McIntosh C200 User Manual
C200 Preamplifier/Controller
Owners
Manual
C200
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 FAX: 607-724-0549
The lightning flash with arrowhead,
within an equilateral triangle, is intended
to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within
the products enclosure that may be of
sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk
of electric shock to persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the
user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance.
WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF
FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO
NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE.
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
General:
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all 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. Unplug this equipment during lightning storms or
when unused for long periods of time.
8. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
To prevent the risk of electric shock, do not remove cover or
back. No user serviceable parts inside.
Installation:
9. The equipment shall be installed near the AC Socket
Outlet and the disconnect device shall be easily accessible.
10. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
11. Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators,
heat registers, stoves, or other equipment (including
amplifiers) that produce heat.
12. Do not use this equipment near water.
13. Do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing
and ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as
vases, are placed on the equipment.
14. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod,
bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the equipment.
When a cart is used, use caution when
moving the cart/equipment combination
to avoid injury from tip-over.
Connection:
15. Connect this equipment only to the type of AC power
source as marked on the unit.
16. Protect the power cord from being walked on or
pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the equipment.
17. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or
grounding-type plug.
2
A polarized plug has two blades with one wider
than the other. A grounding type plug has two
blades and a third grounding prong. The wide
blade or the third prong are provided for your
safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your
outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.
18. Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk
of fire or electric shock.
19. To completely disconnect this equipment from the AC
Mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the
AC receptacle.
Care of Equipment:
20. Clean only with a dry cloth.
21. Do not permit objects or liquids of any kind to be
pushed, spilled and/or fall into the equipment through
enclosure openings.
22. Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet
when left unused for a long period of time.
Safety Instructions
Thank You
Your decision to own this McIntosh C200 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.
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 spaces below have been provided for
you to record that information:
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:
Technical Assistance
Repair of Equipment:
23. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the equipment has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is
damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen
into the equipment, the equipment has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has
been dropped.
24. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other service should be referred to qualified service personnel.
25. 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.
26. 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.
If at any time you have questions about your McIntosh
product, contact your McIntosh dealer who is familiar with
your McIntosh equipment and any other brands that may
be part of your system. If you or your dealer wish additional help concerning a suspected problem, you can receive technical assistance for all McIntosh products at:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-1545
Fax: 607-723-3636
Customer Service
If it is determined that your McIntosh product is in need of
repair, you can return it to your dealer. You can also return
it to the McIntosh Laboratory Service Department. For assistance on factory repair return procedure, contact the
McIntosh Service Department at:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-3515
Fax: 607-723-1917
Copyright 2000 ã by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
3
Table of Contents
Safety Instructions ............................................................ 2
Thank You and Please Take a Moment ............................. 3
Technical Assistance and Customer Service .................... 3
Table of Contents and General Notes ............................... 4
Introduction ...................................................................... 5
Performance Features ....................................................... 5
Dimensions ....................................................................... 6
Installation ........................................................................ 8
Connections
C200C Rear Panel Connections ...................................... 10
C200P Rear Panel Switches and Connections ................. 11
How to Connect the C200 ............................................... 12
How to Connect the C200 with Passthru Mode .............. 14
Front Panel Features
C200P Front Panel Display and Connection ................... 16
C200C Front Panel Controls, Displays, Push-Buttons,
and Switches .................................................................... 17
Setup
How to Operate the Setup Mode ..................................... 18
Default Settings ............................................................... 18
Display Brightness ........................................................... 18
Text Display Options ....................................................... 18
Input Trim Level .............................................................. 19
Input Selection ................................................................. 19
Volume Control Rate-of-Change ..................................... 20
Balance Control Rate-of-Change .................................... 20
Passthru Mode ................................................................. 20
Remote Control Selection................................................ 21
Firmware Version ............................................................ 21
Operation
How to Operate the C200 ................................................ 22
Remote Control Push-buttons .......................................... 24
How to operate the Remote Control ................................ 25
Additional Information
Specifications .................................................................. 26
Packing Instruction .......................................................... 27
General Notes
1. The C200 consist of two separate chassis. The C200
Controller Chassis will be referred to as the C200C
throughout this Owners Manual. In a similar manner, the
C200 Preamplifier Chassis will be referred to as the C200P
throughout this Owners Manual.
2. For additional information on Audio Connections, refer to
the Owners Manual(s) for the component(s).
3. Connecting Cables and Connectors are available from the
McIntosh Parts Department:
Data and Power Control Cable Part No. 170-202
Six foot, shielded 2 conductor, with 1/8 inch stereo mini
phone plug on each end.
Controller to Preamplifier Cable Part No. 170-631
Six foot, DB25, shielded, straight through, 25 conductor
male-to-female cable.
4. The Main AC Power going to the C200C and any other
McIntosh Component(s) should not be applied until all the
system components are connected together. When the C200C
and other McIntosh Components are in their Standby Power
Off Mode, the Microprocessors Circuitry inside each
component is active and communication is occurring
between them. Failure to do so could result in
malfunctioning of some or all of the systems normal
operations.
5. Up to four sensors can be wired in parallel for Remote
Control of the C200 from other rooms.
6. Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs can be mixed.
For example, you may connect signal sources to Unbalanced
Inputs and send signals from the Balanced Outputs. You can
also use Balanced and Unbalanced outputs simultaneously,
connected to different power amplifiers.
7. A McIntosh Power Controller may be added to the C200 to
provide AC Power Switching to components that do not have
Power Control Connections. See your McIntosh Dealer for
additional information.
