CLASSÉ AUDIO P-100 User manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO
P-100
POWER AMPLIFIER
P-100
OWNER'S MANUAL

CLASSÉ DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
1. REPEATED LISTENING DESIGN SESSIONS:
Fine tuning of sound by exchanging and mixing of parts (transistors, capacitors, wiring, PCB
boards etc.), and adjusting many specific operating voltages within proper engineering ranges,
producing an overall sonic recipe giving the most natural harmonic realism of music typical of
instruments in a live performance.
2. UPGRADABLE SINGLE CIRCUIT DESIGNS:
All Classé products (all preamps and all amps) share exactly the same circuit design philosophy
(excluding moving coil and moving magnet phono circuits). This means all amplifiers and all
high level circuits of the preamps benefit from the same design goals. Similar circuits are then
tailored to different power levels etc. Differences between less expensive models and more
expensive models are parts quality and compliment, power supply extravagance and the amount
of filtering etc., as well as features and packaging.
This means that for years Classé has been constantly fine tuning and technically upgrading this
circuit design and its application, thus reaching a very high level of understanding and musical
enjoyment, as well as excellent reliability which benefits all models - least expensive, most
expensive, preamps and amplifiers alike.
3. EXTREME LONG LIFE IN REAL WORLD CONDITIONS:
Choosing the best attainable quality parts and materials combined with the advantages of the two
above-mentioned areas provides Classé owners with years of proven trouble free reliability and
musical enjoyment.

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P-100
OWNER'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNPACKING & SET-UP................................................................. 4
GENERAL CONNECTIONS........................................................... 5
PROTECTION CIRCUIT.................................................................. 6
CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS..... 7
WARRANTY...................................................................................... 9
FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS ........................................... 11
WARRANTY REGISTRATION...................................................... 12

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UNPACKING & SET-UP
Your CLASSÉ P-100 power amplifier is packed in high density, 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. Remove the plastic wrap and inspect
the unit for any concealed damage. Apart from this owner's manual, please ensure the following has
also been included:
1) Detachable linecord.
2) Allen key for the top cover.
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer as soon as possible.
Place the P-100 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 recommend the optional CLASSÉ
REFERENCE A.C. LINECORD. Consult your dealer regarding this accessory.
The power transformer in the P-100 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 P-100 has only one fuse, the rating of which should be as follows:
LINE VOLTAGE FUSE RATING
100 or 120 V.A.C. 5 AMP SLOW BLOW 125 or 250 volts
220 or 240 V.A.C. 3 AMP SLOW BLOW 250 volts

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GENERAL CONNECTIONS
A.C. LINE
Making sure the power switch is in the off position, insert the linecord into the A.C.
receptacle on the rear of the unit.
CAUTION: SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DISCONNECT THE 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. SEE ALSO THE P-100 WARRANTY SECTION OF THIS OWNER'S MANUAL.
Input and output connectors are clearly marked on the back of the amplifier. Left/Right
connections are oriented from the front of the unit. Stereo output connections are marked above the
connectors.
Use only high quality interconnect and loudspeaker cables, and make all connections tight. If
the input plugs are loose, remove them and pinch down the ground leaves slightly with pliers.
Observe correct phasing of the loudspeaker connections, and tighten.

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PROTECTION CIRCUIT
The Classé P-100 power amplifier is designed with an Output-Short Protection Circuit which
engages and is indicated by a flashing RED LED when the output terminals are accidentally shorted.
The unit will stay inactive until the following steps must be performed to resume operation of the
unit.
- Turn the unit OFF.
- Detect and remove the short. (check the connections at both ends of the speaker's
cables)
- Turn the unit back ON.

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CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS:
The CLASSÉ P-100 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 preamplifier which has balanced main outputs, and balanced interconnects with "XLR"
connectors are also required.
REGULAR INPUTS
Remove the amplifier top and make sure the REGULAR/BALANCED jumpers of both channels
on the main PCB circuit board are installed to the positions marked "REGULAR". (See Fig 1 and Fig 2)
Replace top. (The amplifier is factory set for regular use.) Connect the regular interconnects to the
RCA input jacks on the rear panels of the P-100. The balanced connectors are automatically disabled.
BALANCED INPUTS
Remove the amplifier top and make sure the REGULAR/BALANCED jumpers of both channels
on the main PCB circuit board are installed to the positions marked "BALANCED". (See Fig 1 and Fig
3) Replace top. A balanced preamplifier and balanced interconnects are also required. For use with
balanced preamplifiers other than Classé, the wiring of the 3-pin XLR connectors must be matched to
that of the CLASSÉ P-100 which is wired as follows:
PIN 1: GROUND
PIN 2: POSITIVE (NON-INVERTED) SIGNAL
PIN 3: NEGATIVE (INVERTED) SIGNAL
If the pin configuration on the preamplifier differs from above, the balanced interconnects must be
modified to accommodate the different preamp.
Having confirmed the correct connections, plug the XLR connectors of the balanced
interconnects into the locking XLR connectors on the rear panel of the P-100. (To remove the
connectors, press the tab above the connector.)

