Classe Audio DAC-88 Owners manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO

DAC-88

DIGITAL/ANALOG PROCESSOR

DAC-88

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 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.

DAC-88

OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

FRONT PANEL AND CONTROLS......................................... 6

DISPLAY INFORMATION...................................................... 7

REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS AND FUNCTIONS............ 9

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION ................................................. 11

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

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

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

UNPACKING & SET-UP

The Classé DAC-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 out the entire unit with the 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 detachable A.C. linecord has also been included.
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer promptly.
The DAC-88 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 DAC-88 from the power
amplifier. As well, keep low-level interconnect cables away from the power amp and separate from
A.C. line cords.
Heat generated by the processor 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 fuse rating should be 3/8 AMP SLO-BLO.

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A.C. LINE POWER

The DAC-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 DAC-88 will exhibit "sonic growth" for the first 300 hours of use.
For optimum sonic performance, you should consider use of the optional CLASSE
REFERENCE A.C. LINECORD. Consult your dealer regarding this accessory.

CAUTION: "FLOATING THE GROUND” OR DEFEATING THE GROUND ON A 3­PRONG 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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FRONT PANEL AND CONTROLS:

1. STANDBY:
When the processor is in standby mode, the source oscillator stops working, this prevents any
possible digital noise or interference from being generated. The analog section as well as the
DACs remains powered to maintain thermal stability of the unit.

2. PHASE:
Selects between inverted (180 degrees phase shift) or normal non-inverted mode (0 degree
phase shift). The audio phase inversion is performed digitally before the data reaches the
DACs and indicated on the display.

3. DISPLAY:
Three (3) different display brightness levels (low/medium/high and off) can be set to suit
room illumination.

4. INPUT SELECTOR:
Selects one of five digital inputs: COAXIAL-1, COAXIAL-2, BALANCED, TOSLINK, and
ST. The input selector passes only DC levels that are used to control high grade relays that do
the actual switching.

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