McIntosh MA-8000 Owners Manual

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

MA8000

Integrated Amplifier

Owner’s Manual

The lightning ash with arrowhead, within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of

uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s en-

closure that may be of sufcient 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.

WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK

OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL

SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE

THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR

MOISTURE.

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS!

PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Do not use this apparatus near water.

6. Clean only with a dry cloth.

7. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install
in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruc­tions.

8. Do not install near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appa-

ratus (including ampliers) that produce heat.

9. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polar­ized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug
has two blades with one wider than the other.
A grounding type plug has two blades and a

NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS

INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO

QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.

third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If

the provided plug does not t into your outlet,

consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.

10. Protect the power cord from being walked on
or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit
from the apparatus.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specied by

the manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table specied by the manu­facturer, or sold with the appa­ratus. When a cart is used, use
caution when moving the cart/
apparatus combination to avoid
injury from tip-over.

13. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms
or when unused for long periods of time.

14. Refer all servicing to qualied service person­nel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power-

To prevent the risk of electric

shock, do not remove cover or

back. No user-serviceable parts

inside.

supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has
been spilled or objects have fallen into the
apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to
rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or
has been dropped.

15. Do not expose this equipment to dripping or

splashing and ensure that no objects lled

with liquids, such as vases, are placed on the
equipment.

16. To completely disconnect this equipment from
the a.c. mains, disconnect the power supply
cord plug from the a.c. receptacle.

17. The mains plug of the power supply cord shall
remain readily operable.

18. Do not expose batteries to excessive heat such

as sunshine, re or the like.

19. Connect mains power supply cord only to a
mains socket outlet with a protective earthing
connection.

2

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh MA8000 Inte­grated Amplifier ranks you at the very top among
discriminating music listeners. You now have the best.
The McIntosh dedication to precision performance
assures many years of musical enjoyment.
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 Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Copyright 2013 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

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
Department. For assistance on factory repair return
procedure, contact the McIntosh Service Department
at:

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Table of Contents

Safety Instructions ............................................................2-3

Thank You and Please Take a Moment ...............................3

Technical Assistance and Customer Service .......................3

Table of Contents .................................................................3

General Information ............................................................4

Connector and Cable Information .......................................4

Introduction .........................................................................5

Performance Features ..........................................................5

Dimensions ..........................................................................6

Installation ...........................................................................7

Connections:

Rear Panel Connections .......................................................8

(Separate Sheet) ...........................................................Mc1A

Connecting Components .....................................................9

Connection Diagrams (Separate Sheet) .................Mc2A/2B

Passthru Connections ........................................................10

Connecting for Bi-Amplification ...................................... 11

Connecting Loudspeakers ............................................12-13

Remote Control and Front Panel:

Remote Control Push-buttons ...........................................14

How to use the Remote Control .........................................15

Front Panel Displays, Controls,

Push-buttons and Jack ....................................................... 16

Setup Mode:

How to Operate the Setup Mode ....................................... 17

Default Settings ..........................................................17

Firmware Version ....................................................... 18

Source Input Reassigment ..........................................18

Source Input Renaming ..............................................19

Passthru ......................................................................20

Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 ..................................20

Comm Port Baud Rate ................................................21

Remote Control Codes ...............................................22

Power Mode ................................................................22

Operation:

How to Operate the MA8000 ............................................24

Power On/Off .............................................................24

Source Selection .........................................................24

Volume Control ..........................................................24

Trim Functions:

Balance ..............................................................24

Equalizer Mode .................................................25

Trim Level .........................................................25

Mono/Stereo Mode and Phono Adjustments ....26

Display Brightness ............................................26

Digital Audio Display .......................................27

Meter Backlight ................................................27

Equalizer Bypass, Trim, Mute ...................................27

Headphone Jack ..........................................................27

Power Output Meters ..................................................28

Power Guard and How to Make a Recording .............28

Using a Separate Power Amplifier .............................28

Using Output 2 ...........................................................28

Passthru and Equalizer Controls ................................29

Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs ............................30

USB Input Operation with a Computer ......................30

Reset of Microprocessors ...........................................30

Resetting the MA8000 to default settings .................30

Technical Description .......................................... 32-37

Photos ...................................................................38-40

Specifications ....................................................... 41-42

Packing Instructions ................................................. 43

3

General Information

1. For additional connection information, refer to the

owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected

to the MA8000.

2. Apply AC Power to the MA8000 and other McIn­tosh Component(s) only after all the system compo­nents are connected together. Failure to do so may
cause a malfunction of system operations as the
Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside the components
is active when AC Power is applied.

3. The MA8000 includes an Auto Off Power Save
Feature and the default setting is enabled. For
additional information including how to disable it,
refer to page 22.

4. When Power Amplifier Protection Circuitry of
the MA8000 has activated, the Front Panel Power
Guard LEDs are illuminated continuously and the
sound will be muted.

5. When the Power Transformer has overheated due
to improper ventilation and/or high ambient operat­ing temperature, AC Power is removed from the
MA8000. Normal operation will resume when the
operating temperature is in a safe range again.

6. For the best performance and safety, it is important
to always match the impedance of the Loudspeaker
to the Power Amplifier connections. Refer to pages
11 thru 13.

Note: The impedance of a Loudspeaker actually var-

ies as the Loudspeaker reproduces different
frequencies. As a result, the nominal impedance
rating of the Loudspeaker (usually measured at
a midrange frequency) might not always agree
with the impedance of the Loudspeaker at low
frequencies where the greatest amount of power
is required. Contact the Loudspeaker Manufac­turer for additional information about the actual
impedance of the Loudspeaker before connecting

it to the McIntosh MA8000.

General Information, Connector and Cable Information

7. The MA8000 Remote Control is capable of operat­ing other components. For additional information
go to www.mcintoshlabs.com.

8. The IR Input, with a 1/8inch mini phone jack, is
configured for non-McIntosh IR sensors such as
a Xantech Model HL85BK Kit. Use a Connection
Block such as a Xantech Model ZC21 when two
or more IR sensors need to be connected to the
MA8000. The signal from a connected External
IR Sensor will have priority over the signal from
the Front Panel IR Sensor.

