Classe Audio P-403 Owners manual

P-403 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

CLASSÉ AUDIO

P-403

POWER AMPLIFIER

P-403

OWNER'S MANUAL

P-403 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

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. CIRCUIT DESIGN:
The P-403 is based on Classé’s whole history of designing and building High End amplifiers.The
P-403 is an Ultra- High performance amplifier of incredible sonic realism capable of
transmitting to the listener the emotional essence of the music. The P-403 has a massive toroidal
transformer totalling 3 KVA, each with their own power cords and a huge storage capacity
which totals over 85000 uF per channel. The P-403 has 12 high voltage/current Bi-Polar output
devices per channel. Discrete high voltage/current voltage regulation for the pre-driver and input
sections. Also featured are heavily gold plated bars connecting supplies of the output devices.
Gold plated input and output connectors. Oxygen free copper wiring. All signal carrying cables
are shielded and have Litz type configuration. The P-403 is symmetrical from input to output

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.

-2-

P-403 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

P-403

OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

GENERAL CONNECTIONS.............................................................. 5

CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR AND BALANCED INPUTS.... 8

PROTECTION CIRCUIT.................................................................... 10

IR IN AND OUT……...…………………………………………… 11

SPECIFICATIONS………………………………………………... 14

-3-

P-403 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

4

UNPACKING & SET-UP

Your CLASSÉ P-403 power amplifier is packed in high density, semi-rigid foam placed in a
special cardboard box. To remove the unit, open and spread all the top flaps of the box and by its
sides, lift out the entire unit and put it on a large flat surface. Take it out of the plastic bag and
inspect the unit for any concealed damage. Apart from this owner's manual, please ensure the
following has also been included:

1) One (1) detachable A.C. linecord

2) Nut driver for output connectors

Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer immediately.

Place the P-403 at or near its final set-up position, allowing 8 inches at the rear for tightening
the speaker output connectors.
The power transformer in the P-403 is located at the front-center of the unit. Ideally, a few
feet should separate this area from components which potentially could pick up hum. These include
preamplifiers, turntables, and interconnect cables. In terms of providing adequate airspace for
cooling, a good rule of thumb is to allow 6 inches above and 3 inches on each side of the unit.
Check the Serial Number sticker on the back of the unit for the correct operating voltage.
The P-403 has one external AC fuse, the rating of which should be as follows:

LINE VOLTAGE
100 or 120 V.A.C. AMP SLOW BLOW ,125 or 250 volts
220 or 240 V.A.C AMP SLOW BLOW, 250 volts

FUSE RATING

-

-

P-403 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

5

GENERAL CONNECTIONS

A.C. LINE
Insert the linecord into the A.C. receptacle on the rear of the unit. PLEASE MAKE SURE

YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY HOOKED UP THE SPEAKERS AND PREAMPLIFIER TO
YOUR AMPLIFIER BEFORE CONNECTING THE AC POWER CORD TO THE
AMPLIFIER.

IMPORTANT NOTE
CAUTION: SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
DISCONNECT THE AC LINE CABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY OTHER 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. LINECORD
TO THE WALL OUTLETS. THIS WILL REDUCE THE POTENTIAL SHOCK HAZARD.

STEREO
Input and output connectors are clearly marked on the back of the amplifier. Left/Right
connections are oriented from the front of the unit. Stereo output connections are marked above the
connectors. Switch stereo/mono switch to STEREO position. (The P-403 is preset at the factory for
STEREO.)
Use only high quality interconnect and loudspeaker cables, and make all connections tight. If
the RCA input plugs are loose, remove them and pinch down the ground leaves slightly with pliers.
Observe correct phasing of the loudspeaker connections, and tighten. DO NOT

-

-