McIntosh C-34-V Owners manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE TO

PROTECT YOU AND THE MCINTOSH
INSTRUMENT. BE SURE TO
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THEM.

1. Read all instructions - Read the safety and
operating instructions before operating the

instrument.

2. Retain Instructions - Retain the safety and
operating instructions for future reference.

3. Heed warnings - Adhere to warnings and
operating instructions.

4. Follow Instructions - Follow all operating and use

instructions.

WARNING: TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR
ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
INSTRUMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

5. Power Sources - Connect the power supply only to
the type described in the operating instructions or

as marked on the unit.

6. Power-Cord Protection - Route power-supply 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.

7. Ventilation - Locate the instrument for proper
ventilation. For example, the instrument 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.

8. Heat - Locate the instrument away from heat

sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other appliance (including amplifiers) that produce
heat.

9. Wall or Cabinet Mounting - Mount the instrument

in a wall or cabinet only as described in the
owners manual.

10. Water and Moisture - Do not use the instrument

near water - for example, near a bathtub,
washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet

basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.

11. Cleaning - Clean the instrument by dusting with a

dry cloth. Clean the panel with a cloth moistened

with a window cleaner.

12. Object and Liquid Entry - Do not permit objects to

fall and liquids to spill into the instrument through
enclosure openings.

SERVICE ENTRANCE
EQUIPMENT

POWER SERVICE
GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM
(reg. internal metal water pipe)

BONDING
JUMPER

OPTIONAL ANTENNA
GROUNDING ELECTRODE
DRIVEN 8 FEET(2.44m)
INTO THE EARTH IF
REQUIRED BY
LOCAL CODES SEE
NEC SECTION 810-11

13. Power Lines - Locate any outdoor antenna away
from power lines.

14. Outdoor Antenna Grounding - If an outdoor
antenna is connected to the antenna terminal, be
sure the antenna system is grounded to provide
some protection against voltage surges and built
up static charge.

In the U.S.A., section 810 of the National Electrical

Code, ANSl/NFPA No. 70-1987, provides

information on the proper ground for the mast
and supporting structure, ground for the lead-in
wire to an antenna discharge unit, and size of
ground conductors, location of antenna-discharge

unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and

requirements for the grounding electrode.
For ground wire:
a) Use No. 10 AWG (5.3 mm2) copper No. 8 AWG
(8.4 mm2) aluminum, No. 17 AWG (1.0 mm2)
copper-clad steel, bronze wire, or larger as ground
wire.

b) Secure antenna lead-in and ground wires to

house with stand-off insulators spaced from 4 feet
(1.22 meters) to 6 feet (1.83 meters) apart.
c) Mount antenna discharge unit as closely as
possible to where lead-in enters house.
d) Use jumper wire not smaller than No. 6 AWG
(13.3 mm2) copper or equivalent when separate
antenna grounding electrode is used.

STAND-OFF
INSULATORS

ANTENNA
LEAD IN WIRE

TO EXTERNAL ANTENNA
TERMINALS OF PRODUCT

15. Nonuse Periods - Unplug the power cord from the
AC power outlet when left unused for a long
period of time.

16. Damage Requiring Service - Service must be
performed by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord or the plug has been
damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled
into the instrument; or
C. The instrument has been exposed to rain; or
D. The instrument does not appear to operate
normally or exhibits a marked change in
performance; or
E. The instrument has been dropped, or the
enclosure damaged.

17. Servicing - Do not attempt to service beyond that
described in the operating instructions. All other
service should be referred to qualified service
personnel.

18. Grounding or Polarization - Do not defeat the

inherent design features of the polarized plug.
Non-polarized line cord adaptors will defeat the
safety provided by the polarized AC plug.

19. CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTICAL 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.

Note to CATV system installer:
This reminder is provided to call the CATV system
installer's attention to Article 820-22 of the NEC
that provides guidelines for proper grounding
and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground
shall be connected to the grounding system of
the building, as close to the point of cable entry
as practical.

