Classe audio CT-M600 User Manual

Owner’s Manual

CT-M600

Power Amplifier

NOTICE

All of us at Classé take extreme care to ensure that your purchase will remain a prized investment. We are proud to inform you
that all Classé components have been offi cially approved for the European Community (CE) mark.

 is means that your Classé product was subjected to the most rigorous manufacturing and safety tests in the world.  e CE
mark certifi es that your purchase meets or exceeds all European Community requirements for manufacturing consistency and
consumer safety.

 is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)  is device may not cause harmful interference, and (2)
 is device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.  ese limits are
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.  is equipment generates,
uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment on and off , the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna;

• Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver;

• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit diff erent from that to which the receiver is connected;

• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

CAUTION: Changes or modifi cations to this equipment not expressly approved by the manufacturer could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.

 is product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by U.S. patents ad other intellectual property
rights. Use of this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other
limited viewing uses otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

 e information contained in the manual is subject to change without notice.  e most current version of this manual will be
posted on our web site at http://www.classeaudio.com.

Classé marks the “CE” symbol indicating compliance of this device with the EMC (Electromagnetic

Compatibility) and LVD (Low Voltage Directive) standards of the European Community.

Classé complies with the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/96/EC concerning Waste Electrical
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).  is product must be appropriately recycled or processed in accordance with
these directives. Consult your local waste disposal authority for guidance.

Classé products are designed and manufactured to comply with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
as stated in the European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/95/EC.

2

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that produce
heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades
with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.  e
wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fi t into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and

the point where they exit from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specifi ed by the manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specifi ed by the manufacturer, or sold with
the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid in­jury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualifi ed service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged
in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into
the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been
dropped.

15. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects fi lled with liquids, such as
vases, are placed on the apparatus.

WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK,

DO NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

CAUTION

RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK

DO NOT OPEN

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT
REMOVE COVER. NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

 e lightning fl ash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user
to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage “ within the product’s enclosure that may be of suf­fi cient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

 e exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of im­portant operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

3

Contents

Welcome to the Classé family ........................................................................... 5

a word about installation ............................................................................ 5

Unpacking and Placement ................................................................................ 6

unpacking your amplifier ...........................................................................6

placement .................................................................................................. 6

ventilation .................................................................................................. 6

custom installations .................................................................................... 6

serial number .............................................................................................6

operating voltage ........................................................................................ 7

warm up/break-in period ............................................................................ 8

please read this manual .............................................................................. 8

Special Design Features .................................................................................... 9

highly refined circuit design… .................................................................... 9

extensive listening tests ............................................................................... 9

extraordinary longevity ............................................................................... 9

robust protection ...................................................................................... 10

Front Panel ...................................................................................................... 11

Rear Panel ....................................................................................................... 13

Installation ...................................................................................................... 17

CAN-Bus ...................................................................................................... 20

features ..................................................................................................... 20

hardware setup ......................................................................................... 20

using CAN-Bus ......................................................................................... 22

CAN-Bus shared features .............................................................................23

configuration ............................................................................................ 23

operate ..................................................................................................... 23

AC status ..................................................................................................23

status ........................................................................................................ 23

name ........................................................................................................ 23

global brightness ......................................................................................23

global standby .......................................................................................... 23

CAN-Bus model specific features ................................................................. 24

PlayLink ................................................................................................... 24

amp info ...................................................................................................25

event log ..................................................................................................25

Care and Maintenance .................................................................................... 26

Troubleshooting .............................................................................................. 27

Specifications .................................................................................................. 29

Dimensions ..................................................................................................... 30

4

Welcome to the Classé family

Congratulations on your purchase of a Classé product. It is the result of many
years of continuous refi nement, and we are sure that you will enjoy it for many
years to come.

We value our relationship with our customers. Please allow us to stay in touch
with you by returning your warranty card now, before you pack up the shipping
carton of your new product and forget all about it. Doing so will enable us to
let you know about any possible future upgrades or updates that might become
available for your Classé component.

You can register online at www.classeaudio.com or complete and mail the
registration card located in the separate warranty booklet.

Please take a few moments now to register your new

Classé processor and record your serial number here for
future reference.

Serial #: _________________________________________

a word about installation Every eff ort has been made to make the Classé CT-M600 simple and

straightforward to install and use.

It has been designed specifi cally for rack mount installations, although it may
just as easily be placed on a shelf, in a traditional cabinet or on the fl oor near
the speaker(s).  e size and shape of your room, its acoustics, and the associated
equipment you have chosen to use with your amplifi er all infl uence the ultimate
performance of your system.

For this reason, we strongly encourage you to have your

system installed and calibrated by your dealer, whose
experience, training, and specialized equipment can
make a profound difference in the final performance of
the system.

5

Unpacking and Placement

unpacking your amplifier Carefully unpack your power amplifi er according to the supplied instructions,

and remove all accessories from the carton. Please take care when lifting the
amplifi er, as it is quite heavy.

