Classe Audio C-100 Owners manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO

C-100

REMOTE CONTROL

BALANCED PREAMPLIFIER

C-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 sonically fine tuning and technically upgrading
this circuit design and its application, thus reaching a very high level of natural 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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C-100

OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNPACKING & SET-UP................................................................ 4

A.C. LINE POWER.......................................................................... 5

INPUTS............................................................................................. 6

JUMPER SETTING DIAGRAMS (MC/MM, PHONO/AUX)..... 9

OUTPUTS ........................................................................................ 11

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS......................................................... 12

WARRANTY.................................................................................... 15

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS .......................................... 17

WARRANTY REGISTRATION .................................................... 18

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U NPACKING & SET-UP

Your CLASSÉ C-100 preamplifier has been carefully wrapped in heavy gauge plastic, packed in
semi-rigid foam and contained in a special box. To remove the unit, open and spread the top flaps of the
box. By its sides, lift out the entire unit with foam pieces intact. Remove each foam side by pulling
straight out. 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 TOP COVER.

3) RESISTOR KIT FOR MOVING COIL GAIN ADJUSTMENT

4) REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (Allen key and Batteries: AAA X 2 included).
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer promptly.
This preamplifier, being capable of very high gain, must be located in a position free of any
hum-inducing magnetic fields. (This also applies to turntables and interconnect cables.) Positions
adjacent to power amplifiers, A.C line filters, or regulation devices should be avoided. Ideally, a few feet
should separate the preamplifier from the power amplifier. As well, keep low-level interconnect cables
away from the power amp and separate from A.C. linecords.
Heat generated by the preamplifier is negligible. Air space around the unit need not be a
concern.
Check the Serial Number sticker on the back of the unit for the correct operating voltage.
Regardless of voltage, the internal fuse rating should be 1 AMP SLO-BLO.

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A .C. LINE POWER

The Classé C-100 preamplifier has no power switch. Its low power consumption and improved
sonics from always being ON led to the omission of an ON/OFF switch. In fact, while thoroughly
musical shortly after turn-on, the preamplifier will exhibit "sonic growth" during its first 300 hours of
use.
For optimum sonic performance, you should consider the use of the optional CLASSÉ REFERENCE

A.C. LINECORD

. Consult your dealer regarding this accessory.

SAFETY FEATURE:

The C-100 preamplifier is designed with an auto-muting circuit which engages and is indicated
by a FLASHING GREEN LED when the unit is first connected, or after an AC power failure. After 15
seconds the STEADY GREEN LED signals that the unit is in STANDBY mode (Note: MUTE is ON
during STANDBY mode).
This feature will prevent any turn-on surges or unstable output from reaching the power
amplifier and possibly the loudspeakers. Similarly, make sure the MUTE is ON (STEADY GREEN)
again when removing A.C. line power.

CAUTION:

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 WARRANTY SECTION OF THIS OWNER'S MANUAL.

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I NPUTS:

The input jacks are clearly marked on the back of the C-100. The following inputs are
provided: PHONO/AUX, VIDEO, CD, TUNER, BALANCED, and TAPE.
PHONO/AUX
The C-100 preamplifier can be configured as a PHONO or LINE unit by setting the internal
jumpers (see fig.1, 2 & 3, Page 9). The PHONO and AUX share the same pair of RCA input jacks.
The following steps should be performed to switch between them.

1) Make sure MUTE is ON (Steady GREEN)

2) Disconnect A.C. linecord from the wall outlet.

3) Remove the top cover with the Allen key supplied.

4) Locate PHONO/AUX Input and Output jumpers (see fig.1, Page 9). Switch to desired type
of input (see fig.2 & 3 Page 9).
PHONO INPUT:
When switched to PHONO the input can accommodate both magnetic and moving coil
cartridges of varying output levels. Set the jumpers (see fig.1, 4 & 5, Page 9 & 10) to MM for
magnetic or MC for a moving coil cartridge. In the MC position, gain of the Moving Coil stage is
factory preset at 23dB which matches perfectly with most typical MC cartridges. With the resistor
kit (included), the gain can be adjusted from 13dB to 41dB, in order to optimize system gain, and
low noise while using other less typical MC cartridges. (Note: The MC gain is in addition to the
standard MM gain of 38dB). To change the MC gain, proceed as follows:

1) Make sure MUTE is ON (Steady GREEN)

2) Disconnect A.C. linecord from the wall outlet.

3) Remove the top cover with the Allen key supplied.

4) Locate R104 and R204 (see fig.1, Page 9), which are the MC gain setting resistors for the
LEFT and RIGHT channels respectively. Remove the resistors and replace them with newly selected
ones, according to the following chart:

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