Classe Audio P-303 User manual

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

CLASSÉ AUDIO

P-303

POWER AMPLIFIER

P-303

OWNER'S MANUAL

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

-2-

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-303 is based on Classé’s whole history of designing and building High End amplifiers.The

P-303 is an Ultra- High performance amplifier of incredible sonic realism capable of

transmitting to the listener the emotional essence of the music. The P-303 has a massive toroidal

transformer totalling 2 KVA, each with their own power cords and a huge storage capacity

which totals over 70000 uF per channel. The P-303 has 10 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-303 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.

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

-3-

P-303

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

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

UNPACKING & SET-UP

Your CLASSÉ P-303 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-303 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-303 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-303 has one external AC fuse, the rating of which should be as follows:

LINE VOLTAGE FUSE RATING

100 or 120 V.A.C. 12 AMP SLOW BLOW 125 or 250 volts

220 or 240 V.A.C 10 AMP SLOW BLOW 250 volts

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

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-303 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

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

STEREO (CONTINUED)

OVERTIGHTEN the output connectors. When powering up the P-303 in stereo mode, the front

LED will blink RED for approximately 20 seconds, when the sequence is completed, will be solid

RED.

MONO

Please read through the previous Stereo section for general notes on securing good

connections, and safety tips. If the unit has been previously used in stereo, make sure it is OFF, and

remove all connections, including the AC line cable. Make sure the STEREO/MONO switch is

switched to the MONO position. NOTE: The Stereo-Mono switch will not operate if the amplifier is

turned on, you will NOT be able to change from one mode to the other, as the mode is “locked”

while the amplifier is on.

The MONO "Input" is the "left channel input", as marked. The unused right channel

input is automatically disconnected. Correct output phase MONO connections are marked below the

connectors.

Repeat the above MONO settings and connections on the second P-303 to be used for the

other channel.

Please remember that the negative output connection of a bridged amplifier is NOT a

ground. Do not use a "common ground” switch-box set-up. Do not use with electronic crossovers

which have a common ground. Connecting two bridged amplifiers to a common ground device of

any sort will cause the amplifiers to fail.

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

MONO OPERATION

As stated above, either the regular or balanced inputs can be used in stereo or mono.

Connect a single interconnect, either regular or balanced, to the left channel input of each amplifier.

See the "Mono" section above for complete details. NOTE: Neither the Stereo-Mono switch nor the

REGULAR/ BALANCED switch will operate while the amplifier is turned on. You will NOT be able to

change from one mode to the other, as these modes are “locked” while the amplifier is on. To

activate the circuit, turn off the unit and engage the STEREO/MONO switch to REGULAR. If the unit has

not been turned off before engaging the switch, turn off the unit, wait for about 10 seconds, and turn

the unit on again, the circuit will then engage.

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

CONNECTIONS FOR REGULAR OR BALANCED INPUTS:

The CLASSÉ P-303 power amplifier is equipped with both regular and balanced inputs.

Either one may be used SEPARATELY, BUT NOT SIMULTANEOUSLY. The balanced inputs must be

connected to a preamplifier which has balanced main outputs. Balanced interconnects with "XLR"

connectors are also required. Regardless of the amplifier inputs used, stereo or mono operation is

possible on the P-303.

REGULAR INPUTS

Engage the REGULAR/BALANCED switch to the position marked "REGULAR". (The amplifier is

factory set for “REGULAR”.) NOTE: The REGULAR/ BALANCED switch will not operate if the

amplifier is turned on; you will NOT be able to change from one mode to the other, as the mode is

“locked” while the amplifier is on. To activate the circuit, turn off the unit and engage the

REGULAR/BALANCED switch to REGULAR. If the unit has not been turned off before engaging the

switch, turn off the unit, wait for about 10 seconds, and turn the unit on again, the circuit will then

engage. Connect the regular interconnects to the RCA input jacks on the rear panels of the P-303. The

balanced connectors are automatically disabled.

BALANCED INPUTS

Switch the

REGULAR/BALANCED switch to the position marked "BALANCED". A balanced

preamplifier and balanced interconnects are also required. NOTE: The REGULAR/ BALANCED switch

will not operate if the amplifier is turned on; you will NOT be able to change from one mode to the

other, as the mode is “locked” while the amplifier is on. If the unit has not been turned off before

engaging the switch, turn off the unit, wait for about 10 seconds, and turn the unit on

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

BALANCED INPUTS (CONTINUED)

again, the circuit will then engage. For use with balanced preamplifiers other than Classé, the

wiring of the 3-pin XLR connectors must be matched to that of the CLASSÉ P-303 which is wired as

follows:

PIN 1: SHIELD (Should be connected only at the preamplifier end of the cable)

PIN 2: POSITIVE (NON-INVERTED) SIGNAL, “HOT”

PIN 3: NEGATIVE (INVERTED) SIGNAL

All Classé preamplifiers and amplifiers are configured as above. Some preamplifiers from other

manufacturers have PIN-3 set as the positive or “HOT” side. If this is true of your preamplifier, and

you wish to maintain absolute phase throughout your system, the interconnects must have the wire

which is connected to PIN-3 at the preamplifier output end switched to PIN-2 at the amplifier input

end and the wire which is connected to PIN-2 at the preamplifier output switched to PIN-3 at the

amplifier input end.

Having confirmed the correct connections, plug the XLR connectors of the balanced

interconnects into the locking XLR connectors on the rear panel of the P-303. Push the connectors in

until the locking mechanism clicks. (To remove the connectors, press the tab above the connector

while pulling gently on the connector body.)

CA-301 ISSUE 1 MAY ‘99

PROTECTION CIRCUIT

A special circuit in the Classé P-303 continuously monitors the output audio signal to detect

output overload, clipping or DC content. In addition, each channel has two front end supply voltage

fuses (3/4 amp fast blow), located on the front end voltage regulation board, to protect the input

circuitry from damage due to overload

There is also an AC line fuse, located at the rear of the amplifier immediately above the IEC

receptacle.

If the protection circuit of the unit is triggered or any of the protection fuses has blown, the

FRONT PANEL POWER LED will go to BLINKING GREEN.

IF THE PROTECTION CIRCUIT HAS BEEN TRIGGERED, TURN THE P-303 OFF.

.After the situation which has triggered the protection circuit has been clearly identified and

corrected, attempt to re-start the unit. IF THE UNIT STILL GOES INTO PROTECTION MODE,

OR IF IT APPEARS THAT PROTECTION FUSES DID BLOW, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL

DEALER. DO NOT TRY TO CHANGE A BLOWN FUSE. REPLACING A FUSE WITHOUT

CHECKING FOR COMPONENT FAILURE COULD RESULT IN FURTHER, SERIOUS

DAMAGE TO VITAL COMPONENTS IN YOUR AMPLIFIER. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL

DEALER or Customer Service at the Classé Audio, Inc ---(514) 636 63 84.

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