Important! Keep all packing materials for future transport of your

Classé product. Shipping your new component in anything
other than its purpose-designed packing material may
result in damage that is not covered by the warranty.

placement Most installations will likely utilize an equipment rack, although a shelf, a

traditional cabinet or the fl oor near the speaker(s) are acceptable alternatives. In
any case, take care to position it well away from source components and preamp/
processors, which may be sensitive to the amplifi er’s electromagnetic fi elds.

Note that adequate clearance for the AC cord and connecting cables
must be left behind the amplifi er. We suggest leaving six inches (15 cm)
of free space behind your power amplifi er to allow all cables suffi cient
room to bend without crimping or undue strain.

ventilation Your Classé power amplifi er generates a certain amount of heat in the course

of normal operation.  e vents on both the bottom and the top of the
amplifi er must be kept free from any obstruction which would reduce the fl ow
of air through the unit. Avoid placement on soft surfaces that would restrict
airfl ow (such as plush carpeting).

custom installations Drawings are included in this manual to facilitate special installations and

custom cabinetry (see the section Dimensions). A purpose-designed rack
mount kit is included with this product. Contact your Classé dealer for more
information.

serial number  e serial number for your power amplifi er is found on the rear of the unit.

Please note and record this number on the page entitled Important Safety
Instructions for your future reference.

6

operating voltage  e amplifi er is set at the factory (internally) for 100V, 120V, 220V, 230V, or

240V AC mains operation, as appropriate for the country in which it is to be
sold (230V only in European Union countries, in compliance with CE regulations).
 e voltage setting may not be changed by the user or dealer.

Make sure that the label on the rear panel of your power amplifi er indicates
the correct AC operating voltage for your location. Attempting to operate your
power amplifi er at an incorrect voltage may damage the unit.

Warning: The voltage setting of your power amplifier may not be

changed by the user. There are no user-serviceable parts
within the unit. Please refer any problems to an authorized
Classé service center.

If the AC mains voltage indicated on your power amplifi er is incorrect, please
contact your local, authorized Classé dealer or distributor.

 e amplifi er can easily be powered by a normal 15 or 20-ampere AC mains
line. If other devices are also powered from the same AC line, their additional
power consumption should be taken into account.

 e amplifi er includes protection circuitry that will prevent the amplifi er from
operating at dangerously high or low voltages.

• At startup: the AC mains voltage must be within a range of
approximately -15% to +10% of its nominal value at startup, or
the amplifi er will not turn on. For example, a 120V unit requires
the AC mains to be between approximately 95V–135V in order to
turn on.

• Over-voltage during operation: if the AC mains voltage surges
by roughly 10% or more during operation, the amplifi er will enter
protection mode and shut down.  e Standby LED will fl ash to
indicate the protection mode has been engaged.

• Under-voltage during operation: if the AC mains voltage sags by
15% or more, the amplifi er will continue to play (since this does
not present a particular danger to the amplifi er), but note that
it may not be able to achieve its usual standard of performance
under these compromised conditions.  e Standby LED will fl ash
to indicate the condition.

7

warm up/break-in period Your new Classé power amplifi er will deliver outstanding performance

immediately. However, you should expect to hear it improve somewhat as
it reaches its normal operating temperatures and its various components
“break-in.” It has been our experience that the greatest changes occur within the
fi rst 300 hours, as the amplifi er reaches thermal equilibrium and the capacitors
fully form. After this initial break-in period, the performance of your new
product should remain quite consistent for years to come.

 e only exception to this rule is if the unit is placed in standby or unplugged
for an extended period of time, allowing it to cool down. Depending on the
degree of cooling involved, you should expect a brief warm-up period before the
power amplifi er’s sound quality is at its best. Unless your amplifi er was allowed
to become quite chilled, subsequent thermal re-stabilization should not take
long. Fortunately, you should never have to repeat the initial 300 hour break-in
period.

please read this manual… Please take a few minutes to review this manual, and to familiarize yourself with

your new amplifi er. We understand that you are anxious to plug everything in
and get started. However, reading this manual and following the advice it gives
will ensure that you get all the benefi ts you deserve from having purchased such
a fi ne piece of equipment.

8

Special Design Features

highly refined

circuit design

extensive listening tests Excellent measured performance is to be expected in world-class products, and

All Classé analog amplifi cation stages are based on circuits that have been
extensively optimized over many years of continuous development.

By starting with excellent circuit designs and working with them over the years,
we are able to discover the many small refi nements that add up to superlative
performance, in a variety of applications. Refi ning the circuit board layout,
altering a voltage here, or using a slightly diff erent part there, may make all the
diff erence between solid and absolutely outstanding performance.

 is level of refi nement only comes with a great deal of experience, and is not
available to those who fl it from one trendy notion to the next. It accounts
in no small measure for both the consistency of sonic performance among
Classé products (as they are all based on similar analog gain stages), and for the
consistently excellent reviews those products receive by owners and reviewers
alike.

Classé products deliver that performance. However, experience has shown that
technical excellence alone is insuffi cient to guarantee subjectively musical results.

