McIntosh C220 User Manual

Tube Preamplifier

C220

Owner’s Manual

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 product’s 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.

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 a 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. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. 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.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.

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.

11. Only use attachments/accessories speciﬁed by the manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table speciﬁed by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualiﬁed service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus 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 apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

15. 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.

16. To completely disconnect this equipment from the a.c. mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the a.c. receptacle.

17. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall remain readily operable.

18. Do not expose batteries to excessive heat such as sunshine, ﬁre or the like.

Thank You

Table of Contents

Your decision to own this McIntosh C220 Tube Preamplifier 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

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: 607-724-0549

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

Safety Instructions ............................................................

Thank You and Please Take a Moment .............................

Technical Assistance and Customer Service ....................3

Table of Contents .............................................................. 3

General Information .........................................................4

Connector and Cable Information ....................................4

Introduction .......................................................................

Performance Features .......................................................5

Dimensions .......................................................................6

Installation ........................................................................ 7

Connections:

Rear Panel Connections ....................................................

How to Connect the C220 ................................................. 9

Connection Diagram (Separate Sheet) ........ CD1 and CD2

Front Panel Features:

Front Panel Displays, Controls, Push-buttons and Jack . 10

Setup:

How to Operate the Setup Mode .....................................11

Default Settings ...............................................................11

Firmware Version .............................................................11

Balance .............................................................................11

Trim Level Adjustment ....................................................11

Re-Title Inputs ................................................................. 12

Display Brightness .......................................................... 12

Power Control Triggers ................................................... 13

Accessory Power Control ................................................ 13

Auto Tone ........................................................................ 13

Tube LED ........................................................................ 13

Remote Control Selection ............................................... 13

Remote Control:

Remote Control Push-buttons ......................................... 14

How to Operate by Remote Control ...............................15

Operation:

How to Operate the C220 ............................................... 16

Additional Information:

Specifications .................................................................. 18

Packing Instruction .........................................................19

2 3

General, Connector and Cable Information

Power Control

Ground

N/C

Data Signal

N/C

Data Ground

PIN 2 PIN 1

PIN 3

PIN 1

PIN 2

PIN 3

Trigger Control

Ground

N/C

General Information

1. The C220 uses Vacuum Tubes for amplifying the audio signal. The C220 is designed to have only qualified Service Personnel perform any part(s) replacement including all the vacuum tubes.

2. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the C220 Tube Preamplifier.

3. The Main AC Power going to the C220 and any other McIntosh Component(s) should not be applied until all the system components are connected together. Failure to do so could result in malfunctioning of some or all of the system’s normal operations. When the C220 and other McIntosh Components are in their Standby Power Off Mode, the Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside each component is active and communication is occurring between them.

4. Up to two Sensors can be wired in parallel for Remote Control of the C220 from other rooms.

5. 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.

6. A McIntosh Power Controller may be added to the C220 to provide AC Power Switching to components that do not have Power Control Connections. See your McIntosh Dealer for additional information.

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input and Output Connectors on the C220. Refer to the diagrams for connections: PIN 1: Shield/Ground PIN 2: + Output PIN 3: - Output

Power Control and Trigger Connectors

The C220 Power Control and Trigger Output Jacks send Power On/Off Signals when connected to McIntosh and other Components. A 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug is used for connection to the Power Control and Trigger Outputs on the C220.

Note: The Data, Power Control and

Trigger Connecting Cable is available from the McIntosh Parts Department:

Data, Power Control and Trigger Cable Part No. 170-202

Six foot, shielded 2 conductor, with 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plugs on each end.

Data Port Connectors

The C220 Data Out Ports send Remote Control Signals to McIntosh Source Components. A 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug is used for connection.

Introduction

The McIntosh C220 Tube Preamplifier is one of the finest Tube Preamplifiers ever created. The versatile Preamplifier provides connections for various input sources and outputs to drive multiple Power Amplifiers. The C220 reproduc tion is sonically transparent and absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The Sound of the Music Itself.”

Introduction and Performance Features

• Low Distortion

Distortion levels of all types are less than 0.08%. Music is amplified with total transparency and accuracy.

• Moving Magnet Phono Input

There is a Precision Phono Preamplifier for Moving Mag net Cartridges.

Performance Features

• Electromagentic Input Switching with Level Trim Adjustment and Title Reassignment

Digital Logic integrated circuits drive Electromagnetic Switches on all Inputs and operating functions for reliable, noiseless, distortion free switching. All eight Inputs on the C220 can be matched in level, so that there are no abrupt changes in volume levels between the different Inputs. There is also a Record Monitor function for checking the progress of a recording. Any of the eight Inputs can have their Input Title reassigned to match the sources in the system.

• Balanced Inputs The Balanced Inputs allow the connection of a source

component using long cable lengths without a loss in sound quality.

• Precision Tracking Volume Control

Volume levels are controlled by a new Multi-Stage Preci sion Digitally Controlled Attenuator System with a tracking accuracy of 0.1dB.

• Variable Rate Volume and Balance Control Selection

The C220 Tube Preamplifier’s Volume and Balance Con trol Circuitry provides an ideal rate of change with control rotation.

• Tone Control with Assignable Bypass

The Bass and Treble Control Circuit Elements can be re moved from the Signal Path of any selected input.

• Phono Tube Saver

When the Phono Input is selected to be Off in the Setup Mode, the power going to the Tubes performing the Phono Amplification is removed, thus extending the life of those two tubes.

• Output Switching

Front panel Output Push-buttons control two Switched Outputs that allow sending signals to two separate Power Amplifiers.

• Remote Control

The Remote Control provides control of the C220 operat ing functions and any McIntosh Source Components connected to it.

• External Sensor Input

There are provisions for connecting External Sensors, which allows for enjoyment of your McIntosh System from other rooms in your home via the Remote Control.

• Power Control Output and Trigger Assignment

A Power Control connection for convenient Turn-On of McIntosh Power Amplifiers, Source Components and Ac cessories is included. Three of the Power Control Ouputs may be assigned to activate when a given Input is selected.

• Special Power Supply

Fully regulated Power Supplies and a special R-Core Power Transformer ensure stable noise free operation even though the power line varies.

• Alphanumeric Fluorescent Display

The Multifunction Front Panel Display indicates the Source Selection, Volume and Balance Levels. Setup Mode Selections and Adjustments are also displayed. The display intensity is adjustable.

• Precision Parts

Only the finest precision 1% tolerance resistors are used throughout.

• Fiber Optic Solid State Front Panel Illumination

The even Illumination of the Front Panel is accomplished by the combination of custom designed Fiber Optic Light Diffusers and extra long life Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). The glass Front Panel ensures the pristine beauty of the C220 will be retained for many years.

Dimensions

17-1/2"

44.45cm

4-5/8"

11.75cm

15.24cm

14-1/2"

36.83cm

15-7/8"

40.32cm

3/16"

0.48cm

4-13/16"

12.22cm

11-1/2"

29.21cm

2.54cm

13-1/4"

33.65cm

17"

43.18cm

5/8"

1.59cm

Front View of the C220

Rear View of the C220

Side View of the C220

5-3/8"

13.69cm

13/16"

2.06cm

75 WATTS

T630maAL 250V

The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your C220. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C220 into cabinets.

Dimensions

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