Owner’s Manual CP-800 Stereo Preamp/Processor
NOTICE All of us at Classé take extreme care to ensure that your purchase will remain a prized investment. We are proud to inform you that all Classé components have been officially approved for the European Community (CE) mark. This means that your Classé product was subjected to the most rigorous manufacturing and safety tests in the world. The CE mark certifies that your purchase meets or exceeds all European Community requirements for manufacturing consistency and consumer safety.
Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3. Heed all warnings. 4. Follow all instructions. 5. Do not use this apparatus near water. 6. Clean only with dry cloth. 7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. 8. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9.
Contents 4 Introduction......................................................................................................6 Exceptional Design Features.............................................................................7 versatile connectivity..................................................................................7 superior performance.................................................................................7 clean, dedicated power..............................................
hardware setup ................................................................................. 36 using CAN-Bus........................................................................................ 37 CAN-Bus shared features ............................................................... 38 configuration........................................................................................... 38 operate....................................................................................................
Introduction Welcome to the Classé family! Congratulations on your purchase of the Classé CP-800, a next-generation stereo preamp/processor with reference-quality performance. We are sure that you will enjoy it for many years to come. Classé values its relationships with our customers and intend on supplying the highest level of support along with our product.
Exceptional Design Features The CP-800 is a next-generation stereo preamp/processor, designed for music lovers who demand the ultimate in sonic performance from their audio system. Its connectivity and processing power accommodate the ever increasing array of music sources, allowing them to be accessed and enjoyed without compromise. versatile connectivity The CP-800 is a stereo preamp/processor with both balanced and single-ended connections for all channels.
Unpacking and Placement We have taken all precautions, and made every effort to make the CP-800 simple and straightforward to install and use. Still, we recommend that you take a few minutes to review this manual. Even if you are having the preamp/ processor professionally installed, you will want to know how to efficiently operate it to its potential. The CP-800 menu system includes features that provide you with a great deal of fine-tuning.
Important! Obey all placement considerations. Not obeying the placement considerations may result in damage that is not covered under the warranty. warm-up/break-in period Your new Classé preamp/processor delivers outstanding performance immediately. However, you can expect to hear subtle improvements as it reaches normal operating temperatures and breaks-in. In our experience, you can expect the greatest changes within the first 72 hours.
1 2 3 4 MENU 5 6 7 8 MUTE CP-800 Front Panel The front panel of the CP-800 is shown above. The numbers in the drawing refer to the descriptions that follow. 1 Standby/On Button and Status Indicator LED Pressing the Standby button puts the CP-800 into standby mode – a low-power state which leaves the preamp/processor and outputs inactive but still allows the unit to respond to system commands via any of the supported control protocols (IR input, CAN-Bus or RS-232).
4 Mute Control The Mute button reduces the CP-800 volume by a pre-determined amount. Pressing it a second time restores the volume to its previous level. This behavior can be easily customized for very specific user requirements. (See the section on Volume Setup for more information.) NOTE: If you increase the volume using either the front panel volume knob or the remote control while Mute is engaged, the mute control disengages, and audio adjustments are executed starting from the muted level.
8 Volume Control Knob The large rotary knob on the right side of the front panel controls the system volume level. It is also used for adjustments such as balance and input offset. The volume knob increases and decreases volume in precise 0.5 dB increments throughout most of the volume range. At extremely low volume, the step size is increased somewhat to facilitate moving between extremely low and normal listening levels. The volume range is from -93 dB to +14.0 dB.
5 14 1 2 6 3 7 4 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TOT HE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1)T HIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE,A ND (2)T HIS DEVICE MUSTA CCEPTA NY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCETH AT MAYC AUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION.
4 Digital Audio Inputs - Optical The CP-800 supports four digital audio inputs, with optical TOSlink connectors labeled OPT1 to OPT4. These inputs accept PCM data streams up to 24-bits long and up to 192 kHz sampling frequency. We recommend using cables that are optimized for digital audio signal transfer. Your Classé dealer can help you with proper cable selections. TM NOTE: The bandwidth limits of TOSlink™ components are very much strained at a 192 kHz sampling frequency.
