Classe Audio CP-500 - Manual (Page 10)

10
Special Design Features
flexible graphical
user interface
Th e LCD touchscreen on the front panel of your new component supports an
extremely fl exible and versatile graphical user interface (GUI) while maintaining
a clean, uncluttered appearance. Th
e CP-500 provides a range of controls
that might otherwise require dozens of buttons and knobs on the front panel.
Despite this power and fl exibility, it remains simple to operate in day-to-day use.
In fact, in some ways it is even simpler to operate than a more conventional
design might be. For example, if you are not using one or more of the inputs
on your CP-500, you can delete the unnecessary buttons from the operational
menu. Doing so prevents anyone from trying to select a non-existent source
component, with the resulting confusion stemming from the lack of any sound.
(Of course, you can easily restore the button if you subsequently add another source
component and need that input.)
customizable
volume control
Th e volume control on your new Classé preamplifi er is controlled by
sophisticated software that allows you to fi ne-tune its response to suit your
preferences.
Ideally, a volume control would allow you to reach the volume you desire
quickly, and would also provide extremely fi ne control once you are close to the
“perfect” volume. Of course, these characteristics are in confl ict with each other:
one requires the volume to change by quite a lot for a given amount of turning
of the knob, while the other requires small, incremental changes for the same
turn of the knob.
Th e volume control system on your CP-500 solves this problem by responding
diff erently based on the specifi c circumstances (e.g. how quickly you are turning
the knob and where in the volume range you are). After extensive testing, we
feel we have created factory default settings that most people will fi nd intuitive
and a real pleasure to use. However, if you feel you would like to fi ne-tune its
performance further in order to suit your particular preference, you may easily
do so.
highly refined
circuit design
All Classé analog amplifi cation stages are based on circuits that have been
extensively optimized over many years of continuous development.
By starting with excellent circuit designs and working with them over the years,
we are able to discover the many small refi nements that add up to superlative
performance, in a variety of applications. Altering a voltage here, or using a
slightly diff erent part there, may make all the diff erence between solid and
absolutely outstanding performance.
Th is level of refi nement only comes with a great deal of experience, and is not
available to those who fl it from one trendy notion to the next. It accounts
in no small measure for both the consistency of sonic performance among
Classé products (as they are all based on similar analog gain stages), and for the
consistently excellent reviews these products receive from owners and reviewers
alike.