For this reason, all Classé products are laboriously fi ne-tuned during the
development process by carefully controlled listening tests. Our ears are still
some of the fi nest laboratory test instruments available, and nicely complement
more traditional engineering test equipment. We rely on careful listening tests,
which we view as a necessary complement to the solid engineering you might
rightly expect from Classé.

extraordinary longevity Another benefi t of having worked with highly refi ned circuit designs so

extensively over many years is that we have vast experience in what works well
over the long term.

By using only the highest quality parts to begin with, and then using them in an
informed way as a result of both accelerated aging experiments and actual long­term experience, we are able to design and manufacture products which we are
confi dent will stand the test of time.

We are confi dent that your new Classé product will give you many years of
trouble-free reliability and musical enjoyment, just as previous Classé products
have given their owners.

9

robust protection Finally, your new Classé amplifi er incorporates a variety of protection circuits, all

designed to protect both the amplifi er and your loudspeakers against dangerous
fault conditions. Signifi cantly, these protection circuits do not intrude upon
or limit the normal performance of the amplifi er; rather, they simply put the
amplifi er into protection mode when confronted with abnormal conditions.
 ese conditions include:

• output overload

• DC off set

• AC mains voltage (outside of normal tolerances)

• excessive operating temperatures

If any such conditions occur (any of which might harm either your amplifi er or
possibly your loudspeakers), the amplifi er will immediately go into protection
mode. In such a case, a Standby LED indicator will blink red until the fault can
be righted and the amplifi er is re-started by pressing and holding the standby
button.

Likewise, if the AC mains voltage is out of range, the Standby LED will
blink. In all cases, the unit will need to be re-started once the cause of the fault
condition has been rectifi ed.

10

CT-M600

Front Panel

1 Standby button & LED indicator

 e front panel Standby button will toggle the amplifi er between operate,
its fully operational state, and a standby mode that leaves the amplifi er off ,
yet ready to respond to system commands via any of the supported control
options (e.g. IR input, DC trigger, CAN-Bus, or RS-232).

 e current state of the amplifi er is indicated by the LED indicator in the
Standby button.  e state of this LED indicates the following:

• on (dim red) = standby

• fl ashing blue (on power-up) = initialization

• on (blue) = operate

• fl ashing (after power-up) = AC mains voltage out of range

• fl ashing

• slow fl ashing red = protection circuit(s) engaged

When in standby, the amplifi er’s gain stages are powered down. Only a
small power supply and control circuit remain on, consuming relatively
little power. Fortunately, since the output stages by their nature conduct a
great deal of current, they warm up and sound their best very quickly.

If you are not going to use the amplifi er for an extended period of time,
perhaps while traveling for a vacation, we suggest you disconnect it from
the AC mains. Please be certain that the amplifi er is in standby prior to
disconnecting it from the AC mains.

(alternating red/blue)

= the air intake fi lter needs to be cleaned

11

Also, it is a good practice to physically disconnect any and all valuable
electronics from the AC mains during electrical storms, as a lightning
strike anywhere near your home can put a tremendous surge on the AC
mains that can easily damage any piece of electronics, no matter how well
designed and protected.  e best protection in the case of severe electrical
storms is to simply remove the electronics from any connection with the
power grid.

Caution! If you see the Standaby LED indicator blinking red,

please disconnect the amplifier from the AC mains
immediately and check that all external connections
are cleanly made and secure. If no fault is immediately
obvious, please call your authorized Classé dealer for
assistance.

12

1

4

OUT

CAN BUS

IN

7

RS 232

8
6

5

USB

OUT

TRIGGER

IN

OUT

IR

IN

10

100-120~
220-240~

SHOCK HAZARD - DO NOT OPEN

RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE-NE PAS OUVRIR

CAUTION! TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, GROUNDING

OF THE CENTER PIN OF THIS PLUG MUST BE MAINTAINED

AVIS! POUR RÉDUIRE LE RISQUE DE CHOC ÉLECTRIQUE

LA FICHE CENTRALE DE LA PRISE DOIT ÊTRE

BRANCHÉE POUR MAINTENIR LA MISE À LA TERRE

THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES.
OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS:
(1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND
(2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED,

INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.

9

3

OUTPUT

CLASS 2 WIRING

2

INPUT

Rear Panel

 e following descriptions are intended as a quick reference, should you have
any questions about your new product. Please see the next section (entitled
Initial Setup) for specifi c advice on incorporating your new amplifi er into your
system.

1 Balanced (XLR) Input

Balanced audio interconnections were originally developed for the
telephone and more recently in the professional audio world, for preserving
the delicate nuances of extremely small microphone-level signals. For many
years now, they have also been used by performance-oriented companies
such as Classé to preserve every nuance of the fi nest audio performances in
your collection.