8 IR Output Use the IR output to pass IR commands from an external IR transmitter through the CP-800 to another component, when necessary. The output uses a mono mini-jack (3.5mm phono) with the same properties as the diagram in the previous section. 9 Trigger Outputs The CP-800 supports two trigger outputs, with mono mini-jacks (3.5mm phono) labeled OUT1 and OUT2. Each trigger outputs a 12V DC signal at 100 mA and each can be controlled individually.
NOTE: The Balanced (XLR) Output pin assignments adhere to the AES (Audio Engineering Society) “Pin 2 = hot” standard. The XLR male outputs carry the following pin assignments: Pin 1: Signal ground Pin 2: Signal + (non-inverting) Pin 3: Signal – (inverting) Connector ground lug: chassis ground Refer to the operating manuals of your balanced-input power amplifiers to verify that the pin assignments of their input connectors adhere to this standard (Classé power amplifiers are compliant).
The Remote Control 1 2 Your CP-800 Stereo Preamp/Processor includes a versatile remote control for both the Preamp/Processor itself and several aspects of the rest of a Classé-based system. The buttons are arranged in logical groups according to their functions. The remote control of the CP-800 is shown on the left. The numbers in the drawing refer to the descriptions that follow.
5 Navigation & Menu Buttons The remote control contains the navigation buttons and the menu access buttons. This array of buttons is used for navigating the menu system on the CP-800 as well as providing basic transport controls to USB-connected sources. Each of the buttons performs the following function(s): • Menu accesses the main screen for the menu system, in the same fashion as the front panel Menu button. • Home returns the touchscreen display to the Home page.
Initial Setup Your CP-800 Stereo Preamp/Processor is delivered with default factory settings to facilitate initial setup. But we highly recommend that you work with your Classé dealer for the final setup of the preamp/processor. Your dealer’s knowledge and experience with Classé products will ensure that your audio system is optimized for your listening space. However, if you can’t wait to get started, this section is designed to assist you in setting up and becoming familiar with the CP-800 hardware.
Make sure you keep a detailed record of the rear panel connectors that you used while connecting the source components! You’ll need to know what connector(s) each source is attached to when you enter the setup menus. An Installation Worksheet is included at the end of this manual to assist you. NOTE: In the CP-800 default settings, fifteen rear panel inputs are associated with corresponding source selections within the Source Setup menu.
When connecting a cable, make sure the cable has a good connection and is firmly attached to the rear panel connectors on both the amplifier and the CP-800. The CP-800 also provides two Auxiliary analog audio outputs. See the section on Configuration Setup for more details about the Auxiliary outputs. If used, connect the AUX output(s) to its corresponding amplifier(s) or subwoofer. Step 5 Important! Connect the loudspeakers to the amplifiers.
Using the CP-800 The CP-800’s versatile touchscreen LCD supports your day-to-day operations and provides access to a flexible menu system for controls and setup functions that aren’t accessed as often. This section of the owner’s manual outlines the use of the touchscreen in routine operation of the system. When you bring the CP-800 out of Standby mode, the touchscreen displays the Home page of the menu system, as shown below.
Touch any source button on the touchscreen to select it as the current source. The selected source button is shaded. If the source you want to choose is not on this screen (and you have more than nine source buttons enabled), press the button for the next page of sources. Or, press the button to return to the previous page. The CP-800 comes from the factory with fifteen source buttons labeled and enabled. To change the default settings and labels or to disable unused buttons, see the Menu System.
The Menu System The comprehensive menu system provides setup and configuration controls for the CP-800. These installation-specific features let you customize how the CP800 works within the context of your particular system. Pressing the Menu button on the front panel or remote control opens the main Menu page, which is divided into six sections as shown below.
