Classe Audio CA-150 User manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO
CA-150
POWER AMPLIFIER
CA-150
OWNER'S MANUAL

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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 engneering 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.

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CA-150
OWNER'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNPACKING & SET-UP.................................................................... 4
GENERAL CONNECTIONS.............................................................. 5
CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS......... 7
WARRANTY ...................................................................................... 10
WARRANTY REGISTRATION ........................................................ 12
SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................. 13

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UNPACKING & SET-UP
Your CLASSÉ CA-150 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 CA-150 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 accessary.
The power transformer in the CA-150 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 CA-150 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
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. Switch
stereo/mono switch to [UP] position. (Units preset at factory for STEREO.)
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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MONO
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 the AC line cable. Make sure the STEREO/MONO switch is switched to the
MONO position [DOWN].
The MONO "Input" is the "left channel input", as marked. The unused right channel input is
automatically disconnected. MONO output connections are marked below the connectors.
Repeat the above MONO settings and connections on the second CA-150 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.
REMOTE CONTROL: (OPTIONAL)
With a simple connection from the receiver box to the remote jack at the back of the amplifier,
(see Figure 1) the power amplifier can be turned ON/OFF from a distance (or from another room).

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CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS:
The CLASSÉ CA-150 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
CA-150.
REGULAR INPUTS
Switch the REGULAR/BALANCED switch to the position marked "REGULAR" [UP]. (The amplifier is
factory set for regular use.) Connect the regular interconnects to the RCA input jacks on the rear panels
of the CA-150. The balanced connectors are automatically disabled.
BALANCED INPUTS
Switch the REGULAR/BALANCED switch to the position marked "BALANCED" [DOWN]. 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 CA-150
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 accomodate the different preamp.

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Having confirmed the correct connections, plug the XLR connectors of the balanced interconnects into
the locking XLR connectors on the rear panel of the CA-150. (To remove the connectors, press the tab
above the connector.)
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 CA-150 LIMITED FACTORY WARRANTY (North America only).
IMPORTANT: Warranty registration, and a copy of the “Authorized Dealer Bill of Sale” must be
received at the Classé Audio factory (address: pages 12) within thirty (30) days of purchase by the
original retail purchaser in order to validate these warranty.
FIVE YEAR WARRANTY (all parties)
Classé Audio, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship to the
original retail purchaser for a period of FIVE YEARS from date of manufacture, provided that any
claim in virtue of this warranty be made in writing within such period.
This warranty may not be transferred to any subsequent owner unless the following conditions have
been met: the product will be re-sold through an authorized Classé Audio dealer, who will be
responsible for contacting Classé with all specifics (name of new owner, address of new owner, serial
number of the product) of the subsequent sale. If the subsequent owner has purchased the product
through an authorized Classé Audio dealer, and all of the above conditions have been met, the new
owner will have the benefit of any remaining coverage from the original five year period.
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. Units coming from the USA should be
shipped directly to our CUSTOMS BROKER: STARBER FRITZ INTERNATIONAL C/O
CLASSÉ AUDIO, HIGHWAY 114 EAST, NORTON, VERMONT 05907 USA.
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.