McIntosh CR-16 Brochure

CR16 Multizone A/V Control Center

MC58 Eight-Channel Power Amplifier

McIntosh Multizone A/V

or more than a decade McIntosh has offered multizone systems distinguished not
only by musical excellence but also by operating ease and adaptability. A
McIntosh multizone A/V system integrates seamlessly with non-McIntosh products
and can be scaled for any size installation. If you love music and you want
McIntosh performance, a multizone system gives you more of both. But it’s also a

F

number of rooms or areas in your home. The CR16 Multizone A/V Control Center and the
MC58 8-Channel Power Amplifier go together like hand in glove, offering abundant
possibilities for a house-wide entertainment system with true McIntosh performance.

smart investment, as it uses just one set of audio and video sources to supply any

McIntosh Multizone A/V

CR16

Multizone A/V Control Center

Featured Technologies

FOUR INDEPENDENT ZONES (CR16). The CR16 is four audio/video preamps in one

chassis, each with its own input selector, volume control, and tone controls. For example,
you can listen to FM stereo in one zone, CD in a second, watch satellite in a third, and
watch a DVD movie in a fourth – all at the same time. In addition, a local “private” A/V
source can be connected for each zone for use only by that zone. As many as six CR16s
can be linked (“cascaded”) for a total of 24 independent A/V zones.

CONTROL DATA OUTPUTS (CR16). To facilitate system integration, the CR16 outputs

control data for source components. This allows remote operation of non-McIntosh components
either by direct connection to compatible data inputs or via a McIntosh Remote Translator.

SOURCES

CR16

CABLE

MC58

multiple

zones

LINKS

to McIntosh

home theater

system

SPEAKERS

DISPLAYS

All it takes is one cable to join the
CR16 and the MC58 (or MC7108)
… and one more to link a multi­zone system to a home theater.

REMOTE POWER CONTROL (CR16 + MC58). The MC58 receives power on/off data via

its single cable link to the CR16. In addition, power control jacks provide the same capa­bility when the units are not linked. A special multipin jack on the CR16 connects to the PC3
AC Power Controller, which coordinates power on/off of zone amps, audio sources, and
video components.

EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH TONE CONTROLS (CR16). Judicious use of well-designed bass

and treble controls can compensate for acoustical irregularities. Each zone of the CR16 has
its own bass and treble control that offers ±12dB adjustments with fine resolution, yet in
the “flat” position is completely removed from the signal path.

MATCHED AND BUFFERED VIDEO SWITCHING (CR16). High-resolution video sources

such as DVDs demand high-quality video switching. Each CR16 video input is terminated
with 75 ohms to maintain a proper impedance match. Video buffer amplifiers feed the
CR16’s monitor video output, ensuring no loss in picture quality. In addition, the input
buffers feed a line-matched signal to the individual video outputs, preventing signal
degradation if those sources are in turn fed to another CR16 or a master preamp.

BALANCED CONNECTIONS (CR16). Balanced connections guard against induced noise

and allow long cable runs without compromising sound quality. The CR16’s four balanced
outputs can be used to feed larger power amps (such as the MC202) for installations that
require high sound levels.

CONFIGURABLE POWER OUTPUT (MC58). Channels 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8 can be

operated either in the normal mode (50W x 8) or with each channel pair independently
bridged (100W x 4). Configurations of 7, 6, 5, and 4 channels are also possible. For example,
a 5-channel configuration for home theater would comprise three bridged channel pairs
plus two normal channels, resulting in 100Wx3 for left/center/right speakers and 50Wx2
for the surround speakers.

EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH POWER ASSURANCE SYSTEM (MC58). Power Assurance is a

collection of technologies that enhance performance and reliability and protect the amp
and the loudspeakers.

Power Guard

deliver full power without causing clipping distortion. If an amplifier channel is over­driven, Power Guard automatically reduces the input volume just enough to keep distortion

MC58

Eight-Channel Power Amplifier

®

clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always

CR16/MC58 Companion Products

The McIntosh products shown at right are logical
companions for the CR16/MC58. Separate liter­ature is available. Check with your McIntosh
dealer for late additions.

WK2, WK3, WK4 Keypad Controllers and R649
IR Sensor. The wall-mount, illuminated keypads

enable pushbutton operation and include IR sen­sors that relay commands from handheld
remotes. The CR16 can accommodate as many
as four keypads or IR sensors in each of its four
zones. (See the separate McIntosh System
Accessories literature for more on keypads and
IR sensors.) In addition, an RS-232 port makes
the CR16 compatible with popular touchscreen
remotes from Crestron and Panja.

