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.