8. Sound Intensity is measured in units called Decibels and
dB is the abbreviation.
9. Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input and Output
Connectors on the C200P. Refer to the diagram for
connection:
PIN 1: Shield or ground
PIN 2: + input
PIN 3: - input
Pin 1Pin 2
Pin 3
4
Pin 2
Introduction
The McIntosh C200 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.
Introduction and Performance Features
· 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.
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 outputs and one balanced tape output are provided. Eight unbalanced inputs, three unbalanced outputs as well as listen
and record processor loops are included.
· Precision Tracking Volume Control
Volume levels are controlled by a new Multi-Stage Precision Digitally Controlled Attenuator System with a tracking accuracy of 0.1dB. Levels change in 213 individual
0.5dB steps.
· Variable Rate Volume and Balance Control Selection
The Volume and Balance Control Circuitry allows for user
selected rate-of-change from loud to quiet and from left to
right level adjustments.
· Alphanumeric Fluorescent Display
The Multifunction Front Panel Display indicates the Listen
and Record Source Selection, Volume and Balance Levels.
Setup Mode Selections and Adjustments are also displayed.
The display intensity is fully adjustable.
· Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Input
There is a special, separately shielded precision Phono
Preamplifier for low output Moving Coil Phono Cartridges,
that utilizes two step-up transformers which contain coils
wound with silver wire and double mu metal shielding.
There is also a Precision Phono Preamplifier for Moving
Magnet Cartridges.
· Multichannel Passthru Mode
The Automatic Passthru Mode allows the C200 to become
part of a Multichannel Sound System for DVD-Audio and
Home Theater. The Left and Right Channels of the C200
become the two front channels, simply by turning on the
Multichannel Processor.
· Full featured Remote Control
The C200 includes a Remote Control that allows remote
operation of the front panel controls and push-buttons.
· Optional External Sensor Input
There are provisions for connecting external sensors,
which allow for enjoying your McIntosh System from
other room(s) in your home via the remote control.
· Power Control Output
A Power Control connection for convenient turn-on of
McIntosh power amplifiers and accessories is included.
· Precision Volume Display
The front panel digital Volume Display indicates the
preamplifier gain in dB or percentage of available volume.
· Input Level Trim Adjustment
All eleven Inputs on the C200 can be matched in level, so
that there are no abrupt changes in volume levels between
the different inputs.
5
Dimensions
The following dimensions can assist in determining the
best location for the C200C Controller and C200P Preamplifier. There is additional information on the following
pages pertaining to installing the C200C and C200P into
cabinets.
Front View of the C200C
17-
1/2
44.45cm
12 -
1/4
31.12cm
17"
43.18cm
"
5-
3/8
"
13.69cm
6"
15.24cm
"
Rear View of the C200C
Side View of the C200C
5/8
"
1.59cm
13/16
2.06cm
4-
5/8
"
11.75cm
13 -
1/4
"
33.65cm
18-
3/8
"
46.67cm
17"
43.18cm
3/16
"
0.48cm
4-
13/16
12.22cm
"
"
1-
3/8
12-
1/2
31.75cm
"
"
3.49cm
6
Front View of the C200P
17-
1/2
44.45cm
12 -
1/4
31.12cm
Dimensions
"
5-
3/8
"
13.69cm
"
6"
15.24cm
Rear View of the C200P
Side View of the C200P
17"
43.18cm
13 -
1/4
33.65cm
18-
3/8
46.67cm
"
"
17"
43.18cm
4-
5/8
11.75cm
3/16
0.48cm
"
"
4-
13/16
"
12.22cm
13/16
2.06cm
"
1-
3/8
12-
1/2
31.75cm
"
"
3.49cm
7
Installation
The C200C and C200P can be placed upright on a table or
shelf, standing on its four feet.The four feet may be removed from the bottom of both units when it is custom installed as outlined below. The four feet together with the
mounting screws should be retained for possible future use
if the C200 Controller and Preamplifier are removed from
the custom installation and used free standing. They also
C200C Front Panel
Custom Cabinet Cutout
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 C200.
Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life
for any electronic instrument. Do not install the C200 directly above a heat generating component such as a high
17-
1/16
"
43.34cm
4-
7/8
"
12.38cm
C200C Side View
in Custom Cabinet
C200C Bottom View
in Custom Cabinet
Cabinet
Front
Panel
Support
Shelf
17/32
1.35cm
Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting
Cutout Opening for Ventilation
Chassis
1
"
2.54cm
Spacers
14"
"
Cutout Opening
for Ventilation
35.56cm
35.56cm
14"
15-
1/16
38.26cm
"
8
Installation
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
coolest possible operating temperature.
A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation. Allow
at least 2 inches (5.08cm) above the top, 2 inches (5.08cm)
C200P Front Panel
Custom Cabinet Cutout
below the bottom and 1 inch (2.54cm) on each side of the
Controller and Preamplifier, so that airflow is not obstructed. Allow 20 inches (50.8cm) depth behind the front
panel. Allow 1 inch (2.54cm) 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.
17-
1/16
"
43.34cm
4-
7/8
"
12.38cm
C200P Side View
in Custom Cabinet
C200P Bottom View
in Custom Cabinet
Cabinet
Front
Panel
Support
Shelf
17/32
1.35cm
Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting
Cutout Opening for Ventilation
Chassis
1
"
2.54cm
Spacers
14"
"
35.56cm
Cutout Opening
for Ventilation
14"
35.56cm
15-
1/16
38.26cm
"
9
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