Technically, balanced audio interconnections provide two distinct benefi ts:
they double the signal’s strength as it travels from one component to the
next, increasing the potential signal to noise ratio by 6 dB; they also do an
excellent job of rejecting noise and interference that might otherwise be
picked up between the components, due to either EMI (electromagnetic
interference) or RFI (radio frequency interference). In the world of wireless
telecommunications, there is more potential interference around than ever
before—it makes sense to keep it out of music and movie soundtracks.
For this reason, we strongly recommend using the balanced analog
interconnections between your Classé components wherever possible.

 e pin assignments of these XLR input connectors are:

Pin 1: Signal ground
Pin 2: Signal + (non-inverting)
Pin 3: Signal – (inverting)
Connector ground lug: chassis ground

13

 ese pin assignments are consistent with the standard adopted by the
Audio Engineering Society (AES14-1992).

If you are using your Classé power amplifi er with a Classé preamplifi er/
processor, you’re all set – just remove the supplied shorting pins from the
amplifi er’s XLR connector(s), take standard balanced interconnect cables
and plug them in.

If you are using another brand of preamplifi er or processor, please refer to its
operating manual to verify that the pin assignments of its output connectors
correspond to those of your amplifi er. If not, have your dealer wire the cables
so that the appropriate output pin connects to the equivalent input pin.

2 Single-Ended (RCA) Input

Single-ended cables using RCA connectors are the most common form
of analog connection used in consumer electronics. When implemented
carefully and with use of high quality interconnecting cables, this standard
can provide excellent performance. Classé has gone to extraordinary eff ort
to ensure that the single-ended (RCA) input of your power amplifi er is
as good as possible. However, this connection standard cannot off er the
immunity from interference that balanced interconnection does—hence
our recommendation to use the balanced inputs when possible.

3 Speaker Outputs

Two pairs of high quality fi ve-way binding posts are provided on the
amplifi er, in order to facilitate bi-wiring.

In practice, bi-wiring involves connecting two (preferably identical) sets
of speaker cables between each amplifi er channel and its corresponding
loudspeaker. In many cases, the benefi t is a subjectively improved level of
clarity and detail from the speaker, as a result of being able to feed the two
separate sections of its crossover and driver complement with identical, yet
separate signals.

(Many high quality loudspeakers also off er two sets of connections on their
speakers. Generally, one set of the connections on the loudspeaker feeds the
portion of the speaker’s crossover network that supplies the woofer with its
signal; the other set of connections connects to the portion of the crossover that
supplies the rest of the speaker with the midrange and high frequencies.)

Although the binding posts on your Classé amplifi er will accept bare wire
connections, we strongly recommend the use of high quality spade or hook
lugs, crimped and soldered onto the ends of your speaker wires. Using
high quality connectors will ensure that your speaker connections do not
gradually deteriorate from fraying and oxidizing bare wires. It also helps
prevent accidental short-circuits from poorly-terminated connections.

14

4 Classé CAN-Bus Control Ports

 ese RJ-45 connectors are reserved for control and communication
applications using Classé Audio’s implementation of the Controller Area
Network (CAN) Bus specifi cation. Refer to the CAN-Bus section located
later in this manual for more information.

5 IR Input and Output

Your Classé amplifi er includes two

1/8th

-inch mini mono-jacks in order to
support the IR remote controls that are ubiquitous today. IR commands
exist for toggling the amplifi er between operate and standby, as well as
discrete command codes for either operate or standby.  ese codes may be
used in “macros” for sophisticated remote control systems, facilitating the
control of the amplifi er in the larger context of a complete system.

Actually, this IR Input and Output description is a bit of a misnomer: the
input supplied to these plugs is electrical in nature, not IR. It is obtained by
using standard IR receivers, distribution amplifi ers, and emitters (available
from your dealer) to translate the remote’s fl ashes of infrared light into
corresponding pulses of electricity.  e big advantages here include being
able to easily route the signals anywhere they might need to go, and the
reliability of a solid electrical connection.

Since an IR distribution system such as your dealer may design for you
usually must control many products, your amplifi er includes both an IR
input (for the control of this product) and an IR output (so as to pass
along the same signal to the next product).  is allows you to “daisy chain”
your control wires from one product to the next.

 e amplifi er is designed to respond to IR commands of 5 Volts DC, with
the tip of the mini-plugs defi ned to be “positive” relative to the shank of
the plug.

6 DC Trigger Input and Output

Many audio/video preamplifi ers can supply a DC control voltage to
associated equipment in order to induce desired behavior. Your Classé
amplifi er can take advantage of these capabilities in order to be switched
between operate and standby automatically, perhaps in concert with the
A/V preamp itself.

1/8th

Two

-inch mini mono-jacks provide this remote-controlled turn-on
(that is, toggling between operate and standby) of the amplifi er.  ese jacks
provide a simple pass-through of the control voltage from one to the other,
allowing you to “daisy-chain” a series of amplifi ers quite easily.

 e remote trigger will be operated by the presence of 5–12 Volts DC,
with tip polarity as shown below:

15

7 RS 232 Control Port

 is DB-9 connector has two purposes:

• downloading new operating software into your amplifi er (should
new features ever be added, for example)

• for external control of your amplifi er by systems such as

®

AMX

, Crestron™ and Control 4

™

For more information, please contact your dealer and ask about home
automation systems.

