Classe Audio CDT-88 Owners manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO

CDT-88

CD TRANSPORT

CDT-88

OWNER'S MANUAL

CLASSÉ DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

1. REPEATED LISTENING DESIGN SESSIONS:
Fine tuning the sound by exchanging and mixing different parts (transistors, capacitors, wiring,
PCB boards etc.), and adjusting many specific operating voltages within proper engineering ranges, has
allowed us to produce 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 share exactly the same circuit design philosophy. This means all amplifiers
and all high level circuits 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.

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.

CDT-88
OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS AND FUNCTIONS ............... 6

DISPLAY, FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS........................... 7

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION..................................................... 13

SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................... 15

WARRANTY................................................................................ 16

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

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UNPACKING & SET-UP

1. UNPACKING AND ACCESORIES:
The Classé CDT-88 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 the CDT-88 out along with its attached foam packing. Remove each foam side by pulling
them straight out. Remove the plastic wrap and inspect the unit for any concealed damage. Report any
concealed damage to your dealer promptly.
Apart from this owner's manual, please ensure the following is also included:

1) Detachable A.C. power cord.

2) Remote control handset (along with allen key and two (2) type "AAA" batteries).
Please report any missing parts to your dealer promptly.

2. SETUP:
The CDT-88 transport must be operated on a horizontal platform (see specifications for details)
such as a table or, preferably, specialized audio furniture to extract the best performance. Like fine
turntables and interconnect cables, the final location of the CDT-88 should be free of any hum-inducing
magnetic fields, such as those caused by power amplifiers, AC line filters and other regulation devices.
Such locations can introduce noise into an audio system, which inevitably degrades sound quality.
Ideally, a few feet should separate the CDT-88 from the power amplifier. As well, keep low-level
interconnect cables away from the power amp and separate from A.C. power cords.
The CDT-88 generates negligible amounts of heat. Therefore, air space around the CDT-88 for
ventilation need not be a concern.
Important! Check the Serial Number sticker on the back of the unit for the correct operating voltage.
Regardless of the voltage, the fuse rating should be a 3/8 AMP SLO-BLO type.

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A.C. LINE POWER

The CDT-88 has no ON/OFF switch. Its low power consumption and improved sonics from
always being ON led to the use of a STANDBY switch only. While thoroughly musical shortly after
turn-on, the CDT-88 will exhibit "sonic growth" for the first 300 hours of use.
For optimum sonic performance, you should consider use of the optional CLASSÉ
REFERENCE A.C. LINE CORD. Consult your dealer regarding this accessory.

CAUTION: "FLOATING THE GROUND” OR DEFEATING THE GROUND ON A 3-PRONG
LINE CORD MAY CREATE A SHOCK HAZARD. CONNECT ALL INTERCONNECT CABLES
BETWEEN THE ELECTRONICS BEFORE CONNECTING THE A.C. LINE CORDS TO THE
WALL OUTLETS. THIS WILL REDUCE THE POTENTIAL SHOCK HAZARD. IN ADDITION,
PLEASE READ THE WARRANTY SECTION OF THIS OWNER'S MANUAL.

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REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS AND FUNCTIONS

Connecting the CDT-88 to your audio system requires a digital interface cable between the
CDT-88 and your digital processor, and the supplied AC power cord. Each is described in detail below.
Refer to Fig. 1 on page 11 for visual aid.
The CDT-88 is equipped with three types of high-quality digital output interfaces:

1. ST OPTICAL DATA OUTPUT CONNECTOR:
This is a high quality digital output for optical ST standards. To use this output, you need an ST
Glass interface cable and an optical ST input on your digital processor. Consult your dealer regarding
the optimum cable for your system.

2. BALANCED (AES/EBU) DATA OUTPUT CONNECTOR:
This is a high quality digital output built around an XLR connector. To use this output, you
require a balanced cable and an AES/EBU input connector on your digital processor. Consult your
dealer regarding an optimum quality cable for your system.

3. COAXIAL DATA OUTPUT CONNECTOR:
This is the popular S/PDIF digital output for electrical S/PDIF standards. It requires a coaxial
interconnect cable and a digital coaxial input on your digital processor. Again, contact your dealer
regarding a high quality digital cable for your system.
A NOTE ABOUT THE CONNECTING CABLES:
The overall performance of the CD transport will vary dramatically with the quality and type of
cables chosen. Selection of the highest quality digital output cables combined with proper output
interconnects is recommended for maximum performance of the Classé CDT-88.
AC LINE INPUT
In addition to the three digital outputs, the remaining connection on the rear panel of the CDT-88
is the AC input connector. Connect the supplied AC power cord to this input. As the CAUTION
section on the previous page indicates, it is always a wise PRECAUTION to connect all interconnect
cables before attaching the AC power cords.

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