9. When discarding the unit, comply with local rules
or regulations. Batteries should never be
thrown away or incinerated but disposed
of in accordance with the local regula­tions concerning battery disposal.

10. For additional information on the
MA8000 and other McIntosh Products please visit
the McIntosh Web Site at www.mcintoshlabs.com.

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced
Input and Output Connectors on the MA8000. Refer
to the diagrams for connections:
PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Output
PIN 3: - Output

PIN 2 PIN 1

PIN 3

Power Control and Trigger Connectors

The Power Control Trigger Output
Jacks send and Passthru Input Jack
receives Power On/Off Signals (+12

volt/0 volt) when connected to other

McIntosh Components. An addi­tional connection is for controlling

PIN 1

PIN 3

Main, Trig 1&2

and Pass-Thru

Power
Control

Meter
Illumination
Control

Ground

PIN 2

the illumination of the Power Output Meters on Mc­Intosh Power Amplifiers. A 3.5mm stereo mini phone
plug is used for connection to the Power Control, Trig­ger and Passthru Outputs.

Data Port Connectors

The Data Out Ports send Remote
Control Signals to Source Compo­nents. A 3.5mm stereo mini phone
plug is used for connection.

Data
Signal

N/C

Data
Ground

IR IN Port Connectors

The IR IN Port also uses a 3.5mm
stereo mini phone plug and allows the
connection of other brand IR Receiv­ers to the MA8000.

IR Data
Control

N/C

Ground

RS232-C Data Port Cable

The RS232 Data Cable is a 3.5mm stereo mini phone
plug to a sub miniature DB 9 connector:

DB9

Data In
(DB9-pin2)

Data Out
(DB9-pin3)

Ground
(DB9-pin5)

(male connector)

PIN 1

PIN 6

PIN 5

PIN 9

McIntosh Plug-In Jumper Connector

The MA8000 utilizes a phono style Plug-In Jumper to
connect the Preamplifier Output to the
Power Amplifier Input, one Jumper for
each channel.

Note: The Jumper Connector is available

from the McIntosh Parts Department:

McIntosh Jumper Connector Part No. 11808000

4

Introduction

Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh
standards of excellence in the MA8000 Integrated
Amplifier. The Power Amplifier section of the
MA8000, with a power output of 300 watts per chan­nel, will drive a pair of quality Loudspeakers to a high
level of performance.

The flexible Preamplifier section provides connec-

tions for various input sources and may also be used to

drive an external Power Amplifier(s).

The MA8000 reproduction is sonically transparent
and absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The
Sound of the Music Itself.”

Performance Features

• Power Output with Patented Autoformer

The MA8000 consists of a 300 watts per channel ste­reo Power Amplifier with less than 0.005% distortion.
The McIntosh designed and manufactured Autoformer
allows connection of 2, 4 or 8 ohm Loudspeakers. The
Power Amplifier uses ThermalTrak1 Output Transis­tors for lower distortion and cool operation.

• Power Guard

The patented McIntosh Power Guard circuit prevents
amplifier clipping and protects your valuable Loud­speakers.

• Sentry Monitor and Thermal Protection

McIntosh Sentry Monitor power output stage protec­tion circuits ensure the MA8000 will have a long and
trouble free operating life. Built-in Thermal Protection
Circuits guard against overheating.

• Electronic Switching and Balanced Connections

The Preamplifier uses Logic Circuits controlling

1

ThermalTrak™ and ON Semiconductor are trademarks of Semi-

conductor Components Industries, LLC

Electromagnetic Switches on all inputs and operating
functions for reliable, noiseless, distortion free switch­ing. There are Balanced Inputs for connection of a
source components.

• Digital Audio Inputs

The MA8000 has Coaxial, Optical and USB Digi­tal Inputs to decode PCM Signals from an external
source. The MA8000 Up Samples the Digital Signal
to 192kHz with 32 Bit resolution before the Digital to
Analog process begins.

• Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Inputs

The MA8000 contains two precision Phono Preampli­fier Circuits. One for low output Moving Coil Phono
Cartridges with selectable resistance loading, the
other is for Moving Magnet Cartridges with selectable
capacitive loading. They use the latest designs for the
lowest possible noise and distortion. The RIAA Cor­rection Circuitry utilizes close tolerance resistors and
capacitors for an extremely flat frequency response.

• Eight Band Equalizer

The Equalizer Controls provide 12dB of boost or cut
at center frequencies of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 1,000,
2,500 and 10,000Hz. There is also an Equalizer By­pass Mode to remove the Equalizer from the Signal
Path of any selected input.

• Multifunction Fluorescent Display

The Front Panel Display indicates source selection,
volume levels and setup functions.

• Illuminated Power Meters

The Illuminated Power Output Watt Meters on the
MA8000 are peak responding, and indicate the power
output of the amplifier.

Introduction and Performance Features

• PassThru Mode

The Automatic PassThru Mode allows the MA8000
to become part of a Multichannel Sound System for
DVD-Audio, SACD and Home Theater Movies.

• Power Control and Remote Control

The Power Control Output connection provides conve­nient Turn-On/Off of McIntosh Source Components.
The Data Ports together with the supplied Remote
Control provide control of McIntosh Source Compo­nents connected to the MA8000.

• Special Power Supply

The large Power Transformer, multiple filter capaci­tors with 140 Joules of Energy Storage and regulated
Power Supply ensures stable noise free operation even
though the power line varies.

• McIntosh Custom Binding Posts

McIntosh Patented gold plated output terminals deliver
high current output. They accept large diameter wire
and spade lugs. Banana plugs may also be used only in
the United States and Canada.

• Fiber Optic Solid State Front Panel Illumination

The even Illumination of the Front Panel is accom­plished by the combination of custom designed Fiber
Optic Light Diffusers and extra long life Light Emit-

ting Diodes (LEDs).