ATTENTION: POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS
ELECTRIQUES PAS UTILISER CETTE FICHE

POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE
DE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE SORTIE DE

COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE

INSEREES A FOND
PARTIE A DECOUVERT.

SANS

EN

LAISSER

AUCUNE

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.

CAUTION: TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO
USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

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.

The serial number, purchase date, and Mclntosh
Laboratory Service Contract number are important to
you for possible insurance claim or future service.
Record this information here.

Serial Number

Purchase Date

Service Contract Number

Upon application, Mclntosh Laboratory
provides a Service Contract to the original
purchaser. Your Mclntosh Authorized
Service Agency can expedite repairs when
you provide the Service Contract with the
instrument for repair.

Copyright 1987 © by Mclntosh Laboratory Inc.

1

Contents

INTRODUCTION

SIMPLIFIED BLOCK

Your C 34V Audio/Video Control Center
will give you many years of satisfactory

4

performance. If you have any questions,
please contact:

DIAGRAM

INSTALLATION

HOW TO CONNECT

FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

USING THE

PUSHBUTTONS

PERFORMANCE LIMITS

PERFORMANCE CHARTS

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

BLOCK DIAGRAM

Take Advantage of 3 years
of Contract Service...

Fill in the Application NOW.

MCINTOSH THREE YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT

An application for A THREE YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT is included with this manual.

5

6, 7
8, 9, 10

11, 12, 13

14
15

16, 17
18, 19

20, 21

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Mclntosh Laboratory Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903-9990

Phone: [phone]

The terms of the contract are:

1. If the instrument covered by this contract
becomes defective, Mclntosh will provide all parts,
materials, and labor needed to return the
measured performance of the instrument to the

original performance limits free of any charge. The
service contract does not cover any shipping costs
to and from the authorized service agency or the
factory.

2. Any McIntosh authorized service agency will
repair all Mclntosh instruments at normal service
rates. To receive the free service under the terms
of the service contract, the service contract cer­tificate must accompany the instrument when
taken to the service agency.

3. Always have service done by a Mclntosh
authorized service agency. If the instrument is

modified or damaged as a result of unauthorized
repair the service contract will be cancelled.

Damage by improper use or mishandling is not
covered by the service contract.

4. The service contract is issued to you as the
original purchaser. To protect you from
misrepresentation this contract cannot be
transferred to a second owner.

5. Units in operation outside the United States and
Canada are not covered by the Mclntosh Factory
Service Contract, irrespective of the place of
purchase. Nor are units acquired outside the USA
and Canada, the purchasers of which should
consult with their dealer to ascertain what, if any,
service contract or warranty may be available

locally.

2

This manual will help you to install, operate, and
understand your Audio/Video Control Center. Read it
and become familiar with it to enjoy it to the fullest.

Mclntosh has earned world renown for its technolo­gical contributions for improved sound. When you
bought Mclntosh, you bought not only high technology,
you bought technological integrity proven by time. The
Mclntosh Audio/Video Control Center is the newest
evidence of Mclntosh technological integrity.

Music reproducing instruments that carry the
Mclntosh name have always been designed for tech­nological leadership and to maintain the Mclntosh repu­tation for best sound, for durability, and for long life.
Mclntosh has always earned the foremost reputation for
quality performance. Mclntosh has provided user orient­ed facilities and appearance and Mclntosh design
always provides for ease of maintenance or repair.
These fundamental elements are incorporated in the
Mclntosh Audio/Video Control Center, the easiest to
operate yet most complex ever.

Your Mclntosh C 34V Audio/Video Control Center,

above all others will deliver to you the best sound, the
most flexibility, and the greatest ease of use.

The Mclntosh C 34V is a superb quality, high perform­ance Audio control center. With the MVS-1 Video Selec­tor, the C 34V will provide both audio and video control.

The C 34V has many useful features to enhance your

listening and video enjoyment. They include:

1. A dual preamplifier system that provides separate

listen and record program control. You may listen to or

view one program while you are recording a different

program. With the Mclntosh MVS-1 Video Selector, the
C 34V will switch video and audio signals for viewing,
listening, and recording.

