McIntosh C8 Owner's Manual

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: [phone] www.mcintoshlabs.com

C8

Tube Preamplier

Ow ner’s M a nu a l

The C8 Tube Preamplifier marries McIntosh’s long
tradition of uncompromising quality and leadership in
Vacuum Tube amplification with the latest cutting edge
innovations to bring you an unsurpassed luxury sonic
experience.

Thank you from all of us at
McIntosh

With the C8 Tube Preamplier, you have invested in a
precision instrument that will provide you with many
years of enjoyment. Please take a few moments to
familiarize yourself with the features and instructions
to get the maximum performance from your equipment.

If you need further technical assistance, please contact
your dealer who may be more familiar with your
particular setup including other brands. You can also
contact McIntosh with additional questions or in the
unlikely event of needing service.

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903

Technical Assistance: [phone]
Customer Service: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: mcintoshlabs.com

Make a Note

For future reference, you can jot down your serial
number and purchase information here. We can
identify your purchase from this information if the
occasion should arise.

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Dealer Name

Safety First

Important Safety Information is
supplied in a separate document
“Important Additional Operation
Information Guide”

Copyright 2020 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc

2

Table of Contents

Thank you from all of us at McIntosh ........................ 2

Make a Note ................................................................ 2

Safety First .................................................................. 2

Remove the Foam ....................................................... 4

Where to put it ............................................................ 6

The Front Panel ........................................................... 7

The Left Knob ..................................................7

The Right Knob ................................................ 7

Connections on the Back ............................................ 8

The Inputs ......................................................... 8

The Outputs ...................................................... 8

Making Connections ................................................... 8

Phono/Unbalanced Inputs ................................. 8

Balanced/XLR Input and Output ..................... 9

RS232 ................................................................ 9

Wired IR Input .................................................. 9

Connection Diagram ....................................... 10

DA2 Expansion Slot ........................................ 11

Power Control (Trigger) Outputs .................... 11

Data Out .......................................................... 11

Power On the C8 ....................................................... 12

Trim Functions and Settings ..................................... 12

Phono Trim Function ...................................... 12

Setup Settings ........................................................... 13

Firmware and Serial Number ......................... 13

Input Setup ...................................................... 13

Output 2 (SUB) ............................................... 13

Trigger Setup ................................................. 13

Data Port Setup ............................................... 14

Passthru........................................................... 14

RS232 Setup.................................................... 14

IR Codes Setup ............................................... 14

Front IR Setup ................................................. 14

Auto-Off Setup ............................................... 15

FACTORY RESET ......................................... 15

Remote Control Buttons ........................................... 16

Changing the Remote’s Battery ............................... 17

Packing the C8 .......................................................... 18

Specifications ........................................................... 19

IMPORTANT!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL OF
FOAM INSERT OVER THE VACUUM
TUBES PRIOR TO CONNECTING THE
A.C. POWER SUPPLY CORD, START
ON THE NEXT PAGE.

List of Figures

Figure 01– C8 Dimensions ................................. 6

Figure 02– Ventilation requirements .................. 6

Figure 03– Front Panel ....................................... 7

Figure 04– C8 Rear View ................................... 8

Figure 05– RCA/Phono Plugs ............................. 9

Figure 06– XLR pin diagram ............................. 9

Figure 07– Mini plug for RS232 connection ...... 9

Figure 08– DB9 connector pin layout ................ 9

Figure 09– IR 3.5mm connector ......................... 9

Figure 10– Power control (trigger) mini plug ....11

Figure 11– 3.5mm Data plug ..............................12

Figure 12– Inputs Menu .....................................13

Figure 13– Opening the Remote Control ..........17

Figure 14– Re-packing diagram ........................18

3

Remove the Foam

Caution: To prevent damage to the C8 Tubes

during shipping, there is a special
foam insert surrounding the Tubes
of the Preamplifier.

The Foam Insert must

2. Remove the Warning Sheet and save it with the
Shipping Carton for possible future use. Refer to
Figures A and B.

3. Carefully lift upright the Foam Insert Vacuum
Tube Cover and place it near to the C8
Preamplifier. Refer to Figure C.

be removed from the C8
before connecting the AC
Power Supply Cord to the
Preamplif ier.

Failure to do so has the

potential of a Fire Hazard,
resulting in damage to the
C8 and the surrounding
environment.

Follow these instructions for

removal of the packing foam
before connecting the AC
Power Supply Cord to the
C8.

