McIntosh C-100 Owners manual
Preamplifier/Controller
OWNERS
MANUAL
C100
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 FAX: 607-724-0549
Thank You, Please Take A Moment,
Customer Service and Table of Contents
Thank You
For your decision to own this McIntosh C100 Preamplifier/
Controller ranks you at the very top among discriminating
music listeners. You now have The Best. The McIntosh
dedication to Quality, is assurance that you will receive
many years of musical enjoyment from this unit.
Please take a short time to read the information in this
manual. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all
the features and functions of your new McIntosh C100.
This will ensure that you receive all the performance benefits this equipment can offer you, and that it will become a
highly valued part of your home entertainment system.
Please Take A Moment
The serial number, purchase date and McIntosh dealer name
are important to you for possible insurance claim or future
service. The serial number is located on the rear panel of the
equipment. The spaces below have been provided for you to
record that information:
Serial Number:
Table of Contents
Thank You .......................................................................... 2
Please Take a Moment ....................................................... 2
Customer Service ............................................................... 2
Table of Contents ............................................................... 2
Safety Instructions ............................................................. 3
Introduction ........................................................................ 4
Performance Features ........................................................ 4
Installation ......................................................................... 5
C100C Rear Panel Connections ......................................... 6
How to Connect the C100C ............................................... 7
C100P Rear Panel Switches and Connections ................... 8
How to Connect the C100P with Balanced Connections ... 9
How to Connect the C100P with Unbalanced
Connections ...................................................................... 10
C100P Front Panel Display and Connection .................... 11
C100C Front Panel Controls, Displays, Push-Buttons,
and Switches .................................................................... 12
How to Trim Input Volume Levels ................................... 13
How to Operate the C100 ................................................ 14
HR-100 Push-Buttons ...................................................... 16
How to Operate by Remote Control ................................. 17
Specifications ................................................................... 18
Packing Instruction .......................................................... 19
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:
Customer Service
If at any time you have questions about your C100 Preamplifier/Controller, please contact:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-3512
FAX: 607-724-0549
Copyright 1998 ã by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
NOTES:
1. The C100 Preamplifier/Controller consist of two
separate chassis. The C100 Controller chassis will
be referred to as the C100C through out this
owners manual. In a similar manor the C100
Preamplifier chassis will be refereed to as the
C100P through out this owners manual.
2. dB is an abbreviation of the word decibel, which
is a unit measure of sound intensity.
3. Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs can
be mixed. For example, you may connect signal
sources to Unbalanced Inputs and feed signals out
from the Balanced Outputs. You can also use
Balanced and Unbalanced outputs simultaneously,
connected to different power amplifiers.
4. Due to regulations in certain countries, the C100C
may not include rear panel AC outlets.
2
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
Safety Instructions
8. Do not use attachments not recommended in this
owners manual as they may cause hazards.
PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
WARNING SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT OPEN.
AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC NE PAS OUVRIR.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
General:
1. Read all the safety and operating instructions, contained
in this owners manual, before operating this equipment.
2. Retain this owners manual for future reference about
safety and operating instructions.
3. Adhere to all warnings and operating instructions.
4. Follow all operating and use instructions.
5. Warning: To reduce risk of fire or electrical shock,
do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
This unit is capable of producing high sound pressure
levels. Continued exposure to high sound pressure
levels can cause permanent hearing impairment or
loss. User caution is advised and ear protection is
recommended when playing at high volumes.
6. Caution: to prevent electrical shock do not use this
(polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle or
other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to
prevent blade exposure.
Attention: pour pevenir les chocs elecriques pas
utiliser cette fiche polarisee avec un prolongateur, une
prise de courant ou un autre sortie de courant, sauf si
les lames peuvent etre inserees afond ans en laisser
aucune partie a decouvert.
7. For added protection for this product during a lightning
storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent
damage to the product due to lightning or power line
surges.
Installation:
9. Locate the equipment for proper ventilation. For example, the equipment should not be placed on a bed,
sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block ventilation
openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a
bookcase or cabinet, that may impede the flow of air
through the ventilation openings.
10. Locate the equipment away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliance (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
11. Mount the equipment in a wall or cabinet only as described in this owners manual
12. Do not use this equipment near water; for example,
near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in
a wet basement or near a swimming pool, etc.
13. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand,
tripod, bracket, or table. The equipment may fall, causing serious injury to a person, and serious damage to
the product.
Connection:
14. Connect this equipment only to the type of AC power
source as marked on the unit.
15. Route AC power cords so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against
them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the instrument.
16. Do not defeat the inherent design features of the polarized plug. Non-polarized line cord adapters will defeat
the safety provided by the polarized AC plug. If the
plug should fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug.
17. Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk
of fire or electric shock.