8 USB Control Portt

 e USB connector provides the same functionality as the DB-9 connector
described above. It is compatible with the USB ports on PCs and may
obviate the need for a USB to RS-232 adaptor.

9 AC Mains Input

An IEC standard power cord (supplied) is used with the CT-M600. Plug
the cord into the IEC receptacle on the rear panel, and the other end into
a suitable wall outlet.

10 AC Mains Fuse

Your Classé power amplifi er has an AC mains fuse, accessible on the
rear panel. If you suspect that your AC fuse has blown, disconnect your
amplifi er from the AC mains, as well as from its input connections and
speaker connections, and refer to the appropriate item of the section
enitled Troubleshooting.

Do not open your amplifi er.  ere are no user-serviceable parts within
this product.

Danger! Potentially dangerous voltages and current capabilities

exist within your power amplifier, even when disconnected
from AC mains. Do not attempt to open any portion of
the amplifier’s cabinet. There are no user-serviceable
parts inside your power amplifier. All service of this
product must be referred to a qualified Classé dealer or
distributor.

16

Installation

Tighten to

5.0 in-lbs (0.56 N-m)

Your new Classé amplifi er is quite simple to set up and enjoy. Please follow the
steps outlined below in order to safely set up and use your new amplifi er.

Important:

CT-M600 rack-mount

installation

The AC mains connection should be the last connection you
make on your new power amplifier. In addition, it is always
a good idea to power up your power amplifier(s) last, after
everything else has been powered up and has stabilized.

Conversely, it is good practice to power the amplifier(s)
down first when shutting down the system, as this
prevents any transients from other components from
getting through to your loudspeakers.

1. Unpack everything according to the included instructions.

Be careful when doing so, as this amplifi er is quite heavy.

2.

Place your amplifier (be sure to read “Unpacking and Placement”)
and connect it to the AC mains.  is includes deciding on the location,

making sure you have adequate ventilation, and adequate clearance for all the
wires behind the amplifi er. Once accomplished, connect the amplifi er directly to
the AC mains. Do not use extension cords, as most are not suitable for the current
sometimes required by your amplifi er.

FOR RACK MOUNTING INSTALLATION CONTACT YOUR CLASSÉ
PROFESSIONAL.

.

CT-M600 stand-alone

installation instructions

NON-RACK-MOUNT INSTALLATION FOR CT-M600:

1a. Install (4) feet and secure with (4) #6 fl at washers and
(4) 6-32 X 9/16 philips pan head screws.

17

Optional accessory feet can be purchased and installed as follows.

Tighten to

8.5 in-lbs (0.96 N-m)

Tighten to

5.0 in-lbs (0.56 N-m)

1b. Install (4) accessory feet (FC90902) and secure with
(8) 6-32 X 3/4 screws.

Important!

Install (2) securing brackets when using the CT-M600 in a
stand-alone (non-rack-mount) installation.

2. Install left and right faceplate securing brackets (L7326 for CT-SSP and
CT-AMPS, and L7909 for CT-5300) secure with (4) 8-32 X 3/8 philips
pan head screws.

18

3. Configuring amplifier turn-on delay/amp no.

In a system that contains multiple Classé amplifi ers, you may set the
number of seconds of turn-on delay for each amplifi er, allowing each
to turn on in the order you have specifi ed, rather than all at once.  is

number also acts as an ID when using the CAN-Bus. (Having several powerful
amplifi ers all turning on at the same time can sometimes stress the AC mains
in your home, potentially leading to nuisance tripping of circuit breakers).

 e amplifi er sequence number (turn-on delay) may be programmed by
your Classé dealer using a PC utility.

4. Make your preamp/processor connections.

With the amplifi er in standby (or disconnected from the AC mains), using
high quality interconnecting cables, make the appropriate connections
with the balanced or single-ended connectors.

Make sure all the connections are snug, even if it means gently squeezing
the outer shell of the RCA with pliers and reinserting it to tighten the
connection.

5. Make your speaker connections.

Make the connection between the output terminals of the amplifi er and
your loudspeakers, using high quality speaker wires.

Connect the black (–) terminals on the amplifi er to the black (–) terminals
on your speaker, and the red (+) terminals on the amplifi er to the red (+)
terminals on your speaker. If bi-wiring, run a total of four conductors
between each amplifi er channel and its corresponding loudspeaker: two
separate +/– leads, one for the bass and the other for the mids and treble.
Make sure that no wires cross between the red (+) and black (–) terminals,
at either end.

Make sure all the connections are snug and cannot be easily wiggled
free, but do not overtighten them. If you can give the speaker wires a
reasonable tug without movement, they are snug. Further tightening will
not make a better connection, and (taken to the extreme) may damage the
connectors.

6. Double-check all your connections.

We understand that this step sounds redundant, but it is worth the extra
minute or two it might take just to ensure that all connections are correct
and secure before plugging the power cables to the AC outlets.

