C-42
C42 Audio Control Center
OWNERS
MANUAL
C42
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
Your decision to own this McIntosh C42 Audio Control
Center 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 Sales Corporation
661 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90247
Phone: 888-979-3737
Fax: 310-217-9288
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 Repair department.
For assistance on factory repair return procedure, contact
the McIntosh Repair Department at:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-3515
Fax: 607-723-1917
Table of Contents
Thank You.......................................................................... 2
Please Take a Moment ....................................................... 2
Technical Support .............................................................. 2
Customer Service............................................................... 2
Table of Contents............................................................... 2
Safety Instructions ............................................................. 3
Introduction ....................................................................... 4
Performance Features ........................................................ 4
Installation ......................................................................... 5
Rear Panel Connections and Switch .................................. 6
How to Connect the C42 ................................................... 7
Front Panel Controls, Displays, Push-Buttons,
and Switch ......................................................................... 8
How to Trim Input Volume Levels .................................... 9
How to Operate the C42 .................................................. 10
Remote Control Push-Buttons ......................................... 11
How to Operate by Remote Control ................................ 12
Specifications and Performance Chart ............................ 14
Packing Instruction .......................................................... 15
NOTES:
1. The following Connecting Cable is 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 plugs on each end.
2. For additional connection information, refer to the owners
manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the C42 Audio
Control Center.
3. There is a built-in turn on delay which will mute the outputs
for approximately two seconds when turned on.
4. dB is an abbreviation of the word decibel, which is a unit
measure of sound intensity.
5. 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.
6. Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input/Output
connectors on the C42: PIN 1: Shield or ground.
PIN 2: + input.
PIN 3: - input.
Copyright 1998 by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
WARNING SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT OPEN.
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 consti-
tute a risk of electric shock to persons
AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC NE PAS OUVRIR.
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.
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. 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.
.
Safety Instructions
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. This
will prevent damage to the product due to lightning or
power line surges.
8. Do not use attachments not recommended in this
owners manual as they may cause hazards.
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.
3
Safety Instructions cont,
Introduction and Performance Features
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.
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 fol-
lowing the operating instructions contained within
this owners manual. Adjust only those controls
that are covered by the operating instructions, as an
improper adjustment of other controls may result
in damage and will often require extensive work by
a qualified technician to restore the product to its
normal 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.
Introduction
The new McIntosh C42 Stereo Preamplifier offers a highly
refined combination of useful operating features with totally transparent electronic performance. For example you
can take advantage of the eight-band equalizer to achieve
the finest possible reproduction of digital source music as
well as valuable music from earlier recording technology.
Combine a C42 with a McIntosh Power Amplifier and you
will enjoy a stereo system of unparalleled performance.
Performance Features
· Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs/Outputs
Eight unbalanced inputs, and three unbalanced outputs are
provided. One balanced input, and three balanced outputs
are also included. The Aux input can be switched to accept
a moving magnet phono cartridge.
· Precision Tracking Volume Control and Display
A microprocessor logarithmic attenuator controls volume
levels with a tracking accuracy of 0.1dB. Levels change in
213 individual steps of 0.5dB. The front panel digital display indicates the preamplifier gain in dB or percentage of
available volume.
· Input Level Matching
Adjust the input volume levels of source components so
they match the tuner input level.
· Ultra Low Distortion
Distortion levels of all types are less than 0.002%. Music is
amplified with total transparency and accuracy.
· Full Featured Remote Control
Full Featured Remote Control is included that will allow
complete control of major front panel controls and
switches.
· Eight Band Program Equalizer
The equalizer provides 10dB of boost or cut at center frequencies of 20, 35, 70, 150, 300, 600, 1200 and 4000Hz.
When an equalizer control is in the center or flat position,
all equalizer circuit components are removed from the signal path.
· Two Signal Processor Loops
Separate front panel switched signal processor loops are
provided for the listen and record circuits.
4
Installation
The C42 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 C42. Cool
operation ensures the longest possible operating life for
any electronic instrument. Do not install the C42 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 C42 custom
installed
End Caps
5-3/8"
136.9mm
Installation
coolest possible operating temperature.
A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation. Allow
at least 2 inches (5.1cm) above the unit and 1 inch
(2.54cm) on each side of the control center, so that airflow
is not obstructed. Allow 21 inches (53.3cm) 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.
17-1/2"
444mm
7/32"
5.3mm
4-7/8"
123.8mm
1/4"
6mm
Panel Height
5-5/16"
134.9mm
17-1/16"
433.4mm
Outline of Front Panel
Edge of Cutout
(Front View)
Side View of the C42
custom installed
Bottom View of the C42
custom installed
Mounting Surface
Mounting Surface
Bottom of Cutout and Top
of Support Shelf Must
Coincide
(Side View)
Support Shelf
6"
3/16"
5.1mm
Outline of Unit
15"
Cut Out Center
for Ventilation
(Bottom View)
Support Shelf
Mounting Bracket at Both Sides of the Rear Panel.
Fasten with 6-32 x 3/8 Machine Screw and Washer to Chassis.
Fasten with 6 x 1/2 Wood Screw and Washer to Support Shelf
9"
5
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