• Glass Front Panel and Super Mirror Chassis

Finish

The famous McIntosh Illuminated Glass Front Panel
and the Stainless Steel Chassis with Super Mirror Fin­ish ensures the pristine beauty of the MA8000 will be
retained for many years.

5

Dimensions

The following dimensions can assist in determining
the best location for your MA8000. There is additional
information on the next page pertaining to installing
the MA8000 into cabinets.

Front View of the MA8000

17-1/2"

44.5cm

Dimensions

Rear View of the MA8000

16-13/16"

42.7cm

8-13/16"

22.4cm

7-15/16"

7.9cm

9-7/16"

24.0cm

2-1/4"

5.7cm

7/8"

2.2cm

Side View of the MA8000

19-3/4"

50.2cm

16-7/16"

41.8cm

12-3/4"

32.4cm

8-1/4"

21.0cm

3/16"

0.5cm

1-1/4"

3.2cm

11-1/2"

29.2cm

6

Installation

Installation

The MA8000 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 four feet may be removed from the bottom
of the MA8000 when it is custom installed as out­lined below. The four feet together with the mounting
screws should be retained for possible future use if the
MA8000 is removed from the custom installation and
used free standing. The required panel cutout, ventila­tion cutout and unit dimensions are shown.

Always provide adequate ventilation for your
MA8000. Cool operation ensures the longest possible
operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not
install the MA8000 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.

A custom cabinet installation should provide the
following minimum spacing dimensions for cool
operation.

Allow at least 6 inches (15.24cm) above the top, 2
inches (5.08cm) below the bottom and 2 inches (5.1cm)

on each side of the Integrated Amplifier, so that

airf low is not obstructed. Allow 20 inches (50.8cm)
depth behind the front panel. Allow 2-1/2 inch (6.4cm)

in front of the mounting panel for knob and handle
clearance. Be sure to cut out a ventilation hole in the
mounting shelf according to the dimensions in the
drawing.

MA8000 Front Panel
Custom Cabinet Cutout

MA8000 Side View
in Custom Cabinet

MA8000 Bottom View
in Custom Cabinet

Cabinet
Front
Panel

Opening
for Ventilation

4-5/8"

11.8cm

17-1/16"

43.3cm

Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting

6"

15.2cm

Cutout Opening for Ventilation

9-1/2"

24.1cm

Cutout

Opening

for

Ventilation

16"

40.6cm

Support
Shelf

8-5/16"

21.1cm

Chassis
Spacers

11-1/2"

29.2cm

Note: Center the cutout Horizontally
on the unit. For purposes of
clarity, the above illustration
is not drawn to scale.

10"

25.4cm

7

Rear Panel Connections

The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the
MA8000 Integrated Amplifier is located on a separate
folded sheet contained in the Owner’s Manual Packet.
Refer to separate sheet “Mc1A” for the Rear Panel
Connections.

MA8000 Rear Panel Connections

MA8000 Rear Panel Connections

8

Connecting Components

The MA8000 has the ability to automatically switch
power On/Off to McIntosh Source Components via

the Power Control (Trigger) connections. The Data

Port Connections allow for the remote operation of
basic functions using the MA8000 Remote Control.
With an external sensor connected to the MA8000, re­mote control operation of the system is possible from
another room and/or when the MA8000 is located in a
cabinet with the doors closed.

The connection instructions below, together with

the MA8000 Input and Output Connection Diagrams
located on the separate folded sheet “Mc2A/2B”, are
an example of a typical audio system. Your system
may vary from this, however the actual components
would be connected in a similar manner. For addition­al information refer to “Connector and Cable Informa­tion” on page 4.

Note: Source components may be connected to the

MA8000 Balanced Inputs or Digital Inputs in­stead of Unbalanced Inputs. Refer to Setup “Re­assigning Inputs” to activate them on page 18.

Power Control Connections:

1. Connect a Control Cable from the MA8000 PWR

CTRL (Power Control) MAIN Jack to the Power

Control In on the Turntable.

2. Connect a Control Cable from the McIntosh Turn­table Power Control Out Jack to the Audio/Video
Player Power Control In Jack.

3. Connect a Control Cable from the Audio/Video
Player Power Control Out Jack to the AM/FM
Tuner Power Control In Jack.

4. Connect a Control Cable from the AM/FM Tuner
Power Control Out Jack to the SACD/CD Player
Power Control In Jack.

5. Optionally connect a Control Cable from the

MA8000 PWR CTRL (Power Control) TRIG

(Trigger) 2 Jack to the Power Amplifier (Second-

ary Room) Power Control In Jack.

Note: The default setting for the TRIG 2 Jack is

“MAIN”. Refer to Setup “Power Control Trig­gers 1 and 2” on page 20 to change TRIG 2 set­ting to “OUTPUT 2”.

6. Connect any additional McIntosh Components in
a similar manner, as outlined in steps 1 thru 4.

Data Control Connections:

7. Connect a Control Cable from the MA8000 CD
DATA PORT Jack to the SACD/CD Player Data In
Jack.

8. Connect a Control Cable from the MA8000
TUNER DATA PORT Jack to the AM/FM Tuner
Data In Jack.

9. Connect a Control Cable from the MA8000 DVD
DATA PORT Jack to the Audio/Video Player Data
In Jack.

10. Connect any additional McIntosh Components in
a similar manner, as outlined in steps 7 thru 9.

Sensor Connection:

11. Optionally, connect the cable with stereo mini
plug coming from the compatible External Sensor

to the EXT CTRL (External Control) IR IN Jack

on the MA8000. Refer to page 4 “General Infor­mation, note 8” for additional information.

Audio Connections:

12. Connect Balanced Cables from the MA8000 BAL

(Balanced) INPUT 1 L & R Connectors to the

SACD/CD Player Fixed Audio Output Balanced
Connectors.

