Classe Audio 10 User manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO
10
POWER AMPLIFIER
10
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 (excluding moving
coil and moving magnet phono circuits). This means all amplifiers and all high level circuits of
the preamps are the same. The same circuit is 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 upgrading this circuit and
its application, thus reaching a very high level of understanding and musical achievement 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.
10

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

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UNPACKING & SET-UP
Your CLASSÉ 10 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. 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:
1) Detachable linecord
2) Allen key for top plate
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer as soon as possible.
Place the 10 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 10 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 10 has only one fuse, the rating of which should be as follows:
LINE VOLTAGE FUSE RATING
100 or 120 V.A.C. 6 AMP FAST BLOW 125 or 250 volts
220 or 240 V.A.C. 4 AMP FAST 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 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 10 WARRANTY SECTION OF THIS OWNER'S
MANUAL.
STEREO
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. Remove the top of the
amplifier and make sure toggle lever on the main PCB circuit board is pointed closest to the stereo
position. Replace top. (Units preset at factory for STEREO.)

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MONO
Firstly, please read through the previous Stereo section for general notes on securing good
connections, and safety tips. If the unit has been previously used in stereo, make sure it is OFF, and
remove all connections, including AC line cable. Remove amplifier top and make sure the
STEREO/MONO toggle lever located on the main PCB circuit board is pointed closest to the
MONO position. Replace top.
The MONO "Input" is the "left channel input", as marked. The unused right channel input is
automatically disconnected. The "Output connections" are marked "MONO" BESIDE the
connectors. (Do not connect to stereo connectors.)
Repeat the above MONO settings and connections on the second 10 to be used for the other
channel.
Please remember that the negative output connection of a bridged amplifier is NOT a
ground. Do not use a "common ground" or switchbox set-up. Do not use with electronic crossovers
which have a common ground.

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CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS:
The CLASSÉ 10 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. Regardless of the amplifier inputs used, stereo or mono operation is
still possible on the 10.
REGULAR INPUTS
Remove the amplifier top and make sure the REGULAR/BALANCED toggle lever on the main
PCB circuit board is pointed to the position marked "REGULAR". 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 10. The balanced connectors are automatically disabled.
BALANCED INPUTS
Remove the amplifier top and make sure the REGULAR/BALANCED toggle lever on the main
PCB circuit board is pointed closest to the position marked "BALANCED". 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 10
which are wired as follows:
PIN 1: GROUND
PIN 2: POSITIVE (NON-INVERTED) SIGNAL
PIN 3: NEGATIVE (INVERTED) SIGNAL
If the pin configuration of 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 10. (To remove the
connectors, press the tab above the connector.)

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MONO OPERATION
As stated before, regular or balanced inputs can be used in stereo or mono. Connect a single
interconnect, either regular or balanced, to the left channel input of each amplifier. See the "Mono"
section above for complete details.

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CLASSÉ 10 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.