Classe Audio 30 User manual
CLASSÉ AUDIO
30
REMOTE CONTROL
BALANCED PREAMPLIFIER
30
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 (all preamps and all amps) 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 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 - least expensive, most expensive, 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 provides Classé owners with years of proven trouble free reliability and
musical enjoyment.
3
30
OWNER'S MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNPACKING & SET-UP................................................... 4
A.C. LINE POWER............................................................. 5
INPUTS................................................................................ 6
OUTPUTS ........................................................................... 8
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS............................................ 9
WARRANTY ..................................................................... 11
FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS............................. 13
WARRANTY REGISTRATION....................................... 14
4
UNPACKING & SET-UP
Your CLASSÉ 30 preamplifier 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) RESISTOR KIT FOR MOVING COIL GAIN ADJUSTMENT
4) REMOTE CONTROL UNIT (Allen key and Batteries: AAA X 2 included).
Please report any damage or missing parts to your dealer promptly.
This preamplifier, being capable of very high gain, 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 preamplifier 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 preamplifier 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 internal fuse rating should be 1 AMP SLO-BLO.
5
A.C. LINE POWER
The Classé 30 preamplifier has no power switch. Its low power consumption and improved
sonics from always being ON led to the omission of an ON/OFF switch. In fact, while thoroughly
musical shortly after turn-on, the preamplifier will exhibit "sonic growth" during its first 300 hours of
use.
For optimum sonic performance, you should consider the use of the optional CLASSÉ REFERENCE
A.C. LINECORD. Consult your dealer regarding this accessory.
SAFETY FEATURE:
The 30 preamplifier is designed with an auto-muting circuit which engages and is indicated by a
FLASHING GREEN LED when the unit is first connected, or after an AC power failure. After 15
seconds the STEADY GREEN LED signals that the unit is in STANDBY mode (Note: MUTE is ON
during STANDBY mode).
This feature will prevent any turn-on surges or unstable output from reaching the power
amplifier and possibly the loudspeakers. Similarly, make sure the MUTE is ON (STEADY GREEN)
again when removing A.C. line power.
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. SEE ALSO
THE WARRANTY SECTION OF THIS OWNER'S MANUAL.
6
INPUTS:
The input jacks are clearly marked on the back of the 30. The following inputs are provided:
PHONO/AUX, VIDEO, CD, TUNER, BALANCED, and TAPE.
PHONO/AUX
The 30 preamplifier can be configured as a PHONO or LINE unit by setting the internal
jumpers. The PHONO and AUX share the same pair of RCA input jacks. The following steps should
be performed to switch between them.
1) Make sure MUTE is ON (Steady GREEN)
2) Disconnect A.C. line cord from the wall outlet.
3) Remove the top cover with the Allen key supplied.
4) Locate PHONO/AUX Input and Output jumpers. Switch to desired type of input.
PHONO INPUT:
When switched to PHONO the input can accommodate both magnetic and moving coil
cartridges of varying output levels. Set the jumpers to MM for magnetic or MC for a moving coil
cartridge. In the MC position, gain of the Moving Coil stage is factory preset at 23dB which matches
perfectly with most typical MC cartridges. With the resistor kit (included), the gain can be adjusted
from 13dB to 41dB, in order to optimize system gain, and low noise while using other less typical
MC cartridges. (Note: The MC gain is in addition to the standard MM gain of 38dB). To change the
MC gain, proceed as follows:
1) Make sure MUTE is ON (Steady GREEN)
2) Disconnect A.C. line cord from the wall outlet.
3) Remove the top cover with the Allen key supplied.
