Classe Audio 6 User manual

CLASSÉ AUDIO

6/6L

PREAMPLIFIER

6/6L

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.

6/6L

OWNER'S MANUAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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

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

INPUTS................................................................................ 6

OUTPUTS ........................................................................... 8

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS............................................. 9

WARRANTY ......................................................................13

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS ..............................15

WARRANTY REGISTRATION ........................................16

-4-

UNPACKING & SET-UP

Your new 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 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 following has also been included:

1) Detachable linecord

2) 5/64 in. Allen key for top cover

3) (PHONO MODEL) Resistor kit for Moving Coil gain adjustment

4) (REMOTE CONTROL OPT. ONLY) Control unit (Allen key and Batteries AAA X 3

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 fuse rating should be 1 AMP SLO-BLO.

-5-

A.C. LINE POWER

The 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, this preamplifier will exhibit "sonic growth" for 300 hours as it is used.

For optimum sonic performance, you should consider use of the optional CLASSE

REFERENCE A.C. LINECORD. Consult your dealer regarding this accessory.

CAUTION: There is no auto-muting circuit. If connections to the power amplifier have

already been made when connecting the preamp to the A.C. line, make sure the MUTE switch is in the

ON (down) position. This will prevent any turn-on surges from reaching the power amplifier and

possibly the loudspeakers. Similarly, make sure the MUTE switch is ON again when removing A.C.

line power.

SAFETY FEATURE: (With optional remote control) The 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 A.C. power failure. After 15 seconds the STEADY GREEN LED signals that

the unit is in STANDBY mode (Note: Mute is ON during STANDBY mode).

CAUTION: "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.

There are two A.C. OUTLETS on the back of the external power supply. These are both unswitched and

unfused and are best suited for auxiliary components. Power amplifiers are best plugged directly into a

wall outlet.

-6-

INPUTS

The input jacks are clearly marked on the back of the 6/6L. The following inputs are provided:

PHONO (PHONO MODEL ONLY), BALANCED, CD, TUNER, AUXILIARY, AUXILIARY 2

(LINE MODEL ONLY), and TAPE.

PHONO (PHONO MODEL ONLY)

The PHONO input can accommodate both magnetic and moving coil cartridges of varying

output. Set the toggle switch (located in between the left and right input jacks) 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

22dB which matches perfectly with most typical MC cartridges. With the resistor kit (included), the gain

can be adjusted from 20 to 40db, 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 35dB.) To change

the MC gain, proceed as follows:

1) Make sure the MUTE switch is ON (down position or steady GREEN LED in optional

remote control unit).

2) Disconnect the A.C. linecord from the wall outlet.

3) Remove the top cover with the Allen key supplied.

4) Locate R15 and R16, which are the MC GAIN setting resistors for the left and right channels

respectively. ("MC GAIN" is marked above each resistor on the circuit board.) Remove the resistors and

replace them with newly selected ones, according to the following chart:

GAIN COLOR CODED RESISTOR (or) NUMERICAL RESISTOR

20 dB (Brown,Black,Black,Black,Brown) 1000F

22 dB(standard) (Brown,Red,Purple,Black,Brown) 1270F

24 dB (Brown,Blue,Green,Black,Brown) 1650F

26 dB (Red,Brown,Green,Black,Brown) 2150F

28 dB (Red,Gray,Purple,Black,Brown) 2870F

-7-

30 dB (Orange,Gray,Orange,Black,Brown) 3830F

32 dB (Green,Brown,Brown,Black,Brown) 5110F

34 dB (Purple,Blue,Gray,Black,Brown) 7680F

36 dB (Brown,Brown,Green,Brown,Brown) 1151F

38 dB (Brown,White,Blue,Brown,Brown) 1961F

40 dB (Yellow,Red,Red,Brown,Brown) 4221F

Silver solder is provided in the kit for this purpose. THE RESISTOR KIT IS FOR SETTING THE MC

GAIN WHICH WILL OPTIMIZE LEVELS, NOISE, AND EFFICIENCIES OF LESS TYPICAL MC

CARTRIDGES.

5) Having completed the resistor changes, replace the top cover.

BALANCED, TAPE, HIGH LEVEL INPUT INFORMATION

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 balance output, or any other high level, balanced

source. The TAPE IN of the 6/6L 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 6/6L 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 marked REGULAR MAIN

OUT on the back of the 6/6L.

BALANCED OUTPUTS

A balanced power amplifier and balanced interconnects are also required. For use with balanced

power amplifiers 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 connectors on the rear panel of the 6/6L marked BALANCED

MAIN OUT. (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 preamp, except TAPE IN (see Tape Switch

below). The switch is silent and will prevent pulses when switching positions. However, it remains

good practice to reduce the volume control level or put the MUTE switch ON 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 MONITOR position, the preamp will process the TAPE INPUT signal, overriding

the INPUT SELECTOR.

MODE SWITCH

Normally used in the STEREO position, this switch is excellent for checking channel

information, noise, and troubleshooting. The LT position will send left channel only information to both

outputs. The RT position will send right channel only information to both outputs. The REV position

swaps the left and right channel information. MONO combines both left and right channel information

and sends identical mono signals to both outputs.

BYPASS SWITCH

For optimum sonic performance, the BYPASS ON position eliminates the INPUT SELECTOR,

TAPE, and MODE switches from the signal path. (Hint: if other inputs appear not to be working, check

the BYPASS switch!). The BYPASS switch works in conjunction with the BYPASS MODE switch,

below.

BYPASS MODE SWITCH

This switch selects which input will be bypassed. On the PHONO MODEL ONLY, select

between PHONO or BALANCED. On the LINE MODEL ONLY, select between CD or BALANCED.

-10-

BYPASS OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Turn "Selector Switch" to the desired input function position.

2. Move "Bypass Mode Switch" also to the desired input function position.

3. Turn "Bypass On/Off Switch" to the "On" position.

Possible bypass choices are:

PHONO Model: "Phono" or "BAL" inputs;

LINE Model: "Balanced In" or "CD" inputs.

NOTES: The input "Selector Switch" must be turned to the desired input bypass function, as all

other positions not chosen are shorted to ground for superior sonic and grounding reasons. (However,

the "Signal Path" does not travel through the selector switch; you are just choosing which input does not

get shorted to ground.)

Bypass operation removes "Signal Path" from Selector, Tape, and Mode Switches.

BALANCE CONTROL

The custom BALANCE control permits equal output of each channel in the centre (detented)

position without additional loading to the signal. When shifted to the left or right, it merely attenuates

the opposite channel. With optional remote control feature the BALANCE control can be operated from

remote using the hand held remote control unit (See fig.1, 2 page 12) or manually turning the control

knob at the prea

VOLUME CONTROL

The VOLUME control varies the level of both channels simultaneously. With optional remote

control feature the VOLUME control can be operated from remote using the hand held remote control

unit (See fig.1, 2 page 12) or manually turning the control knob at the prea

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