Care of Equipment:
18. Clean the instrument by dusting with a dry cloth. Unplug this equipment from the wall outlet and clean the
panel with a cloth moistened with a window cleaner. Do
not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
19. Do not permit objects of any kind to be pushed and/or
fall into the equipment through enclosure openings.
3
Safety Instructions cont,
Introduction and Performance Features
Never spill liquids into the equipment through enclosure
openings.
20. Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet when
left unused for a long period of time.
Repair of Equipment:
21. Unplug this equipment from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to a qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
A. The AC power cord or the plug has been damaged,
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into
the equipment,
C. The equipment has been exposed to rain or water,
D. The equipment does not operate normally by follow-
ing the operating instructions contained within this
owners manual. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions, as an im-
proper adjustment of other controls may result in
damage and will often require extensive work by a
qualified technician to restore the product to its nor-
mal operation,
E. The equipment has been dropped or damaged in any
way,
F. The equipment exhibits a distinct change in perfor-
mance - this indicates a need for service.
22. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other service should be referred to qualified service personnel.
23. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by
McIntosh or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
24. Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks
to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
Performance Features
· Dual Chassis
Dual-chassis design completely separates all power supply,
microprocessor and control circuits from the pure audio circuits for total noise isolation.
· Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs/Outputs
Three balanced high level inputs, three balanced main out-
puts and one balanced tape output. are provided.
balanced inputs, three unbalanced outputs as well as listen
and record processor loops are included.
Eight un-
· Precision Tracking Volume Control
Volume levels are controlled by a microprocessor controlled
logarithmic attenuator with a tracking accuracy of 0.1dB.
Levels change in 213 individual 0.5dB steps.
· Precision Volume Display
The front panel digital Volume display indicates the preamplifier gain in dB or percentage of available volume.
· Precision Parts
Only the finest precision 1% tolerance resistors and
polypropylene capacitors are used throughout.
· Ultra Low Distortion
Distortion levels of all types are less than 0.002%. Music is
amplified with total transparency and accuracy.
· Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Input
Separate shielded precision RIAA phono preamplifier for
low output moving coil phono cartridges, utilizes two
double mu metal shielded, silver wire, step-up transformers.
Precision RIAA phono preamplifier for moving magnet cartridges.
Introduction
The McIntosh C100 Preamplifier/Controller is without
question the finest audio preamplifier ever created. No design compromises were allowed in the quest for a preamplifier with absolute accuracy, total sonic purity and virtual
elimination of distortion and audible noise. For those who
have been searching for their Last Preamplifier, your
search is over.
4
· Full featured Remote Control
Full featured Remote Control is included that will allow
complete control of all front panel controls and switches.
· Power Control Output
A Power Control connection for convenient turn on of
McIntosh power amplifiers and accessories is included.
Installation
The C100 can be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its four feet. It also can be custom installed in a piece
of furniture or cabinet of your choice. The required panel
cutout, ventilation cutout and unit dimensions are shown.
Always provide adequate ventilation for your C100.
Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life
for any electronic instrument. Do not install the C100 directly above a heat generating component such as a high
powered amplifier. If all the components are installed in a
single cabinet, a quiet running ventilation fan can be a definite asset in maintaining all the system components at the
Front View of both the
C100C and C100P custom
installed
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Installation
coolest possible operating temperature.
A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation. Allow
at least 1-1/2 inches (3.8cm) above the unit so airflow is not
obstructed. Allow 17-1/2 inches (44.5cm) depth behind the
mounting panel, which includes clearance for connectors.
Allow 1-1/8 inches (2.9cm) in front of the mounting panel
for knob clearance. Be sure to cut out a ventilation hole in
the mounting shelf according to the dimensions in the drawing.
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5
C100C Rear Panel Connections
DATA PORTs send signals to
compatible source components
to allow you to control them
with HR100 remote control.
C100C Rear Panel Connections
SWITCHED AC outlets
turn on when the C100
turns on and are used to
supply AC power to accessory components.
AMPLIFIER POWER
CONTROL Outputs send
turn-on signal to a McIntosh Power Amplifier when
the C100C is turned on.
TO C100P Connector
accepts a DB25, 25
conductor cable that
connects all control
signals and power supply voltages from the
C100C to the C100P.
The EXT (external)
Sensor jack allows you
to connect a McIntosh
Keypad or IR sensor
for remote operation.
SUM DATA PORT
send remote signals
to a McIntosh RCT
Translator.
UNSWITCHED AC
outlet stays on at all
times when the C100
power cord is connected to a live AC
outlet.
Connect the C100C
power cord to a live AC
outlet. Refer to information on the back panel
of your C100C to determine the correct voltage
for your unit.
AMPLIFIER POWER CONTROL Outputs send turn-on
signal to a McIntosh Power
Amplifier when the C100C
Front Panel Spk/Amp 1 and/
or 2 is on.
6
Main Fuse
holder, refer to
infromation on
the back panel of
your C100C to
determine the
correct fuse size
and rating.
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