The C8 has no user serviceable parts, including the
tubes. If repairs are needed they must be performed by
an authorized McIntosh Service Agency. Follow the
steps below to prepare the C8 for operation:

1. Orient the C8 so the Front and Top of the
Preamplifier is facing you. Refer to Figure A.

WARNING

TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD, THE FOAM INSERT
OVER THE VACUUM TUBES MUST BE REMOVED
PRIOR TO CONNECTING THE AC POWER CORD
AND OPERATING THIS PRODUCT.

REFER TO THE OWNER’S

MANUAL FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

Figure A

Remove the Warning Sheet

Figure B

Vacuum Tube Shield Covers

Remove the
Foam Insert
Vacuum
Tube Cover

Figure C

4. Remove from the Foam, the four Vacuum Tube
Shield Covers and place them along the side of the
C8 Preamplifier. Save the Foam Insert Vacuum
Tube Cover with the Shipping Carton for possible
future use. Refer to Figure D.

Remove the four Vacuum Tube Shield Covers

Figure D

4

WA R N I NG:

7-

17.9cm

VOLUME

INPUT

HHEEAADDPPHHOONNEESS

PPUUSSHH -- TTRRIIMM PPUUSSHH -- PPOOWWEERR

CC 88 TTUU BBEE PPRR EE AAMMPPLLIIFFIIEE RR

The supplied Vacuum Tube Shield
Covers must be installed over
each of the four Small Vacuum
Tubes before the C8 Preamplifier
is connected to AC Power and
activated for use!!

Failure to do so has the potential
to cause physical harm to human
beings and animals.

5. The C8 Preamplifier has four Small Vacuum
Tubes that are inserted into special Vacuum Tube
Sockets on the Stainless Steel Chassis. Refer to
Figure E.
Each of the Tube Sockets have four pin openings
to accept the Vacuum Tube Shield Covers. Refer
to Figure F.
Carefully install the Vacuum Tube Shield Covers
into each of the Vacuum Tube Sockets orienting
the Shield so the “Mc” on top of the Shield is
facing forward. Refer to Figures G and H.

This could also result in damage
to the Vacuum Tubes and the C8
Internal Circuitry.

It also prevents the potential of a
Fire Hazard, resulting in damage
to the C8 and the surrounding
environment.

Figure E

Pin Openings

Figure G

Special Vacuum Tube Sockets

Vacuum Tube
Shield Covers

Figure F

Figure H

5

Where to put it

The C8 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.

Always provide adequate ventilation for your C8.
Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating
life for any electronic instrument. Do not install the
C8 directly above a heat generating component such

as a high-powered amplier. If all the components
are installed in a single cabinet, a quiet running
ventilation fan can be a denite 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 (see Figure 02):

• 6 inches (15.3cm) above the top

• 5/8 inches (1.6cm) below the bottom

• 2 inches (5.1cm) on each side of the C8 so that

airow is not obstructed

• 18 inches (45.7cm) depth behind the front panel

• 1-7/16 inch (3.7cm) in front of the mounting

panel for knob clearance

6"

2"

5.1cm

15.3cm

C8 TU BE P RE AM PL IF IE R

2"

5.1cm

11-7/8"

30.2cm

C8 T UB E PR EA MP LI FI ER

INPUT

HEADPHONES

PUSH - TRIM PUSH - POWER

9-3/8"

23.8cm

Rear View of the C8

11-1/2"

29.2cm

EXTERNAL

DATA

POWER CONTROL

CONTROL

PORTS

1 MAIN TRIG 1

RS232

SERVICE

PORT

IR IN

2 PASSTHRU TRIG 2

OUTPUT 2

R

L

PHONO INPUTS

MC MM

UNBALANCED INPUTS

BALANCED INPUT

L

1 2

R

R

L

GND

12 - "

R

L

1/32

30.6cm

(SUB) UNBAL

OUTPUT 1

BAL R BAL L

VOLUME

C8 TUBE PREAMPLIFIER

McINTOSH LABORATORY, INC., BINGHAMTON, NY

HANDCRAFTED IN USA WITH US AND IMPORTED PARTS

7-1/32

17.9cm

7- "

1/32

17.9cm

Front View of the C8

7-5/8"

"

19.4cm

1-5/16"

3.36cm

Figure 01– C8 Dimensions

Side View of the C8

15-3/8"

39.0cm

12-3/4 "

32.4cm

1-5/16"

3.3cm

7-1/32"

17.9cm

INPUT

HEADPHONES

PUSH - TRIM PUSH - POWER

18"

45.7cm

VOLUME

6"

15.3cm

Figure 02– Ventilation requirements

6