7. Turn on all the other components in your system, and then
turn on your amplifier.

It is always good practice to turn any power amplifi er on last, and to turn
it off fi rst. Doing so prevents any turn-on/turn-off transients that might
originate in other components from damaging your loudspeakers.

19

8. Install the front panel.

Once all connections have been made and the amplifi er is verifi ed to be
working correctly, remove the front panel from its packing and fi rmly press
it into place.

NOTE: If the amplifi er is NOT installed in an equipment rack, the
front panel should be secured to the chassis using the supplied security
tabs.  ese will prevent the faceplate from unexpectedly popping off if
someone should try to lift the amplifi er by its front panel.

CAN-Bus Classé’s Controller Area Network, or CAN-Bus, opens the way to a new level

of interaction between our Delta range of amplifi ers, preamps, processors and
source components.
diff erent
creating a “global” network that delivers system wide status information and
shared operational features, all through the touchscreen display.

features CAN-Bus will allow a Delta or CT series touchscreen to:

elements of a Delta or CT series system are in constant communication,

• Display status information for every connected unit, including

amplifi ers which do not have a touchscreen display.

• Create a “PlayLink” that allows an SSP or Preamp to automatically

switch to the correct input when a Delta series source component
starts playback.

• Adjust the global system brightness.

• Confi gure the entire system to go in and out of standby at the

touch of a button and also bring individual components in and
out of standby.

• Mute any connected unit.

When the CT amplifi er is connected with CAN-Bus, the

20

hardware setup 1 Classé Delta or CT Series Products

Two or more Classé Delta or CT series products are required, at least one of
which must have a touchscreen display.

2 Category 5 Network Cables

 ese are ordinary network cables, commonly used for broadband Internet
connections.  ey should be typical “straight through” cables not the “crossed
over” type, and the total required will be one less than the total number of
Delta and/or CT series components in your system.

3 CAN-Bus Terminator

A single CAN-Bus Terminator may be required. It is inserted into the
CAN-Bus OUT connector of the last component in the CAN-Bus daisy
chain. One is
available free of charge from your nearest Classé Customer Support Centre
http://www.Classeaudio.com/support/service.htm

4 SSP-300 & 600 CAN-Bus Interface Box

Systems that include an SSP-600 or SSP-300 will also require an
SSP-300/600 CAN-Bus Interface Box.  ese are included with the products or
available free of charge
http://www.Classeaudio.com/support/service.htm

included in the box with your CT amplifi er. T

from your nearest Classé Customer Support Centre

hey are also

 e diagrams below illustrate how to connect the CAN-Bus hardware.

Any combination of models in any order without SSP-300 or SSP-600.

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

Any combination of models in any order with SSP-300 or SSP-600.

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

CAN- BUS

OUT

IN

NOTE: Daisy chain may need to be terminated with CAN-Bus Terminator.

21

using CAN-Bus CAN-Bus is controlled via the touchscreen of any Delta or CT series

component.  ere is no master component, so Delta/CT series systems where
two or more units have a touchscreen can be controlled through any of the
touchscreens. However, it is probably easiest to start using CAN-Bus through
just one.

CAN-Bus is accessed by pressing the menu button on the face of the unit or
remote, then the status button, followed by the more button.

 e touchscreen will then display the CAN-Bus devices screen, which lists
connected Delta series components by model & serial number.

Highlighting a unit on the CAN-Bus devices screen identifi es it as the target
unit.  e front panel LEDs of the target unit will start fl ashing (unless you
highlight the unit that you are using to access CAN-Bus).

Once you have chosen the target unit press select.  e target unit’s LEDs will
stop fl ashing and the touch screen will list the CAN-Bus features available to it.
Some CAN-Bus features are shared by all models, some are specifi c to individual
models.

22

CAN-Bus shared features  e following CAN-Bus features are shared by all models.

configuration Selecting confi guration will present the CAN-Bus confi guration screen

allowing access to name, global brightness, and global standby features.

operate  e operate settings allow you to bring the target unit in and out of standby, or

mute.  is key will be disabled for the unit whose touchscreen you are using to
access CAN-Bus.

AC status  e AC status screen displays information from the target unit’s electrical supply

sensors. Two screens are available, with the second accessed by selecting more.

status  e status screen is the simplest way to access essential information about

the target unit. It displays the target unit’s model number, software version,
operational status and serial number.

name Allows you to set the name that this component will be listed under in the

CAN-Bus devices screen.  e name will appear next to the unit model and serial
number, and facilitate the identifi cation of units in large systems.

global brightness By setting all your components to global brightness you can adjust the

touchscreen and LED brightness for your entire system by changing the
brightness of a single touchscreen. All CAN-Bus software updates automatically
set the updated unit to Global Brightness. If you want a particular unit to be
excluded from Global Brightness, deselect Global Brightness for that unit.

global standby By setting all your components to global standby you can bring your entire

system in and out of standby by pressing the standby button of any unit or
remote. All CAN-Bus software updates automatically set the updated unit to
global standby. If you want a particular unit to be excluded from global standby,
deselect global standby for that unit.