RCT4 Remote Translator. The Translator allows

non-McIntosh components to be operated with a
McIntosh IR remote or keypad controller. It con­nects to the data outputs on the CR16.

HC1 Home Controller. The HC1 connects to the

CR16’s HOME data output and allows remote
operation of other home devices such as lights
and movie screens.

PC3 AC Power Controller. The PC3 provides a

total of 14 AC outlets (11 switched, 3 unswitched)
for automatic AC control of zone amps, audio
sources, and video components. It connects to a
multipin jack on the CR16.

PC4 AC Power Control. The PC4 provides five

outlets (four switched) for turning non-McIntosh
components on and off automatically when it is
connected to the power control output of a
Control Center or Integrated Amplifier.

MR85 AM/FM Tuner with Dual Tuners. Ideal for

multiroom systems, the MR85 is available with a
second tuner (the TM1 module) that operates
independently. A thoroughly engineered broad­cast monitor, the MR85 reveals the upper limits
of AM and FM performance. The supplied RAA1
AM antenna can be positioned away from
sources of interference (e.g., TV sets, fluorescent
lights) for greatly improved AM quality.

MX132 A/V Control Center + Processor. One

cable from the MX132 to the CR16 will integrate
a McIntosh home theater with a McIntosh multi­zone system. This lets the two systems share
one group of source components.

Academy Series Loudspeakers. The Academy

loudspeakers satisfy the often contradictory
demands of pure music versus movie sound. All
Academy loudspeakers use the acclaimed

®

LD/HP

driver – which significantly reduces bass
distortion while increasing power handling. The
compact HT5 has a footprint less than 10 inches
square. The LS320 features arched bridge truss
construction that is virtually immune to vibrations
that distort sound. A special tweeter plate
reduces edge diffraction cancellation and is
mounted on traditional McIntosh screened black
glass. The WS320 is the wall-mount sibling of the
LS320 and comes in a paintable white finish. At
400 watts, the PS112 is McIntosh’s most power­ful amplified subwoofer. It features arched bridge
truss construction and a screened black glass
control panel.

WK2, WK3, WK4 KEYPAD CONTROLLERS

AND R649 IR SENSOR

RCT4 REMOTE TRANSLATOR

HC1 HOME CONTROLLER

Featured Technologies (cont’d.)

below 2% and prevent any clipping distortion. Thanks to an optical resistor, Power Guard acts lit­erally at the speed of light, producing absolutely no audible side effects. An amplifier with Power
Guard will actually deliver clipping-free output well above its rated power.

Sentry Monitor

output stage and confines it to a safe limit. Sentry Monitor does not limit power output.

0 dB

a

-20

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L
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-90

20Hz 200Hz 2kHz

Thermal Cutout. If the cooling air is blocked and the power transistors become too hot,

thermal cutouts protect against overheating until the amp cools.

Turn-On Delay. This circuit delays operation for about two seconds after turn-on in order to avoid

any pops or thumps generated as other equipment turns on.

Soft Start inrush protection. Thermistors in the power transformer act as a cushion against inrush cur-

rent, eliminating component stress during turn-on. Soft Start is one of many design details that con­tribute to the remarkable longevity of McIntosh equipment.

Why
Choose
McIntosh?

®

current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current of the

0 dB

b

-20

-40
L
O
G

-60

-80

-90

20Hz 200Hz 2kHz

Consumer electronics products usually are viewed as short­term investments because they don’t last or they quickly
become obsolete in some way. But behind every McIntosh is
a fifty-year heritage of excellence, proudly carried forward
by every employee. No production lines, no “price-point”

0 dB

c

-20

-40
L
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-60

-80

-90

20Hz 200Hz 2kHz

The patented McIntosh Power Guard in the
MC58 provides real-time clipping protection
without affecting power output or sound quality.

a. test signal b. overdriven amp without Power
Guard produces SEVERE clipping c. overdriven
amp with Power Guard produces NO clipping

When customers are presented with McIntosh products, cri­teria they have been conditioned to overlook – reliability,
longevity, craftsmanship, ease-of-use, adaptability, pride of
ownership – suddenly leap to the top of their list. The choice

then becomes clear: There is nothing like a McIntosh.
engineering, no planned obsolescence. McIntosh equipment
is made to sound better and last longer.