13. Connect Audio Cables from the MA8000 TUNER
INPUT Jacks to the AM/FM Tuner Output Jacks.

14. Connect Audio Cables from the MA8000 DVD
INPUT Jacks to the Audio/Video Player Output
Jacks.

Connecting Components

15. Connect the Audio Cables coming from the Turn­table to the MA8000 PHONO INPUT MC (for a

Moving Coil Cartridge) or PHONO INPUT MM
(for a Moving Magnet Cartridge) Jacks.

16. Optionally, connect Audio Cables from the

MA8000 OUTPUT 2 (Balanced) Jacks to the
Power Amplifier (Secondary) Input Jacks.

17. Connect any additional Components in a similar
manner, as outlined in steps 11 thru 14.

Optional Digital Audio Connections:

18. Connect a Coaxial Cable from the MA8000 DIG

(Digital) 4 Digital Audio Input Jack to the Digital

Out Coaxial Jack on the Audio/Video Player.

Note: Source components may be connected to the

MA8000 Digital Inputs instead of Analog Inputs.
Refer to Setup “Reassigning Inputs” to activate
them on page 18.

19. Connect an Optical Cable from the MA8000

DIG (Digital) 1 Digital Audio Input connector to

the Digital Audio Out Optical Connector on the
SACD/CD Player.

Optional USB Connection:

20. Connect a USB cable with (type A to type B) con­nectors from the MA8000 USB D/A Digital Audio
Input to an available USB connector.

Ground Connections:

21. Connect the Ground Cable coming from the Turn­table to the MA8000 GND Binding Post.

Notes: 1. If the MA8000 is part of a Home Theater

System, proceed to “PassThru” connection on
page 10.

2. When the MA8000 will used together with a
separate Power Amplifier for Bi-Amplification
of a Loudspeaker System, proceed to page 11.

9

Passthru Connections

The MA8000 can be part of a Multichannel Sound
System for SACD, DVD-Audio and Home Theater.
The Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/
Video Control Center can “Passthru” the MA8000. In
the following example the SRVR Input will become
the “Passthru” input:

1. Connect Audio Cables from the A/V Control
Center Front Left and Right Channel Outputs to
the MA8000 SRVR Input Left and Right Jacks.

2. Connect a Control Cable from the A/V Control

Center ZA (Zone A) PC (Power Control) Output
to the MA8000 PWR CTRL (Power Control)

PASSTHRU Input Jack.

Note: Refer to Setup “Passthru” on page 20 to assign

the SRVR Input as the “Passthru” Input.

3. Proceed to “Connecting Loudspeaker” on
Page 12.

Passthru Connections

A/V Control Center

10

Connecting for Bi-Amplification

The MA8000’s Power Amplifier, together with an
additional separate Power Amplifier, may be used to
Bi-Amplify a Loudspeaker System. In the illustration
on this page the Power Amplifier of the MA8000 is
connected to the Midrange/High Frequency Section
of the Loudspeaker. The additional separate Power
Amplifier is connected to the Low Frequency Section
of the Loudspeaker System.

Warning: The Loudspeaker System used for

Bi-Amplification must have the
jumpers removed from between the
MID/HIGH and LOW Frequency
Sections of the Loudspeaker System.
Failure to remove them could result
in damage to the MA8000 and/or the
separate Power Amplifier.

MA8000 Connections:

1. Remove the “McIntosh Jumpers” from between
the OUTPUT 1 Jacks and the PWR AMP In Jacks
located on the Rear Panel of the MA8000.

Note: Place the “McIntosh Jumper” in a safe place

for possible future use.

2. Using a pair of shielded RCA Type Audio “Y”
Adapters connect the OUTPUT 1 Jacks to the
PWR AMP In Jacks, for both Left and Right
Channels.

3. Connect the remaining unconnected part of the
“Y” Adapters to the separate Power Amplifier.

4. Referring to the Loudspeaker Connection Instruc­tions on page 12, and in the Owner’s Manual sup­plied with the Power Amplifier and Loudspeaker,
connect the MA8000 Output Terminals to the
Loudspeaker MID/HIGH Input Terminals.

Note: The Loudspeaker Connection illustrations

on this page are for the Left Channel. Con­nect the Right Channel Loudspeaker in the
same manner.

“Y” adapter Cable

Power Amplier

Connecting for Bi-Amplification

Left Channel
Loudspeaker

-

+

11

Output Terminals

When connecting the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables to
the MA8000 Amplifier Output Terminals please fol­low the steps below:

1. Rotate the top of the Output Terminal Post coun­terclockwise until an opening

appears. Refer to gures A and

B.

2. Insert the Loudspeaker hookup
cable into the Output Terminal
Post opening or the cable spade
lug around the center post of

Figure A

Opening

Figure B

the Output Terminal. Refer to

gure C.

3. Rotate the top of the Output
Terminal Post clockwise until it

is nger tight. Refer to gure D.

4. Place the supplied McIntosh

Figure C Figure D

Wrench over the top of the Out­put Terminal and rotate it one

quarter of a turn (90° ) to secure

the Loudspeaker Cable Connec­tion. Do not over tighten. Refer

Figure E

to gure E.

How to Connect Loudspeakers

Caution: Do not connect the AC Power Cord to the

MA8000 Rear Panel until after the Loudspeaker
Connections are made. Failure to observe this
could result in Electric Shock.

The connection instructions below, together with the
MA8000 Connection Diagram located on the separate
folded sheet “Mc2B”, is an example of a typical audio
system. Your system may vary from this, however the
actual components would be connected in a similar
manner. For additional information refer to “Connec­tor and Cable Information” on page 4.

The McIntosh MA8000 Power Amplifier Circuitry
is designed for Loudspeakers with an impedance of
2 ohms, 4 ohms or 8 ohms. Connect a single Loud­speaker only to the Right and Left Output Terminals.

When connecting Loudspeakers to the MA8000
it is very important to use cables of adequate size, so
there is little to no power loss in the cables. The size is
specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (American Wire

Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the

wire size:

Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide

Loudspeaker

Impedance

2 Ohms
4 Ohms
8 Ohms

25 feet

(7.62 meters)

or less

12AWG 10AWG 8AWG
14AWG 12AWG 10AWG
16AWG 14AWG 12AWG

50 feet

(15.24 meters)

or less

100 feet

(30.48 meters)

or less

1. Prepare the Loudspeaker Hookup Cable for attach­ment to the MA8000 Power Amplifier:

Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the

cable ends, refer to figures F, G & H. If the cable

is stranded, carefully twist the strands together
as tightly as possible.

