McIntosh C8 Owner's Manual

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

C8

Tube Preamplifier

Owner’s Manual

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 Preamplifier, 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

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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

		List of Figures
Changing the Remote’s Battery	17	Figure 01–  C8 Dimensions	6
Packing the C8	18	Figure 02–  Ventilation requirements	6
Specifications	19	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

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.

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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 be removed from the C8 before connecting the AC

Power Supply Cord to the Preamplifier.

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.

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

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

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

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

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WARNING:

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.

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.

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.

Figure E

	Special Vacuum Tube Sockets
Pin Openings	Vacuum Tube
	Shield Covers

Figure F

Figure G

	C 8 T U B E P R E A M P L I F I E R
INPU T	VOLUME
	HEADPHONES
PUSH - TRIM	PUSH - POWER

Figure H

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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 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 coolest possible operating temperature.

Acustom 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

11-7/8"

30.2cm

C 8 T U B E P R E A M P L I F I E R

INPUT

VOLUME

9-3/8"

23.8cm

Rear View of the C8

11-1/2"

29.2cm

Front View of the C8

7-1/32 " 7-5/8" 17.9cm 19.4cm

Side View of the C8

15-3/8"

39.0cm

7-1/32" 17.9cm

				DATA	EXTERNAL	POWER CONTROL
				PORTS	CONTROL
				1	RS232	MAIN TRIG 1	C8 TUBE PREAMPLIFIER
				SERVICE			McINTOSHLABORATORY, INC., BINGHAMTON, NY
				PORT				1-5/16"	12-3/4 "	1-5/16"
				2	IR IN	PASSTHRU TRIG 2
							7-1/32"	3.36cm	32.4cm	3.3cm
PHONO INPUTS	UNBALANCED INPUTS	BALANCED INPUT		OUTPUT 2	OUTPUT 1		17.9cm
MC MM	1 2	R	L	(SUB) UNBAL	BAL R	BAL L
R	R			R
L	L			L

GND

12 -1/32"

30.6cm

Figure 01–  C8 Dimensions

•2 inches (5.1cm) on each side of the C8 so that airflow 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"	15.3cm	2"
5.1cm			5.1cm

C 8 T U B E P R E A M P L I F I E R

INPUT

VOLUME

6"

15.3cm

18"

45.7cm

Figure 02–  Ventilation requirements

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