Classe Audio M-700 User manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO
M-700
POWER AMPLIFIER
M-700
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 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.

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M-700
OWNER'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNPACKING & SET-UP.................................................................. 4
GENERAL CONNECTIONS............................................................ 5
CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS..... 6
WARRANTY ..................................................................................... 7
WARRANTY REGISTRATION ...................................................... 9
SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................ 10

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UNPACKING & SET-UP
Your CLASSÉ M-700 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
3) Nut driver for CLASSÉ output bolts
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer as soon as possible.
Place the M-700 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 M-700 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 M-700 has only one fuse, the rating of which should be as follows:
LINE VOLTAGE FUSE RATING
100 or 120 V.A.C. 8 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 M-700 WARRANTY SECTION OF THIS OWNER'S MANUAL.
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.
Tighten the output bolts with the nut driver supplied, placing the wire or lug between the washer and
large chassis nut. Observe correct phasing of the loudspeaker connections.
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 M-700 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 INPUT
The amplifier is factory set for regular use. Connect the regular interconnects to the RCA
input jack on the rear panel of the M-700, and make sure the toggle switch lever is closest to the
position marked REGULAR. The balanced XLR connector is automatically disabled.
BALANCED INPUT
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 M-700 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 connector on the rear panel of the M-700. (To remove the
connectors, press the tab above the connector.) Disconnect the M-700 from the A.C. line. Make
sure the toggle switch lever is switched from the REGULAR to the BALANCED position. This
activates the balanced inputs and disables the regular inputs.

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CLASSÉ M-700 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 purchase by the original owner,
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;

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6) Non-compliance with any of the other conditions hereof.
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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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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M-700 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.)
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SEND TO: CLASSÉ AUDIO INC.
Product Registration
5070 François Cusson
Lachine, Quebec, Canada
H8T 1B3

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CLASSÉ M-700
STEREO BALANCED POWER AMPLIFIER
SPECIFICATIONS SHEET
M-700 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
1.6 VOLTS in for rated output
70 KOhms
100 dB
700 Watts
1400 Watts
24 1/2" x 24 1/2" x 12 1/2"
19" x 17 1/2" x 7 1/4"
70 lbs
65 lbs