Figure F

Notes: 1. If desired, the twisted ends can be tinned

with solder to keep the strands together.

2. The prepared bare wire cable ends may be
inserted into spade lug connectors.

3. Banana plugs are for use in the United
States and Canada only.

Figure G

Figure H

Banana Plugs are for use in the United States and

Canada only:

2. Attach the previously prepared bare wire cable ends
into the banana plugs and secure
the connections. Refer to figure I.

3. Rotate the Output Terminal Post

clockwise until it is nger tight.
Refer to gure J. Then using the

Figure I

McIntosh Wrench, rotate the top of
the Output Terminal one quarter of

a turn (90° ). Do not over tighten.

Refer to gure E.

4. Referring to figure K, connect the

Loudspeaker hookup cables with

Figure J

banana plugs into the hole at the
top of the terminal to
the MA8000 Negative
Output Terminal and
Positive Output Termi-

nal indentified as 2Ω
(ohms), 4Ω (ohms) or

Figure K

8Ω (ohms) connection

to match the impedance of the Loudspeaker, being
careful to observe the correct polarities.

Note: The illustration located on the separate

folded sheet “Mc2B” is for connection to an

8Ω (ohms) Loudspeaker.

If the Loudspeaker’s impedance is in-between
the available connections, use the nearest lower
impedance connection. Refer to “General Informa­tion” Note 6 on page 4 for additional information.

WARNING: Loudspeaker terminals are hazard-

ous live and present a risk of electric
shock. For additional instruction on
making Loudspeaker Connections con­tact your McIntosh Dealer or McIn­tosh Technical Support.

12

5. Connect the MA8000 power cord to an active AC
outlet.

Spade Lug or Wire Connections:

6. Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables to the
MA8000 Negative Output Terminal and Posi-

tive Output Terminal indentified as 2Ω (ohms),
4Ω (ohms) or 8Ω (ohms) connection to match the

impedance of the Loudspeaker, being careful to
observe the correct polarities. Insert the spade
lug connector or prepared section of the cable end
into the terminal side access hole, and tighten the
terminal cap until the cable is firmly clamped into
the terminals so the lugs or wire cannot slip out.
Refer to figures L and M.

Note: The illustration located on the separate folded

sheet “Mc2B” is for connection to an 8Ω
(ohms) Loudspeaker.

Connecting Loudspeakers

Figure L

Figure M

If the Loudspeaker’s impedance is in-between the
available connections, use the nearest lower im­pedance connection. Refer to “General Informa­tion” Note 6 on page 4 for additional information.

WARNING: Loudspeaker terminals are hazard-

ous live and present a risk of electric
shock. For additional instruction on
making Loudspeaker Connections con­tact your McIntosh Dealer or McIn­tosh Technical Support.

7. Connect the MA8000 power cord to an active AC
outlet.

13

Remote Control Push-Buttons

LED illuminates during the time a re­mote command is sent to the MA8000

Switches the Trigger 1 and/or 2

Power Control Jack(s) On/Off, refer

to “Setup, Power Control TRIG 1
and TRIG 2” on page 20 for addi­tional information

Selects a Disc Player, Music Server or
Recorder Function. Seek Stations Up
or Down the AM/FM Dial. Select and/
or enter AM/FM Station Presets and
performs various functions on a vari­ety of McIntosh Components

Displays On Screen Functions on the
McIntosh Music Server and a variety
of other McIntosh Components

Adjusts the volume level up or down

Activates the TRIM
Stereo/Mono Mode

Mutes the audio
Selects AM Tuner Operating

Functions and Disc Selection on
certain McIntosh Disc Players

Selects Functions as a “shift” key
when used with the AM or FM
push-buttons to select Output 1
or 2

Press to Power the MA8000 ON

Press to Power the MA8000 OFF

Press to change broadcast bands on
an external McIntosh Tuner con­nected. Select certain functions on a
variety of McIntosh Components

Selects On Screen Functions on a
variety of McIntosh Components

Press TRIM and then the LEVEL
Push-buttons to select and adjust
various functions

Selects FM Tuner Operating Func­tions and Track Selection on certain
McIntosh CD Players

Use to select tuner presets, direct ac­cess an AM/FM Station Frequency,
disc tracks or any numbered operation

Scrolls through the available
MA8000 Inputs

14

Scrolls through the available
MA8000 Inputs

Selects one of the eight
available Audio Sources

Note: Push-buttons whose function is not identified above are for use with other McIntosh Products.

How to use the Remote Control

The supplied HR072 Remote Control is capable of
directly controlling the functions of contemporary
Source Components connected to the MA8000 via the
Data Ports.

Notes: 1. If at any time the MA8000 seems unrespon-

sive to HR072 Remote Control Commands
press the Push-button first.

2. For additional information on using the
HR072 Remote Control with the MA8000,
please refer to the “How to Operate” section
of this Owner’s Manual starting on page 24.

Disc and Track

Use the AM (disc) and FM (track) Push-buttons when

a Disc Player or Music Server is being used.

Tuner Push-buttons

Press the AM or FM Push-button to select the desired
broadcast band. Press and release the Seek Up : the
band or Seek Down 9 the band Push-button to seek
the next available station. Press and hold a Directional
Up p or Down q Push-button to tune continuously
from station to station.

How to use the Remote Control

Amplifier Selection

Press the BLUE (Setup) Push-button followed by the

AM (Output 1) or FM (Output 2) Push-button, to con-

trol the rear panel Audio OUTPUTS 1, 2 (ON or OFF)

and Power Control TRIG 1 / TRIG 2. These OUT­PUTS provide signals to the MA8000 Power Ampli­fier and/or other accessory component.