2. Two independent, seven source input selector
switches permit different audio (or video with the
MVS-1) programs to be selected.

3. A low noise, electronic input switching system adja­cent to the input jacks gives greater source to source
isolation, low audio distortion, and freedom from noise
and hum pick-up. The input selector electronic swit­ching signals control the video switching in the MVS-1.

4. The record monitor switch allows the recorded pro­gram to be heard through the MAIN output, and, with
the MVS-1, the recorded video signals to be seen on a
TV or monitor.

5. A five band program equalizer adjusts and im­proves the loudness contrast of the five most important
frequency ranges. Musical balance can be adjusted to
compensate for listener preferences.

6. A precision output volume control is electronically
trimmed during manufacture to maintain channel bal­ance accuracy to a fraction of a decibel (dB). This high
order of accuracy assures continuing program balance
as the volume is changed.

7. An active circuit loudness control, is electrically in­dependent of the volume control. Close conformity to
the Fletcher-Munson equal loudness curves can be at­tained, regardless of the volume control position.

8. High and low frequency filters reduce high fre­quency noise and low frequency rumble at a 12 dB per
octave roll off rate.

9. A compandor expands or compresses the dynamic

range of the program material. Compressed recordings

and broadcasts can be expanded to restore dynamic

range. Tapes can be compressed and replayed using ex­pansion to improve signal-to-noise ratio.

10. Front panel tape recorder jacks which allow sim­ple plug-in of an additional tape recorder without
disconnecting your regular system.

4 INTRODUCTION

SIMPLIFIED BLOCK DIAGRAM 5

PLAYER LOCATION

The C34V may be installed in a Mclntosh cabinet

or custom installed in furniture of your choice.

Always provide adequate ventilation. The trouble-free

life of an electronic instrument is greatly extended
by providing sufficient ventilation to prevent the
buildup of high internal temperatures that cause

deterioration. Allow enough clearance so that cool
air can enter at the bottom of the cabinet and be
vented from the top. The recommended minimum
space for installation is 15 5/8 inches
(39.7 cm) deep, 17 inches (43.2 cm) wide, and 8

inches (20.32 cm) high. Never place it above heat
generating components.

CUSTOM INSTALLATION

The PANLOC system of installing equipment
conveniently and securely, is a product of Mclntosh
research. The PANLOC buttons on the front panel

will lock the unit firmly in place when turned ap-

proximately one-quarter turn clockwise. A

one-quarter counterclockwise turn of the PANLOC

buttons unlocks the chassis from its mounting.

To install the instrument in a Mclntosh cabinet,

follow the instructions that are enclosed with the
cabinet. For any other type of installation follow

these instructions:

installed. The broken lines that represent the outline
of the rectangular cutout also represent the outside

dimensions of the chassis. Make sure these lines
clear shelves, partitions, or any equipment. With the
template in place, first mark the six A and B holes
and the four small holes that locate the corners of
the cutout. Then, join the four corner markings with
pencil lines, using the edge of the template as a
straightedge.

3. Drill Holes
Use a drill with a 3/16 inch (5 mm) bit held
perpendicular to the panel and drill the six A and B
holes. Then, using a drill bit slightly larger than the

tip of your saw blade, drill one hole at each of two
diagonally opposite corners. The holes should barely
touch the inside edge of the penciled outline. Before
taking the next step, make sure that the six A and B

holes have been drilled.

1. Unpack from Carton
Open the carton and remove the PANLOC brackets,
hardware package, and mounting template. Remove

the instrument from its plastic bag and place it

upside down on the shipping pallet. Unscrew the

four plastic feet from the bottom of the chassis.

2. Mark the Cabinet Panel
Tape the mounting template in position on the
cabinet panel where the instrument is to be

4. Saw the Panel Cutout
Saw carefully on the inside of the penciled lines.
First make the two long cuts and then the two short

cuts. After the rectangular opening has been cut out,

use a file to square the corners and smooth any

irregularities in the cut edges.

6 INSTALLATION