Owner`s manual

SECTION 5:
SYSTEM HOOKUP
SAFETY NOTE: Before you begin work we very
strongly advise that all electronic equipment be
unplugged from the AC outlets. They should at
least be switched off with the AC switch (NOT in
Standby). Failure to follow the above advice can
(usually WILL) result in damage to speakers and to
electronics and to You.
5.1 INTRODUCTION
Don’t let the quantity of connectors on the
SSP-75’s rear panel disturb you. If you have ever
connected an integrated amplifier or preamplifier
to an audio system, you are well equipped to work
with the SSP-75.
5.2 CONNECTING THE SSP-75 TO YOUR
POWER AMPLIFIER(S)
But read the following comment first!
The SSP-75 will work exceptionally well with almost
any power amplifier or combination of power
amplifiers you choose. You may elect to use mono-
block amplifiers with balanced inputs, a three
channel amplifier with RCA inputs for the Center,
Left Surround, and Right Surround speakers, and a
self-powered subwoofer . . . or any other
combination that best fits your needs.
The SSP-75 lets you use Balanced (XLR) and Single
ended (RCA) jacks for any connections. The choice
is yours. Ask you Classé dealer for assistance if
necessary. They will be glad to help.
Be careful to maintain proper channel continuity.
A little labeling goes a long way. For example,
do not run a cable from the SSP-75’s Sub output
to the amplifier channel dedicated to the Left
Surround speaker: Neither you nor the speakers
involved will respond favorably.
You may choose the balanced XLR outputs for
your theater. Balanced connections have several
advantages and have long been preferred
by dedicated audiophiles for two channel
music reproduction.
5.2.1 LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT AMPLIFIER(S)
Connect the SSP-75’s Left Front and Right
Front Outputs to the Left Front and Right
Front amplifier(s)
Choose XLR or RCA connectors depending on
which style your amplifier requires.
We recommend the balanced XLR connections
for Left Front and Right Front channels, if at all
possible. First, align the three pins and their
receptacles properly and push the connectors
firmly into place until you hear a ‘click.’ This
tells you the cable is seated properly.
RCA-style cables should be twisted slightly as
you insert them into (or remove them from)
the appropriate jack (follow the manufacturer’s
suggestions here).
Using the appropriate cable, connect the
SSP-75’s Left Front output to the corresponding
amplifier input.
Next, connect the SSP-75’s Right Front output to
the corresponding amplifier input.
5.2.2 CENTER CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
Connect the SSP-75’s Center Channel output to
the Center Channel amplifier.
5.2.3 LEFT AND RIGHT SURROUND AMPLIFIERS
Connect the SSP-75’s Left and Right Surround
(rear) Channel outputs to the Left and Right
Surround amplifier(s).
5.2.4 SUBWOOFER CONNECTIONS
Connect the SSP-75’s Sub (Subwoofer) output.
Follow the suggestions above for
RCA-style connections.
If you’re using a passive (non-amplified) subwoofer,
connect the SSP-75’s ‘Sub’ output to the
corresponding amplifier input. Then connect
the amplifier to the subwoofer with appropriate
speaker cable.
If you’re using a self-powered subwoofer (one with
a built-in amplifier), connect the ‘Sub’ output to the
subwoofer’s line level input. In this case, we
strongly suggest that you disable the subwoofer’s
internal crossover as the SSP-75 already performs all
necessary frequency filtering with a sophisticated
digital crossover. The subwoofer’s own crossover,
usually a less capable circuit, is not needed unless
it incorporates system-specific bass contouring or
servo control circuits.
CAUTION: Do not connect a power amplifier’s
output to a subwoofer’s line level input. This will
almost certainly damage the subwoofer, possibly
damage the amplifier, and may harm both units.
Most manufacturers will not honor warranties
on equipment hooked up this way as this
constitutes ‘misuse.’
5.3 CONNECTING COMPONENTS TO THE SSP-75
SYSTEM SETUP STRATEGY
Before you attempt to connect source components
to your SSP-75, take some time to think of the
most convenient ways to enjoy your system.
Remember that the SSP-75 is extraordinarily flexible
and will allow you to easily configure your system
so that the whole family, even the ‘technologically
challenged,’ can use it instinctively.
The information in this Section will help you
think through your system configuration.
However, before you read it, ask yourself
the following questions:
1. What kind of audio outputs do I have on my
source components and which ones do I want to
connect to my SSP-75?
For example, you may ask yourself ‘Does my CD
player have a coaxial digital output in addition to
the analog outputs? Should I use the digital output
and let the SSP-75 handle D/A conversion or use
the D/A converters already in the CD player?’
2. What kind of Video connections will I
use – Component, Composite or S-Video?
Although composite is by far the most popular,
S-Video offers performance advantages provided
that all of your video components, including your
monitor, offer S-Video connectors and will be
placed reasonably close together.
After you’ve begun to answer these questions,
the following information will help you pinpoint
specific issues.
5.3.1 AUDIO CONSIDERATIONS
5.3.1.1 TYPES OF AUDIO INPUTS
As you noticed while reviewing the rear panel
diagram and associated notes in Section 1, the
SSP-75 has twelve analog audio inputs, six for
audio-only components and six for audio/video
components. There are also seven digital inputs,
of which four are Co-axial, two are Toslink and
one is AES/EBU. There is also a special input for the
optional external RF demodulator for use with Laser
Disc Players (necessary if you will be playing AC3
encoded Laser Discs).
5.3.1.2 PROGRAMMABLE CHARACTERISTICS
All analog inputs include sensitivity adjustments to
avoid overloading and to equalize overall sound
levels as you switch from input to input. Section
6.4 provides more details.
All digital inputs include sensitivity adjustments
which make it possible to set output levels from
each SOURCE to the same relative Sound Pressure
Level (SPL).
Each SOURCE may be programmed for a particular
playback mode (Cinema, Stereo, Party, etc.).
5.3.1.3 INPUT ALLOCATION
For example, you would use AUDIO 6 to connect
an FM Tuner with balanced (XLR) analog outputs
because AUDIO 6 has XLR analog inputs only.
Remember that the Digital inputs may be your
primary choice, as then you can use the High End
internal DACs of the SSP-75. You might be required
to use a TOSlink input for connecting the digital
audio output of your satellite receiver, and you
might use the AES/EBU input to connect a Classé
CD transport.
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