4) Locate R104 and R204, which are the MC gain setting resistors for the LEFT and RIGHT
channels respectively. Remove the resistors and replace them with newly selected ones, according to
the following chart:
7
GAIN COLOR CODED RESISTOR (or) NUMERICAL RESISTOR
13 dB (Brown,Red,Purple,Brown,Brown) 1271
23 dB (standard) (Yellow,White,White,Brown,Brown) 4991
29 dB (Brown,Black,Black,Red,Brown) 1002
35 dB (Red,Black,Black,Red,Brown) 2002
41 dB (Yellow,Purple,Green,Red,Brown) 4752
Silver solder is provided in the kit for this purpose. The resistor kit is for setting the MC gain which
will optimize output levels, noise, and efficiencies of less typical cartridges.
5) Having completed the resistor changes, replace the top cover.
AUX INPUT:
When selected, the AUX input serves as an additional high level input, accommodating
additional sources such as VIDEO, CD, TUNER, etc...
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
It may be used with CD players that have a balanced output, or any other high level balanced
sources.
TAPE IN
The TAPE IN of the 30 preamplifier 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
switch. (See FRONT PANEL CONTROLS: TAPE SWITCH.)
8
OUTPUTS
The Classé 30 preamplifier has both regular (single-ended) and balanced outputs. Both are
working at all times, and may be used separately, or simultaneously.
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.
REGULAR OUTPUTS
Simply connect your regular interconnects to the RCA output jacks marks REGULAR
OUTPUT on the back of the 30.
BALANCED OUTPUTS
A balanced power amplifier and balanced interconnects are also required. For use with a
balanced power amplifier other than Classé, the wiring of the 3-pin XLR connectors must be wired
as follows:
PIN 1: GROUND
PIN 2: POSITIVE (NON-INVERTED) SIGNAL
PIN 3: NEGATIVE (INVERTED) SIGNAL
If the pin configuration of the power amplifier differs from above, the balanced interconnects
must be modified to accommodate the different power amp.
Having confirmed the correct connections, plug the XLR connectors of the balanced
interconnects into the locking XLR connector on the rear of the 30 marked BALANCED OUTPUT.
(To remove the connectors, press the tab above the connector.)
9
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS
INPUT SELECTOR:
This selects one of the five inputs connected to the preamplifier, except TAPE IN (see TAPE
SWITCH below). The selector switch is silent and will prevent pulses when switching positions.
However, it remains good practice to reduce the volume control level or put MUTE to ON (steady
GREEN LED) when changing the input selection.
TAPE SWITCH:
In the SOURCE position, the preamp will process the signal as chosen by the INPUT
SELECTOR. In the TAPE position, the preamp will process the TAPE INPUT signal, overriding the
INPUT SELECTOR.
BALANCE CONTROL:
The custom balance control permits equal output of each channel in the center (detented)
position without additional loading to the signal. When shifted to the left or right, it merely
attenuates the opposite channel.
VOLUME CONTROL: (remote control)
The VOLUME CONTROL varies the output level of both channels simultaneously. It can be
operated from remote using the hand held control unit or manually turning the control knob at the
preamp.
PLAY/MUTE SWITCH: (remote control)
Switching between PLAY and MUTE can be done by either manually pressing the
PLAY/MUTE switch down momentarily on the 30 faceplate or pushing the MUTE button on the
hand held remote control unit. The PLAY (or MUTE OFF) and MUTE ON selections are indicated
by the STEADY RED or GREEN LED respectively at the preamp.
10
When MUTE (ON) is selected, which is indicated by a STEADY GREEN LED, the outputs
of the preamplifier are completely cut off. In the PLAY (MUTE OFF) selection, which is indicated
by a STEADY RED LED, the signal is allowed to pass to the power amplifier.
NOTE: WHEN THE 30 IS IN THE MUTE POSITION, AND THE VOLUME CONTROL
IS TURNED UP USING THE REMOTE CONTROL UNIT, THE PLAY MODE IS
AUTOMATICALLY SELECTED.
CAUTION: Make sure the preamp is in MUTE (ON) when making or changing any connections.
This includes all inputs and outputs, as well as A.C. line cord.
Table of contents
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