Classe Audio CAP-150 Owners manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO

CAP-150

REMOTE CONTROL

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER

CAP-150

OWNER'S MANUAL

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97

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, all amps and integrated amplifier) 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 complement, 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,
integrated amplifier, 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 provide Classé owners with years of proven trouble free reliability and
musical enjoyment.

2

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97

CAP-150

OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

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

OUTPUTS .......................................................................... 8

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS............................................ 9

PROTECTION CIRCUIT.....…........................................... 13

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS ………................. 21

3

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97
UNPACKING & SET-UP

Your CLASSÉ CAP-150 integrated amplifier 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) REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (Allen key and Batteries: AAA x 2 included).
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer promptly.
Place the CAP-150 at or near its final set-up position, allowing 8 inches (20 mm.) at the rear for
tightening the speaker output connectors and inserting the interconnects. For optimum sonic
performance, we recommend the optional CLASSÉ REFERENCE A.C. LINE CORD. Consult your
dealer regarding this accessory.
The power transformer in the CAP-150 is located at the front/center of the unit. Ideally, a few
feet should separate this area from components that are susceptible to pick up hum. These include
turntables and interconnect cables. In terms of providing adequate airspace for cooling, a clearance of at
least 6 inches (15 mm.) should be left above the unit.
Check the serial number sticker on the back of the unit for the correct operating voltage. The
CAP-150 has one A.C. line fuse, inside the unit, at the back left hand side (facing the unit) directly
besides the small auxiliary transformer, the rating should be as follows:

FOR 100 TO 120 VOLTS : 4 AMPS SLO-BLOW 250V.
FOR 220 TO 240 VOLTS: 3 AMPS SLO-BLOW 250V.

4

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97
A.C. LINE POWER

When the CLASSÉ CAP-150 is first plugged in, only the auxiliary transformer is powered on.
To actually turn the unit on, the POWER switch situated on the front right hand side of the panel (fig.3
page 14) has to be activated. When the power switch is pressed, the MUTE LED will be flashing for
30 seconds. During this period, there will be no response from any of the functions except for the
POWER switch (please note that at this stage, the output terminals of the amplifier section are already
‘connected’ to the loudspeakers).While thoroughly musical shortly after turn-on, the integrated amplifier
will exhibit "sonic growth" during its first 300 hours of use.

SAFETY FEATURE:

The CAP-150 integrated amplifier is designed with an auto-shut down circuit that engages after
an AC power failure. Press the power switch to re-activate the unit after a power shut down
This feature will prevent any turn-on surges or unstable output from reaching the integrated
amplifier and possibly the loudspeakers. Similarly, make sure the MUTE is ON (STEADY GREEN)
again when powering down the unit.

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.

5

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97
INPUTS

CAP-150 REAR PANEL

The input jacks are clearly marked on the back of the CAP-150 (fig.4 page 15). The
following inputs are provided: AUX/PHONO, VIDEO, CD, TUNER, BALANCED, TAPE and
AMP.
AUX/PHONO INPUT
When selected PHONO\AUX, this input serves as a high level input only. Use with sources
such as VIDEO, CD, TUNER, etc.. The AUX/PHONO input could also be fitted with an
OPTIONAL PHONO BOARD plug-in module. A ground screw is provided adjacent to the
AUX/PHONO input jacks.
Please see page 19 to install or remove the phono board.
VIDEO, CD, TUNER
These are all high level inputs sharing exactly the same characteristics, and may be
interchanged if so desired.
BALANCED
The BALANCED INPUT is a true differential high level input, wired as follows:
PIN 1: GROUND
PIN 2: POSITIVE (NON-INVERTED) SIGNAL
PIN 3: NEGATIVE (INVERTED) SIGNAL

6

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97

CAP-150 REAR PANEL

The balanced input may be used with our CD players, which have balanced outputs, or another high
level balanced source, such as our TUNER-1.
TAPE IN

The TAPE IN of the CAP-150 integrated amplifier should be connected to the LINE OUT or
TAPE OUT of the tape deck. The TAPE input does not appear on the selector switch. It is activated
by the TAPE button. (See FRONT PANEL CONTROLS: TAPE BUTTON.)

AMP IN
The SEPARATE button can be activated if you wish to use the amplifier portion of the CAP-
150 by itself. By activating the SEPARATE switch, the preamplifier section is disconnected from
the amplifier section and you can then connect a separate preamplifier, equalizer, cross-over or
other input source to the AMP input.

7

CAP150, Issue 1, Oct. 97

OUTPUTS

CAP-150 REAR PANEL

PREAMP OUT
The Classé CAP-150 integrated amplifier has a regular (single-ended) output that can be
used with an external power amplifier. This output, which follows the gain control, is active at all
times, regardless of whether the SEPARATE button is activated or not. You may use this output to
drive a separate amplifier to bi-amplify a pair of speakers or drive an amplifier in a separate room.
The signal is the same as is being output from the CAP-150s amplifier outputs.
TAPE OUTPUT

Whatever input is selected by the INPUT SELECTOR will be fed to the TAPE OUTPUT
jacks. This should be connected to the TAPE IN or LINE IN of the tape deck.
LOUDSPEAKER OUTPUT
The Classé CAP-150 is equipped with two pairs of 5Way binding posts, (one for each
channel). Virtually all available types of speaker cable connectors can be attached.

8