Note: Refer to SETUP on page 20 “Power Control

Triggers 1 and 2 to change the default setting of
“MAIN” to “REMOTE”.

Input Source Selection

Press the appropriate Source Push-button to select the
desired program source.

Note: When the MA8000 is Off, pressing one of the

Source Push-buttons will switch the MA8000 On
and it will go to that Input.

Mute

Press the MUTE Push-button to mute the audio in all
outputs except the REC OUTPUT. The word MUTE
will appear on the Front Panel Display. To un-mute the
audio, press the MUTE Push-button again.

Disc, Server and Recorder Functions

Use these push-buttons to operate a DVD Player, CD
Player, CD Changer, Music Server or Recorder.

Numbered Push-buttons

Press Push-buttons 0 through 9 to access tuner sta­tion presets, tracks on discs or selections on a Music
Server.

Volume

Press the VOLUME Up p or Down q Push-button to
raise or lower the listening volume level.

Note: The Record Signals present at REC OUTPUTS are

not affected by volume changes.

Pause

Press the Pause Push-button to perform various
functions on a variety of McIntosh Components. It
will also pause the playing of a disc or tape player.

Trim

Press the TRIM Push-button until the desired Trim

function (Balance, Trim Level, etc.) appears on the

Front Panel Display, then press the LEVEL Up p or
Down q Push-button to adjust the Trim setting.

Note: Press the TRIM Push-button to recall the last Trim

function selected. For additional information on
the Trim Functions refer to page 24 thru 27.

15

INPUT Control allows the
selection of various sources
for listening and recording.
TRIM allows selection
of various types of audio
settings. It is also used in
the setup mode for various
functions

LED indicates when the Left
Channel Amplifier POWER
GUARD circuit activates

Meter indicates the
Left Channel Output
of the amplifier

EQUALIZER Controls increase or de­crease the volume levels at the Center Fre­quencies of 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz,
400Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,500Hz and 10,000Hz

LED indicates when the Right
Channel Amplifier POWER
GUARD circuit activates

Meter indicates the
Right Channel Output
of the amplifier

VOLUME Control allows
adjustment of the listening
level for both channels.
ADJUST is also used in
the setup mode for various
functions

Connection for dynamic
type headphones, for
private listening

OUTPUT 1 and 2 Push-buttons with
indicators, switch Preamplifier Output

(Loudspeakers) 1 and 2 On or Off

16

INFORMATION DISPLAY indicates the
Sources, Volume, other Audio Settings,
Operational Functions and Setup Mode
Settings

IR Sensor receives
commands from a
Remote Control

STANDBY/ON Push-button
with indicator switches
the MA8000 ON or OFF

(Standby) and resets the

microprocessors

EQ BYPASS Push-button
with indicator, when activated
the audio signal bypasses the
Equalizer Controls

MUTE Push-button mutes the
audio from the Loudspeakers
and Headphones

How to Operate the Setup Mode

SOURCE: CD

SETUP: SOURCE INPUT

Your McIntosh MA8000 has been factory configured
for default operating settings that will allow immedi­ate enjoyment of superb audio without the need for
further adjustments. If you wish to make changes to
the factory default settings, a Setup Feature is pro­vided to customize the operating settings using the
Front Panel Display. Refer to the MA8000 Front Panel
Illustration on the previous page while performing an
introduction into operating the Setup Mode, follow the
steps below.

Note: If the MA8000 is currently On, proceed to

step 2.

1. Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button on the Front

Panel or press the (Power) Push-button on the

Remote Control to switch On the MA8000. The
MA8000 will go through a brief startup intial­ization with the Front Panel Display indicating
the last used source and volume setting. This is
followed by the volume setting indication starting
at zero and then increasing to the last used volume
setting. Refer to figure 1.

3. Now rotate the INPUT CONTROL Clockwise
until the Front Panel Display indicates “McIntosh
USB AUDIO, V_.__ Firmware”. Refer to figure 3
and to page 18 for additional information.

McIntosh USB Audio
V_.__

Figure 3

4. Next, rotate the INPUT CONTROL Clockwise
again until the Front Panel Display indicates
“SETUP: SOURCE INPUT, CD :RCA” Refer to
figure 4.

CD : RCA

Figure 4

5. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display. Refer to figure 1.

Default Settings

Default Settings

TRIG 1 Output

(Act ion)

TRIG 2 Output

(Act ion)

COMM PORT

(Baud Rate)

REMOTE

(Codes)

POWER MODE

(Auto Off)

Note: Setup Mode operations should be performed

in the order they appear in the Setup Menu as
they are interactive.

MAIN

MAIN

115200

NORM

ENABLED

Setup

20

20

21

22

22

15%

Figure 1

2. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates “MA8000 V_.__,
S/N: _______”. The information indicated on the
Front Panel Display includes the Model Number,
Firmware Version and the Serial Number for this
unit; see page 18 for additional information. Refer
to figure 2.

MA8000 V_.__
S/N: _______

Figure 2

The Default Settings Chart below indicates the Func­tion Name, Default Setting and the Page Number for
additional information.

Default Settings

Function Name Setting Page No.

MA8000
McIntosh USB Audio V_.__ 18

SOURCE INPUT

(Reassignment)

SOURCE NAME
(Re-asign

Input Names)

PASSTHRU OFF 20

V_._ _

S/N: _ _ _ _ _ _ _

RCA

_____________
_____________

>>

18

18

19

17

SETUP: SOURCE INPUT

Source Input ReassignmentFirmware Version

The MA8000 functionality is controlled by internal
software that is know as Firmware. The MA8000
has two different Firmwares, one is the “System
Firmware” (responsible for the basic operation of the
MA8000) and the other known as USB Audio Firm­ware (responsible for the “USB Connection and Con­version” of a Digital Audio Signal from the Comput-

er). The Version of the Firmwares in the MA8000 can

be identified at any time by utilizing the Setup Mode.

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates “MA8000 V_.__,
S/N: _______”. The number after the “V” is the
firmware version and the number after the “S/N”
is the serial number of the unit. Refer to figure 2.

