McIntosh C-36 Owners manual

C36

AUDIO CONTROL

CENTER

C36

AUDIO CONTROL

CENTER

IMPORTANT

SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS

THESE

INSTRUCTIONS

ARE TO PROTECT

YOU AND THE

MclNTOSH

INSTRUMENT.

BE SURE TO

FAMILIARIZE

YOURSELF

WITH THEM

Copyright 1992 © by

Mclntosh Laboratory Inc.

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

STRUMENT

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 owner's
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.

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

14. 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.

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

16. Grounding or Polarization - Do not defeat the inherent design features of the polarized plug. Non­polarized line cord adaptors will defeat the safety provided by the polarized AC plug.

17. CAUTION: TO

WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN

BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE.

ATTENTION:

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

SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN

LAISSER AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT.

TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

PREVENT

POUR

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.

RISK

OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE

ELECTRICAL

PREVENIR LES

CAUTION: TO

REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

SHOCK

CHOCS

PREVENT

DO NOT USE

ELECTRIQUES PAS UTILISER CETTE

THE

RISK

THIS

OF

ELECTRIC

(POLARIZED)

SHOCK, DO NOT

THIS

PLUG

IN-

WARNING: 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.

2

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

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.

SERVICE CONTRACT 4

INTRODUCTION 5

INSTALLATION 5, 6, 7
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS 8,9
HOW TO MAKE CONNECTIONS ON THE REAR PANEL 9, 10, 11
SPECIFICATIONS 12
PERFORMANCE CHARTS 13
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION 14, 15
BLOCK DIAGRAMS 16, 17, 18

Purchase Date

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

3

MclNTOSH

THREE YEAR

SERVICE

CONTRACT

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF 3 YEARS OF CONTRACT SERVICE. . .

FILL IN THE APPLICATION NOW.

Your C36 Audio Control Center will give you many years of satisfactory performance. If you
have any questions, please contact,

Mclntosh Laboratory Inc.

2 Chambers Street

Binghamton, New York 13903-2699
Phone: [phone]

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

4

Mclntosh has earned world renown for its technical contributions to improved sound

reproduction. When you bought Mclntosh, you bought not only high technology, but also
technological integrity proven by time. The Mclntosh C36 Audio Control Center is the newest
evidence of Mclntosh engineering excellence.

Mclntosh audio products have always been designed for the best sound and superior

reliability. Dedication to achieving these goals since 1949 has earned Mclntosh the reputa­tion for creating the finest quality products in the stereo industry. The Mclntosh "Classic"

design has also been recognized as the most outstanding in the industry.

Mclntosh products are designed to be maximum user friendly so anyone can easily enjoy

using them. Another Mclntosh design policy is to provide products that are easy to maintain.

The C36 Audio Control Center is simple, yet elegant. There are many useful features to

enhance your listening enjoyment.

There are nine pairs of high level inputs to accommodate the traditional program sources
as well as the most recent new sources. These include CD players, audio signals from laser
disc players and audio from video recorders. A low level input is also provided for a record
player with a magnetic phono cartridge.

DIGITAL LOGIC integrated circuits drive ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHES on all inputs

and operating functions for the most reliable, lowest distortion switching available today.

Separate Record and Listen circuits allow for recording from one source while listening

to another. A continuously variable Active Loudness control allows loudness compensation

to be selected for any setting of the volume control. The Loudness control circuit elements
are removed from the signal path when the control is in the flat or fully counterclockwise
position.

Bass and Treble tone controls provide 12dB of boost or cut. At the center or detent posi-

tion of the tone controls, all tone control circuits are removed from the signal path.

Two Signal Processor loops are provided, one for RECORD signals and one for LISTEN
signals. Power supply voltage regulator circuits maintain stable operation even though the

AC power line may vary. A double shielded power transformer completely isolates it from

the audio circuits.

Front panel push buttons control two switched outputs as well as two pairs of speakers

when the optional SCR3 switching relay is added.

INTRODUCTION

LOCATION

The C36 may be installed in a matching Mclntosh cabinet, or custom installed in furniture
of your choice. Always provide adequate ventilation for your Audio Control Center, even though
it generates little heat. Do not install the unit directly above heat generating components
such as high powered amplifiers. Allow at least 1 1/2 inches (3.8cm) space above the
preamplifier so cooling air flow is not obstructed. The recommended minimum space for in­stallation is 18 1/2 inches (47cm) wide. 6 inches (15.3cm) high and 15 1/2 inches (40cm)
deep, including clearance for connectors. Allow 1 1/2 inches (3.8cm) in front of the moun-

ting panel for knob clearance. The trouble free life of any electronic instrument is greatly

extended by providing sufficient ventilation. This prevents the build-up of internal temperatures

that can cause deterioration of circuit components.

INSTALLATION

5

INSTALLATION

MclNTOSH PANLOC MOUNTING SYSTEM

The PANLOC system of installing equipment is a product of Mclntosh research. Two steel
PANLOC mounting shelves are attached to the front panel at each side of the panel cutout,
using the screws and brackets provided. The C36 has runners on the bottom of its chassis,
allowing it to slide into the shelves. When the unit has been positioned fully into the cabinet
and its front panel rests against the cabinet panel, it can be locked into position. Turn each
PANLOC button one-quarter turn clockwise to lock. Turn counterclockwise to unlock the unit
so it can be removed from the cabinet.

UNPACKING

Open the carton and remove the PANLOC shelves, the hardware package and the mount­ing template. Lift the C36 up off the shipping pallet and remove the plastic bag. The C36
is now ready for shelf or table top installation.

If the C36 is to be installed in a Mclntosh cabinet or custom installation, place it carefully

upside-down on a flat surface and unscrew the four plastic feet.
INSTALLING IN A MclNTOSH CABINET

Install the PANLOC shelves to the front side of the two brackets attached to the left and
right inside edges of the cabinet. Use the four 6/32 by 1-1/4 inch (32.8mm) fillister head screws
included in the hardware package.

Guide the C36 AC power cord through the front panel opening, to the back of the back
of the cabinet. Slide the unit into the opening, making sure the rails on the bottom of each
side of the amplifier chassis engage the tracks on the PANLOC shelves. Slide the unit com­pletely into the cabinet until the back edge of its front panel is pressing gently against the
front of the cabinet panel. Turn the PANLOC buttons approximately one quarter turn clockwise
to lock the unit in the cabinet. Turn the PANLOC buttons one quarter turn counterclockwise
to unlock the unit so it can be removed from the cabinet.

CUSTOM INSTALLATION

1. MARK THE CABINET FRONT PANEL
Tape the plastic mounting template to the cabinet panel in the position where the unit is

to be mounted. The broken lines that represent the outline of the rectangular cutout also repre­sent the outside dimensions of the C36 chassis. Make sure these lines clear any shelves,
partitions or any other equipment mounted in the same cabinet. 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 a ruler or straightedge.

6