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CLASSÉ P-100 LIMITED FACTORY WARRANTY (North America only).
Classé Audio Inc. warrants this amplifier to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of FOUR YEARS from the date of manufacture provided that any claim
in virtue of this warranty be made in writing within such period.
Subject to all of the conditions stated herein, A LIMITED FACTORY LIFETIME WARRANTY
IS EXTENDED ONLY TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHO PURCHASED THE AMPLIFIER IN NORTH
AMERICA AND WHO CLAIMS UNDER THIS WARRANTY IN NORTH AMERICA.
IMPORTANT: WARRANTY REGISTRATION, AND A COPY OF THE "AUTHORIZED DEALER
BILL OF SALE", MUST BE RECEIVED AT THE CLASSÉ FACTORY (address below) WITHIN TWENTY
(20) DAYS OF PURCHASE, TO VALIDATE THIS WARRANTY.
In the event of failure of this amplifier, resulting from defects in materials and
workmanship, Classé Audio Inc. will repair, recalibrate, or at its discretion, replace the unit
providing that all the conditions contained in this warranty are met.
In order to initiate service of any kind, it is necessary to OBTAIN PRIOR FACTORY
AUTHORIZATION, AND SHIP THE UNIT PREPAID TO THE CLASSÉ FACTORY. For units coming
from outside Canada, contact the factory for our forwarding address. Units shipped directly to
our Canadian address from outside the country will be stopped at the border, causing extensive
delays or return of the unit to the sender.
The warranty shall be void and of no effect in the event of any of the following:
1) Operation not in accordance with this manual;
2) Accident, abuse, tampering, or unauthorized
modification, as determined by Classé Audio Inc.;
3) Removal, defacing, or falsifying the serial number plate;
4) Shipping without the complete factory packaging;
5) Transfer or sale of this amplifier by the original owner;
6) Non-compliance with any of the other conditions hereof.

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CLASSÉ AUDIO INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THE SET-UP, OPERATION,
FAILURE, TROUBLESHOOTING, OR REPAIR OF THE AMPLIFIER AND/OR ANY OTHER
EQUIPMENT USED THEREWITH.
THIS WARRANTY, ALL CLAIMS MADE IN VIRTUE HEREOF, AND ALL ISSUES RELATING TO
ANY SUCH CLAIM SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE PROVINCE OF QUÉBEC.

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CLASSÉ P-100
STEREO BALANCED POWER AMPLIFIER
FEATURES
AND
SPECIFICATIONS SHEET
P-100 FEATURES:
100 watts stereo, high current design, sleek curved slimline chassis with dual heat sinks at
rear, both regular and fully balanced operation switchable, and a contoured faceplate
featuring a Soft Shadow Silver finish mounted with golden screws.
P-100 SPECIFICATIONS:
Frequency Response:
Sensitivity:
Input Impedance:
S/N Ratio:
Rated output: 8 Ohms:
4 Ohms:
Dimensions: Gross:
Net:
Weight: Gross:
Net:
20 Hz to 20 KHz +/- 0.1dB
900 mV in for rated output
70 KOhms
More than 100 dB
100 Watts Stereo
150 Watts Stereo
22" x 19 1/2" x 10 1/2"
19" x 11 3/4" x 4 7/8"
35 lbs
30 lbs

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WARRANTY REGISTRATION
You must fill out and return the form below, along with a copy of the authorized dealer
bill of sale, to the factory within twenty (20) days of purchase. This will allow us to provide
expedient service, information regarding updates and new products, and validate the Classé
warranty.
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P-100 SERIAL NUMBER_____________________PURCHASE
DATE_____________________ AUTHORIZED
DEALER________________________________________________________
PURCHASER'S NAME_________________________________________________________
STREET ADDRESS____________________________________________________________
CITY________________________________STATE/PROV.____________________________
COUNTRY________________________ZIP/POSTAL CODE__________________________
I BECAME AWARE OF THIS PRODUCT BY:_____________________________________
(DEALER, MAGAZINE, FRIEND, ETC.)
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SEND TO: CLASSÉ AUDIO INC.
Product Registration
5070 François Cusson
Lachine, Quebec, Canada
H8T 1B3