From the System Setup menu, you can: • • • • • • • • • tailor your inputs to your particular source components configure the system to take best advantage of your loudspeakers tailor the display to your preferences set volume control parameters enable and setup the Parametric EQ setup Tone Control parameters teach IR commands choose Remote F key functions assign DC triggers Source Setup Each of the 18 source buttons supported by your CP-800 can be customized in several ways to enhance system performance
Source Name The Source Name button provides a way to customize the names of the sources as displayed on the source selection screen(s). For example, if you have an outboard phono stage plugged into the Line 1 analog inputs, you might want to rename the source button Phono to make it easier to remember. To change source names, use the keyboard on the touchscreen.
Configuration Setup The Configuration Setup page allows you to define up to six different speaker configurations. Touch the button for the specific configuration you want to set up to open its configuration setup menu. The page contains buttons for naming the configuration and enabling balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) outputs for Main, Aux and Subwoofer channels. Choosing a subwoofer output causes a Bass Management button to appear. The same menu is used to set up each configuration.
Auxiliary Channels The CP-800 has two auxiliary channels that can be utilized for bi-amping the L&R speakers. Alternatively, Aux 1 may be used in conjunction with the Sub output to provide a second mono subwoofer or stereo subwoofer configuration. If either the single-ended or balanced Aux channel outputs are enabled and no more than one subwoofer is being used, then the aux channels are considered to be active in bi-amp mode. Technically, this is called power biamping.
Timeout If you prefer listening to music in a dimly-lit or darkened room, you may find even the low brightness setting of the display somewhat distracting. You can essentially turn off the touchscreen by reducing the timeout value of the backlighting so as to turn it off entirely after a period of inactivity that you may select. In this context, activity refers to any use of the user interface. This includes hard buttons, the touchscreen, and the remote control.
Max Volume The Max Volume page allows you to establish a maximum volume setting for your system. This scale runs from -93.0 to +14.0, with +14.0 dB indicating that you do not want any artificial limit placed on the maximum gain your CP-800 can provide. This setting is interactive. It is easiest to play the system at increasing levels until you reach the volume which you want to use as the maximum for the system. Using the volume knob, enter that value on the Max Volume page.
Mute Setup The Mute Setup page allows you to choose how the Mute button functions. The options for mute control are: • specific - allows you to select the exact value to which the volume is attenuated. If the current volume is already below that level when muting is engaged, the volume remains unchanged. The factory default is - - -, which is fully muted. • dampening - reduces the current listening level by a specified amount (like -25.0 dB).
Tone Control Setup The tone control may be configured as conventional bass and treble controls or used as what is sometimes called a tilt control. In either configuration the maximum boost and cut is 6.0 dB. The default setting configures the tone controls as a tilt control with low- and high-frequency inflection points at 200 Hz and 2000 Hz respectively. These values are user adjustable, allowing customization of the frequency ranges manipulated by the tilt control.
Remote Fkeys The remote control supplied with the CP-800 has eight function keys (Fkeys), each of which can give you instant access to specific system functions. For example, if you want direct access to particular sources or configurations, you may want to consider programming some of the Fkeys to directly access them. By assigning them as Fkey functions, you do not need to use the arrow keys to scroll through the active sources or configurations looking for them.
DC Triggers The CP-800 has two available trigger controls. Each may be programmed using normal 12 V or “inverse logic” (0 V) settings. The ability to change the way the trigger operates can solve installation-specific problems that otherwise require external devices that add to both the cost and complexity of your system. The triggers can be associated with the Standby mode, a specific source or a configuration. To use the Inverse Logic option, simply check the Inverse Logic box on the Trigger Setup page.
Balance To adjust the L/R Balance, when on the Balance page, use the volume knob or the volume up/down keys of the remote control. Balance is adjusted in 0.5 dB increments by alternately boosting and cutting 0.5 dB from each channel. In this way, the overall level stays roughly the same as the balance shifts. The Balance control works by making adjustments with the master volume control, so no additional circuitry enters the signal path when balance adjustments are made.