PC3, PC4 AC POWER CONTROLLERS

MR85 AM/FM TUNER

HT5

WS320

LS320

PS112

Features

CR16 Multizone A/V Control Center

Multizone A/V Control Center

4 independent zones comprising 4 McIntosh A/V preamps

Single-cable connection to McIntosh MC58 or MC7108
8-Channel Power Amplifiers

Single-cable connection to a “master” preamp (e.g., to link CR16
multizone system to MX132-based home theater system)

Single-cable connections for cascading as many as six
CR16s for a total of 24 independent zones

8 common (shared) sources (4 audio, 4 A/V)

1 additional local “private” A/V source for each zone

LED status indicators for all 4 zones

Programmable “wake-up” conditions for each zone

Output level trim for each zone (can also be used to set
maximum permissible volume)

Exclusive McIntosh tone controls for each zone

Balanced outputs for each zone (fixed or variable)

Unbalanced outputs for each zone (variable)

Buffered video outputs for each input

Control data output for source components

Remote operation of lights, screens, and drapes with
McIntosh HC1 Home Controller

Remote power control

Selectable control priority for limiting operation from any zone

Accommodates as many as 4 keypads or IR sensors per zone

RS232 control for touchscreen system remotes

Front panel reset does not affect memory

Gold-plated input and output jacks

Modular construction with steel chassis

Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature

MC58 Eight-Channel Power Amplifier

8-Channel Power Amplifier for multizone and home theater

Single-cable connection to CR16 or CR12
(additional line-level cables needed for CR10)

8 x 50 watts (4 ohms) or 8 x 30 watts (8 ohms)

Any pair can be bridged for 1 x 100 watts (8 ohms)

Configurable to 7, 6, 5, or 4 channels

Theater power configuration: (3 x 100W) + (2 x 50W)

High output current capability

Wide power bandwidth, ultra-low distortion

Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System:

Power Guard
Sentry Monitor®current protection
Thermal Cutout
Turn-On Delay

Remote power control

Gold-plated high-current output terminals

Fanless convection cooling

Modular construction with steel chassis

Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature

®

clipping protection

Specifications

CR16 Multizone A/V Control Center

Frequency Response

20Hz to 20kHz, +0 / -0.5dB

Rated Voltage Output

1.25V

Maximum Voltage Output

6V from 20Hz to 20kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion

0.01% max. from 20Hz to 20kHz
at rated output

Input Sensitivity

0.250V for 1.25V rated output

Maximum Input Signal

8Vrms

S/N Ratio (A-Weighted)

90dB below rated output

Voltage Gain

Input to variable outputs: 14dB

Tone Controls

Bass and treble ±12dB

Power Requirements

120V 50/60Hz, 35W

Dimensions (h x w x d)

inch: 7.062 x 17.5 x 20
cm: 17.9 x 44.5 x 50.8

Weight

40 lbs. (18.2kg) boxed

MC58 Eight-Channel Power Amplifier

RMS Power Output

Min. sine wave continuous avg. output
per channel with all channels operating:

Normal: 50 watts (4Ω) or 30 watts (8Ω)
Bridged: 100 watts (8Ω)

(Can also be configured for 7, 6, 5, or 4 channels)

Input Sensitivity

1V (2.5V at gain control
center detent)

A-Weighted Signal-to-Noise Ratio

92dB (112dB below rated output)

Output Load Impedance

Normal - 8 or 4 ohms
Bridged - 8 ohms

Rated Power Band

20Hz to 20kHz

Total Harmonic Distortion

0.005% max. at any level from 250mW
to rated output from 20Hz to 20kHz
with all channels operating

Intermodulation Distortion

0.005% maximum if instantaneous
peak output does not exceed twice
the output power rating

Dynamic Headroom

1.8dB

Frequency Response

20Hz to 20kHz, +0 / -0.25dB
10Hz to 100kHz, +0 / -3.0dB

Input Impedance

20k ohms

Power Guard®

Clipping is prevented and THD does not
exceed 2% with up to14dB overdrive
at 1kHz

Power Requirements

120V 50/60Hz

Dimensions (h x w x d)

inch: 7.062 x 17.5 x 20
cm: 17.9 x 44.5 x 50.8

Weight

72 lbs. (32.7kg) boxed

tel [phone]

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York 13903

• U.S. toll-free (888) 979–3737 • fax [phone] • www.mcintoshlabs.com

1200.CR16.25k.essecomm