Classe Audio CP-500 owner manual Special Design Features

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, 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 Classé 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. 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 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 these products receive from owners and reviewers alike.

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