MA8000 V_.__
S/N: _______

Figure 2

2. The number after the character “V” is the Firm­ware number.

3. Rotate the INPUT CONTROL Clockwise until
the Front Panel Display indicates “McIntosh USB
AUDIO, V2.10 or higher USB Audio Firmware”.
Refer to figure 3.

McIntosh USB Audio
V_.__

Figure 3

4. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

The MA8000 provides the ability to reassign High

Level Inputs (non-Phono) to either the Balanced Input

or one of the two Digital Inputs.
In the first example, the CD Input will be reassigned

from the unbalanced CD (RCA Jacks) to the BAL-

ANCED 1L and 1R Connectors (XRL).

Notes: 1. Any one of the Default Inputs may be switched

Off. If any input is switched Off its name will
no longer appear on the Front Panel Display
when using the INPUT Control, nor is it acces­sible with the Remote Control.

2. The Phono Input MC (Moving Coil) and Phono
Input MM (Moving Magnet) are designed for
connection of a turntable only and thus non­reassignable. However, the Phono Inputs may
be switched Off.

3. Only one Input may be assigned at a time to
the Balanced (1 or 2) or Digital (1, 2, 3 or 4)
Connectors. If an already assigned Balanced
or Digital connector is to be reassigned to a
different Input, the Input currently assigned
to the connector first needs to be changed. It
can be temporarily set to Off, RCA connector,
available Balanced or available Digital con­nector.

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL and
select the Setup Menu item “SETUP: SOURCE
INPUT, CD :RCA”. Refer to figure 4.

SETUP: SOURCE INPUT
CD : RCA

Figure 4

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
SOURCE INPUT, CD :BALANCED 1” appears
on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 5.

SETUP: SOURCE INPUT
CD : BALANCED 1

Figure 5

The second example will illustrate reassigning the

CD2 Input (connected to a SACD/CD Player) from
CD2 Input (RCA Jacks) to the DIGital 1 Optical Input.

3. Press the VOLUME Control and the CD Input will
change to the CD2 INPUT. The Front Panel Dis­play will now indicate “SETUP: SOURCE INPUT,
CD2 :RCA”. Refer to figure 6.

SETUP: SOURCE INPUT
CD2 : RCA

Figure 6

4. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
SOURCE INPUT, CD2 :DIGITAL 1” appears on
the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 7.

CD2 : DIGITAL 1

Figure 7

Record any changes made to the various inputs from
the default settings in the “Input and Power Control
Settings” chart for future reference.

5. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

18

Setup, con’t

SETUP: SOURCE NAME

SETUP: SOURCE NAME

SETUP: SOURCE NAME

AUX >> MY-PHONE

SETUP: SOURCE NAME

SETUP: SOURCE NAME

Input and Power Control Settings

Input Name Connec-

tion Type

TUNER
CD
CD2
DVD
AUX

SRVR (Rec)

PHONO (MC)

PHONO (MM)

New Level

(Trim)

Triggers

1 2

Source Input Renaming

The MA8000 Default Input Names (CD, AUX, DVD,

etc. as indicated on the Front Panel Display) can be

customized with a different name up to nine charac-

ters long (My Phone, MCD1100, etc.). The available

characters for renaming the input include the follow­ing: ! < > * , / - _ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F G H
I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z .
In the following example, the AUX Input will be re­named to “MY-PHONE”.

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL and
select the Setup Menu item “SETUP: SOURCE
NAME, AUX >> AUX”. Refer to figure 8.

2. Press and hold the VOLUME Control until the
character “A” of the name AUX starts flashing.
Refer to figure 9.

AUX >> AUX

Figure 9

3. Rotate the VOLUME Control until the character
“M” appears. Refer to figure 10.

AUX >> MUX

Figure 10

4. Press the the VOLUME Control until the character
“U” starts flashing. Refer to figure 11.

AUX >> MUX

Figure 11

5. Rotate the VOLUME Control until the character
“Y” appears. Refer to figure 12.

AUX >> MYX

Figure 12

6. Repeat steps 3 thru 5 until the new name of “MY­PHONE” is indicated on the Front Panel Display.
Refer to figure 13.

SETUP: SOURCE NAME

SETUP: SOURCE NAME
AUX >> SAVED

Figure 14

Note: When direct accessing the “MY-PHONE”

Input using the Remote Control, press the AUX
Pushbutton.

Record any changes made to the various default Input
Names in the following chart for future reference.

8. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

Source Input Renaming

Default Input Name New Input Name

TUNER
CD
CD2
DVD
AUX

SRVR (Rec)

PHONO (MC)

PHONO (MM)

AUX >> AUX

Note: If the AUX Input is not displayed, press the

VOLUME Control repeatedly until it is dis­played.

Figure 8

Figure 13

7. To save the new Input Name press and hold the
VOLUME Control until the word SAVED appears
momentarily on the Front Panel Display. Refer to
figure 14.

19

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT

SETUP: PASSTHRU

Passthru

Source: AUX OFF

The MA8000 can be part of a Multichannel Sound
System for SACD, DVD-Audio and Home Theater.
The Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/
Video Control Center or Surround Decoder can
“Passthru” the Preamplifier Circuitry of the MA8000,
and then on to the Power Amplifier Circuitry of the
MA8000. The Setup Mode allows the activation of
the Passthru Mode and the selection of the speci­fied MA8000 Input Source. In the example below,
the Right and Left Front Channels from the Audio/
Video Control Center will be connected to the SRVR

(Server) Input Jacks on the MA8000. Refer to page 10

for additional connection information.

Notes: 1. The Phono Input Connectors and Digital Input

Connectors are not assignable as a Passthru
Input.

2. If the Balanced Input Connectors are already
reassigned to a given Input, they will not
appear in the list of available Inputs for the
Passthru Mode.

3. When one of the RCA Inputs is selected as a
Passthru Input, it is advisable to remove it
from the list of available Inputs by switching
it Off. Refer to “Source Inputs Reassignment”
starting on page 18.

