reviewers alike.

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 insufficient to guarantee subjectively musical results.

For this reason, all Classé products are laboriously fine-tuned during the development process by carefully controlled listening 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% film resistors 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 Classé.

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Contents English Risk of Electric Shock Do not Open Important Safety Instructions Contents Welcome to the Classé family Word about installationUnpacking your amplifier Placement Ventilation Unpacking and PlacementOperating voltage Custom installations Serial numberWarm up/break-in period Please read this manual… Special Design Features Extraordinary longevity Robust protection Standby button & LED indicator Front PanelOff + Channel LED on Channel status LED indicators Mode buttonSelect button Balanced XLR Input Rear PanelSpeaker Outputs Single-Ended RCA InputIR Input and Output Classé can Bus Control PortsDC Trigger Input and Output RS-232 Control Port This DB-9 connector has two purposesAC Mains Input AC Mains FuseMains. Do not attempt to open any portion of the amplifier’s Configure your amplifier Initial SetupMake your speaker connections Make your preamp connectionsDouble-check all your connections Care and MaintenanceNo sound, and no Channel LED is lit TroubleshootingNo sound, and one or more Channel LEDs is blinking red Amplifier keeps shutting offAC mains fuse is blown Specifications NE Jamais Exposer CET Appareil À LA Pluie OU L’HUMIDITÉ Importantes instructions concernant la sécurité Sommaire Bienvenue dans la famille Classé Installation Ventilation Déballage et installationEnregistrez votre achat Tension d’alimentation Numéro de sérieFrançais Caractéristiques particulières de la conception Fiabilité extraordinaire Protection totale Touche de mise en veille Standby et diode LED indicatrice Face avantTouche Mode Touche de sélection SelectDiodes indicatrices LED des canaux Entrée symétrique XLR Face arrièreSorties enceintes acoustiques Speakers Entrée asymétrique RCAEntrée et sortie IR infrarouge Prises de commande Classé can BusEntrée et sortie commutation Trigger Prise d’alimentation secteur AC MainsFusible d’alimentation secteur AC Mains Fuse Français Configurez votre amplificateur Réglage initialConfiguration de l’allumage de l’amplificateur Vérifiez deux fois toutes les connexions Entretien & MaintenanceDysfonctionnements Pas de son, et les diodes LED des canaux ne s’allument pas’amplificateur reste éteint Le fusible d’alimentation secteur a fondu Spécifications Dimensions Page V1.9 110405

CA-3200 specifications

The Classe Audio CA-3200 is a high-performance power amplifier designed for audio enthusiasts seeking exceptional sound quality and robust power. It exemplifies Classe's commitment to precision engineering and sophisticated technology, making it a standout component in any high-fidelity audio system.

The CA-3200 boasts a powerful output of 200 Watts per channel into 8 ohms, and it doubles that to 400 Watts into 4 ohms, ensuring ample power to drive a wide range of loudspeakers with authority and detail. This amplifier employs a Class AB design, which combines the best attributes of Class A and Class B amplification. The result is a warm, rich sound that maintains clarity and dynamics, even at high volume levels.

One of the unique features of the CA-3200 is its high-quality, low-noise power supply. This power supply includes an oversized transformer and large storage capacitors, providing the necessary reserves for transient peaks. This design minimizes noise and ensures that the amplifier delivers clean power without distortion, whether during soft passages or explosive musical moments.

Classe has implemented a custom-designed output stage that utilizes fully complementary circuitry. This innovation helps to eliminate crossover distortion, resulting in an accurate reproduction of the audio signal. Additionally, the CA-3200 features advanced thermal management technology, including extensive heat-sinking and forced-air cooling. This ensures that the amplifier remains cool and reliable during extended use, even in demanding environments.

The architectural design of the CA-3200 matches its performance capabilities. The chassis is constructed from high-quality materials, providing both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. The front panel features visually expressive meters that allow users to monitor power levels easily, while the rear panel provides balanced and unbalanced input options, increasing flexibility in setups.

Furthermore, the CA-3200 is designed for easy integration into existing systems, offering a variety of control options, including trigger inputs and RS-232 connectivity for automation and remote control purposes.

In summary, the Classe Audio CA-3200 is an exemplary power amplifier that combines significant power output, advanced technologies, and meticulous craftsmanship. Its ability to deliver pristine audio performance while offering versatility makes it a compelling choice for both audiophiles and casual listeners alike, ensuring that it meets the demands of modern audio systems with ease.