23

CAN-Bus model
specific features

PlayLink  is feature is exclusive to Delta series disc players and will only function if

 e following CAN-Bus features are model specifi c.

the disc player is connected to a CAN-Bus enabled preamp or surround sound
processor.

When PlayLink is active, pressing play on the disc player will also automatically
switch the preamp/processor to a specifi ed input.  is means that you can listen
to a CD or watch a DVD literally at the touch of a button.

 e fi rst step in using PlayLink is to choose the input you wish to be selected
when play is pressed on the disc player. Press the PlayLink icon, then select the
correct input from the list.

Once you have selected the input press back, then select confi guration.
PlayLink is activated and disabled through the PlayLink icon on the CAN-Bus
confi guration screen.

PlayLink is automatically active after a software update, and the PlayLink icon
will only appear on the CAN-Bus confi guration screen of a Delta series disc
player.

PlayLink can only select a single input per disc player. It is therefore
not designed for users who regularly play both CDs and DVDs
through diff erent inputs from a single disc player. When PlayLink is
active the disc player will default to the same input every time play is
pressed, regardless of whether it is playing CD or DVD.

24

amp info Available for amplifi ers only, this screen displays the data provided by the

heatsink and AC Module temperature sensors.

NOTE:  is feature is only accessible when the target amplifi er is on.

event log Reserved for amplifi ers, this feature is a protection circuitry event log which can

only be accessed when the target amplifi er is in standby.  e protection circuit
shuts down the amplifi er or channel if it overheats or if its output could damage
your speakers.  e event log details the circumstances surrounding the amp
going into protection and should be referred to in situations that require the
intervention of your dealer or Classé customer support.

 e log can report the following events interpreted as follows:

• +ve slow blo trip & -ve slow blo trip —  e average current has
reached the safe operating limit.

• +ve fast blo trip & -ve fast blo trip —  e peak current has
reached the safe operating limit.

• over temperature trip —  e unit temperature has reached the
safe operating limit.

• DC protection trip —
operating limit.

• Communication failure —  ere has been a loss of
communication between the amp’s system monitoring sensors.

• AC line trip —  e power supply has reached the limits of the
amp’s safe operating range.

• Air intake fi lter —  e intake fi lter is constricting airfl ow and
should be cleaned.

 e DC output level has reached the safe

Events are rare and generally occur due to issues that are external to the amp.
 ey should be interpreted positively.  e amp is doing what it’s designed to do.

25

Care and Maintenance

To remove dust from the cabinet of your amplifi er, use a feather duster or a lint­free soft cloth. To remove dirt and fi ngerprints, we recommend isopropyl alcohol
and a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth with alcohol fi rst and then lightly clean the
surface of the amplifi er with the cloth. Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol
that might drip off the cloth and into the amplifi er.

Caution! At no time should liquid cleaners be applied directly to

the amplifier, as direct application of liquids may result
in damage to electronic components within the unit.

From time to time, the air intake fi lter behind the front panel will need to be
vacuum cleaned or removed and rinsed with clean fresh water. A pressure sensor
measures the airfl ow to determine when it is necessary to clean the fi lter. When
cleaning is required, the Standby button will fl ash red/blue and a message will
be sent to connected touchscreen controlled devices via the connected CAN-Bus
system.

26

Troubleshooting

In general, you should refer any service problems to your Classé dealer. Before
contacting your dealer, however, check to see if the problem is listed here.

1. No sound, and Standby LED is not lit.

•  e amplifi er is not plugged into the AC mains, or the AC mains
are down (circuit breaker, fuse).

• A brown-out or short-term loss of power might require the
internal microprocessor to be reset. Unplug the unit for at least
30 seconds and then plug it in again and try powering it up.

•  e AC mains fuse is blown. See Troubleshooting #4, below (or
contact your Classé dealer).

•  e AC mains is out of range. Check the voltage specifi ed on
the rear panel.

2. No sound, and Standby LED is blinking red.

• Your protection circuitry has been engaged. Disconnect the
amplifi er from the AC mains, and disconnect all inputs and
outputs.

•  en try to power up the amplifi er again, connecting it only
to AC power. If the LED continues to blink, there is a fault
condition in the amplifi er itself, and it should be disconnected
and taken to your Classé dealer for service.

• If it powers up without any diffi culty, power it back down and
reconnect only the inputs.  en restart the amplifi er. If it goes
into its blinking protection mode, something is wrong with a
component “upstream” of the amplifi er—probably a DC off set
or similar problem. Your amplifi er is trying to protect your
loudspeakers (even small amounts of DC can damage woofers in
relatively little time). Try diff erent source components to discover
whether the problem is limited to a single source, or exists all
the time (which would indicate a problem with the preamplifi er/
processor). Contact your dealer for help with the appropriate
component.

3. The amplifier keeps shutting off.

• Make sure you are providing adequate ventilation to the
amplifi er, and that the ambient room temperature is below 105°F
(40°C).

• Run through the troubleshooting sequence outlined above
(assuming the amplifi er is going into its protection mode).