CAN-Bus Classé’s Controller Area Network, or CAN-Bus, opens the way to a new level of interaction between our CAN-Bus-equipped amplifiers, preamps, processors and source components. When the CP-800 is connected with CANBus, the different elements of a CAN-Bus-connected system are in constant communication, creating a “global” network that delivers system wide status information and shared operational features, all through the touchscreen display.
3 CAN-Bus Terminator A CAN-Bus Terminator will be required. It is inserted into the CAN-Bus OUT connector of the last component in the CAN-Bus daisy chain. One is included in the box with your CP-800. They are also available free of charge from your nearest Classé Customer Support Center http://www.Classeaudio.com/support/service.htm The diagram below illustrates how to connect the CAN-Bus hardware. Any combination of models in any order. NOTE: Daisy chain must be terminated with CAN-Bus Terminator.
CAN-Bus shared features The following CAN-Bus features are shared by all models. configuration Selecting configuration will present the CAN-Bus configuration screen allowing access to name, global brightness, and global standby features.. • name enables you to set the name that this component will be listed under in the CAN-Bus devices screen. The name will appear next to the unit model and serial number, and facilitate the identification of units in large systems.
PlayLink is automatically active after a software update, and the PlayLink icon will only appear on the CAN-Bus configuration screen of a Delta series disc player. PlayLink can only select a single source per preamp/SSP per disc player. It is therefore not designed for users who regularly play both CDs and DVDs through different source buttons from a single disc player.
Troubleshooting Always refer any service problems to your Classé dealer. However, if you run into a problem, we recommend referring to this section first as sometimes an error is not a malfunctioning product, but simply an oversight in the proper setup of the component. This section provides suggested solutions to potential problems. If none of these solutions work, please consult your Classé dealer for assistance. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the CP-800.
3 One speaker or subwoofer seems not to be playing. P If the problem occurs with all inputs, check the interconnecting cables between the preamp and the power amp. Also check the speaker wires for secure connections. P Check the balance control setting by pressing MENU on the front panel, and then verify the balance control setting is not turning one channel off or reducing it’s output. P If the problem occurs for a subwoofer, make sure it is active on the configuration assigned to this source button.
Care & Maintenance To remove dust from the cabinet of your CP-800, use a feather duster or a lintfree soft cloth. To remove dirt and fingerprints, we recommend isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth. Dampen the cloth with alcohol first and then lightly clean the surface of the CP800 with the cloth. Do not use excessive amounts of alcohol that might drip off the cloth and into the Surround Sound Processor. Caution! 42 Power down and remove the AC power cord from the CP-800 before performing maintenance.
Specifications All specifications are accurate at the time of printing. Classé reserves the right to make improvements without notice. n Frequency response 8 Hz - 200 kHz < 1 dB, stereo analog bypass 8 Hz - 20kHz < 0.5 dB, all other sources n Channel Matching (Left to Right) better than 0.05 dB n Distortion (THD+noise) 0.0005%, digital source/bypassed analog source .002%, processed analog source n Maximum input level (single-ended) 2 Vrms (DSP), 4.
Continued Made for: n iPod touch (4th generation) n iPod touch (3rd generation) n iPod touch (2nd generation) n iPod touch (1st generation) n iPod classic Made for: n iPhone 4 n iPhone 3GS n n n n n n n iPod nano (6th generation) iPod nano (5th generation) iPod nano (4th generation) iPod nano (3rd generation) iPod nano (2nd generation) iPhone 3G iPhone Made for iPad Classé and the Classé logo are trademarks of Classé Audio Inc. of Lachine, Canada. All rights reserved.
Dimensions 45
Installation Worksheet Source:.______________________________________________________________ Audio Connector:______________________________________________________ Input:_______________________________________________________________ Source:.______________________________________________________________ Audio Connector:______________________________________________________ Input:_______________________________________________________________ Source:.
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