•  e amplifi er logs all protection circuit events.  ese are viewable
on the touchscreen of a CAN-Bus connected Classé component
or by your dealer on a PC using a special diagnostic program.
Contact your dealer to assess the likely cause of the trouble.

27

4. The AC mains fuse is blown.

 ere is a specifi c troubleshooting procedure for a blown AC mains fuse,
since this rare occurrence sometimes indicates a signifi cant problem. Please
use the following steps, in order:

a. Disconnect your amplifi er from the AC mains, as well as from its

input connections and speaker connections, and remove the fuse
cover on the rear of the unit.

b. If the fuse appears to be blown, replace it only with a fuse of

the same type and rating (specifi ed below). Using any other type

of fuse, particularly a larger-value fuse, can result in permanent
damage to your amplifi er. If you are not comfortable replacing the

fuse yourself, contact your Classé dealer for assistance.

Mains voltage: 100/120VAC
Fuse type:
Rating: 12A

Mains voltage: 230/240VAC
Fuse type:
Rating: 6.3 A

IEC time lag, high breaking capacity.

IEC time lag, enhanced breaking capacity

c. After replacing the fuse and fuse cover, reconnect the amplifi er to

the AC mains only and turn it on without reconnecting either the
inputs or the speaker wires. If the fuse blows again, disconnect it
from the AC mains and contact your Classé dealer for assistance.

d. If everything seems fi ne, place the amplifi er back into standby

and carefully reconnect the input cable and power the amplifi er
up. If the fuse then blows (or the amplifi er goes into protection),
you may have a serious fault with your preamplifi er/processor.
Contact your Classé dealer.

e. Finally, if everything is still fi ne, place the amplifi er in standby

and carefully reconnect the speaker wires. Check both ends of
the speaker wires for possible short circuits.  en power up the
amplifi er again. If the amplifi er remains functional (the fuse
does not blow), then the original fuse probably blew in order to
protect the amplifi er from a large AC mains surge. If it blows
again, contact your Classé dealer for assistance.

5. The Standby LED is flashing quickly.

• Try resetting the unit by disconnecting it from the AC mains
power, waiting a few seconds, and reconnecting the amplifi er to
power. If this does not solve the problem, contact your Classé
dealer for assistance.

28

Specifications

All tests un-weighted and 500kHz measurement bandwidth (except SNR).

 Frequency response 1Hz – 80kHz, -3dB
10Hz – 155kHz (+0/-3.0dB)
 Output power 600W rms into 8Ω (27.8 dBW)

1200W rms into 4Ω (27.8 dBW)

 Harmonic Distortion <0.002% @ 1kHz balanced

<0.004% @ 1 kHz single ended

 Peak Output Voltage 240V peak to peak, 80V rms no load

220V peak to peak, 73V rms into 8Ω

 Input Impedance 50kΩ balanced / single ended
 Voltage gain 29 dB balanced / single ended
 Input level at clipping 2.86V rms balanced / single ended
 Intermodulation Distortion >100dB below fundamental into

8Ω balanced / single ended
>90dB below fundamental into
4Ω balanced / single ended

 Signal-to-noise ratio -120dB at peak output into 8Ω

Measurement Bandwidth: 22kHz

 Output Impedance 0.03Ω @ 1kHz
 Standby power consumption 3W @ 120V; 4W @ 230V
 Rated power consumption 440W @ 1/8th power into 8Ω
 Dimensions Width (including faceplate): 19” (483mm)

Width (excluding faceplate): 17” (432mm)
Depth (excluding connectors): 18.625” (473 mm)
Height: 6.97” (177mm)

 Gross weight 109lbs (49.5kg)
 Net weight 89lbs (40.5kg)
 Mains voltage

Specifi ed on rear panel

For more information, see your Classé dealer, or contact:

Classé Audio

5070 François Cusson

Lachine, Quebec

Canada H8T 1B3

Telephone [phone]

FAX [phone]

Internet: http://www.classeaudio.com

email: [e-mail]

Classé and the Classé logo are trademarks of Classé Audio Inc. of Lachine, Canada. All rights reserved.
i-Command™ is a trademark of Equity International, Inc. All rights reserved.
AMX® is a registered trademark of AMX Corporation of Richardson, TX. All rights reserved.
Crestron™ is a trademark of Crestron Electronics, Inc. of Rockleigh, NJ. All rights reserved.

29

Dimensions

19.00"
483mm

6.97"
177mm

17.00"

432mm

17.41"

442mm

19.89"

505mm

30

Classé Audio

5070 François Cusson

Lachine, Quebec

Canada H8T 1B3

[phone]

[phone] (fax)

http://www.classeaudio.com

email: [e-mail]

North America: 1 800 370 3740

email: [e-mail]

Europe: 44 (0) 1903 221 700

email: [e-mail]

Asia: (852) 2790 8903

email: [e-mail]

All Others: [phone]

email: [e-mail]

Copyright © 2009 Classé Audio, Inc. Printed in Canada.

V 1.6 091709