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL and
select the Setup Menu item “SETUP: PASSTHRU,
Source: OFF”. Refer to figure 15.

Front Panel Alphanumeric Display. Refer to figure

16.

SETUP: PASSTHRU
Source: SRVR<RCA>

Figure 16

3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

Power Control Triggers 1 and 2

By default the Power Control TRIGger 1 and TRIGger
2 Outputs function the same as the MAIN Power Con­trol Jack, switching On/Off with the MA8000. Trig­ger 1 and 2 are also reassignable to activate when the
ACC ON/OFF Push-buttons on the Remote Control

are used, when a given Input (or Inputs) is selected or
when the Front Panel (or Remote Control) OUTPUT 1

or OUTPUT 2 Push-buttons are pressed.
EXAMPLE ONE:
The Power Control Trigger 1 Output will be set to
function via the Remote Control ACC Push-buttons.

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until
the Setup Menu item “SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT,
Action: MAIN” appears on the Front Panel Dis­play. Refer to figure 17.

Action: REMOTE

Figure 18

3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

EXAMPLE TWO:
This example will use selection of the Tuner FM Input
to switch the Trigger 1 Output On.

4. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until
the Setup Menu item “SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT,
Action: MAIN” appears on the Front Panel Dis­play. Refer to figure 17.

5. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
TRIG1 OUTPUT, Action: SOURCE” appears.
Refer to figure 20.

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT
Action: SOURCE

Figure 20

6. Rotate the INPUT Control until the first Source
Input Menu item “SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT,
Source: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ OFF” appears on the Front
Panel Display. Refer to figure 21.

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT

Source: OFF

Figure 15

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
PASSTHRU, Source: SRVR<RCA> appears on the

20

Action: MAIN

Figure 17

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
TRIG1 OUTPUT, Action: REMOTE” appears.
Refer to figure 18.

Figure 21

Notes: 1. By default all the Source Inputs are set to

Off.

2. Any combination of Source Inputs from
one to all may be assigned to either Trig­ger (1 or 2) or both Triggers.

7. Press the VOLUME Control repeatedly until the
Source Input Menu item “SETUP: TRIG1 OUT­PUT, Source: TUNER OFF” appears on the
Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 22.

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT
Source: Tuner OFF

Figure 22

8. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
TRIG1 OUTPUT, Source: TUNER ON” appears.
Refer to figure 23.

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT
Source: Tuner ON

Figure 23

9. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

EXAMPLE THREE:
The Trigger 1 and Trigger 2 Outputs will be assigned
to the OUTPUT 1 or OUTPUT 2 Push-buttons.

10. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until
the Setup Menu item “SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT,
Action: MAIN” appears on the Front Panel Dis­play. Refer to figure 17.

11. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
TRIG1 OUTPUT, Action: OUT 1” appears. Refer
to figure 24.

12. Rotate the INPUT CONTROL until the Setup
Menu item “SETUP: TRIG2 OUTPUT, Action:
MAIN” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer
to figure 25.

SETUP: TRIG2 OUTPUT
Action: MAIN

Figure 25

13. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
TRIG2 OUTPUT, Action: OUT 2 ” appears.
Refer to figure 26.

SETUP: TRIG2 OUTPUT
Action: OUT 2

Figure 26

Record any changes made to the various inputs from
the default settings in the “Input and Power Control
Settings” chart on page 19 for future reference.

14. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will
revert back to its normal display.

Setup, con’t

Comm Port Baud Rate

The MA8000 may be remotely controlled from other
equipment connected to the Rear Panel RS232C Jack.
The speed at which the MA8000 communicates (8 bit,
no parity and 1 stop bit) with other equipment is ad­justable from 9,600 bits per second to 115,200 bits per
second. To change from the default speed of 115,200
bits per second, perform the following steps:

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until
the Setup Menu item “SETUP: COMM PORT,
BAUD RATE: 115200” appears on the Front
Panel Display. Refer to figure 27.

SETUP: COMM PORT
BAUD RATE: 115200

Figure 27

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control to select the desired
speed.

3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will
revert back to its normal display.

SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT
Action: OUT 1

Figure 24

21

Remote Control Codes

SETUP: REMOTE

The Remote Control included with the MA8000
utilizes the NORMal McIntosh Control Codes. The
Second Set of Control Codes the MA8000 will re­spond to is referred to as the ALTernate Codes. When
the MA8000 is used in the same location as another
McIntosh Preamplifier and/or A/V Control Center,
the ALTernate Codes are used. This will prevent the
Remote Control from affecting the operation of both
units at the same time. To activate the Remote Control
ALTernate Codes perform the following steps:

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode
is active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL
until the Setup Menu item “SETUP: REMOTE,
CODES: NORM” appears on the Front Panel
Display. Refer to figure 27.

CODES: NORM

Figure 27

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control to select “SETUP:
REMOTE, CODES: ALT”. Refer to figure 28.

Note: To reset the Remote Control to normal

codes perform steps A and B then enter
3, 2, 4, 2 and 8 for step C.

5. Press the VOLUME UP/DOWN Push-button on
the Remote Control to verify proper operation.

Power Mode

The MA8000 incorporates an Auto Off Feature, which
automatically places the preamplifier into the Power
Saving Standby/Off Mode. This occurs approximately
30 minutes after there has been an absence of audible
audio signals on the selected input (on either chan-

nel) or user activity (includes changes to any of the

Operation Functions such as source selection, volume

adjustment, etc). If it is desirable to disable the Auto

Off Feature perform the following steps:

1. Press and hold the INPUT CONTROL until the
Front Panel Display indicates the Setup Mode is
active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until
the Setup Menu item “SETUP: POWER MODE,
Auto Off: Enabled” appears on the Front Panel
Display. Refer to figure 29.

SETUP: REMOTE
CODES: ALT

Figure 28

3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will
revert back to its normal display.

4. To change the MA8000 Remote Control to the

Alternate Codes perform the following steps:

A. Press the “Mc” Push-button.
B. Press the SET Push-button until the “Mc” Push-

button flashes twice.

C. Press the 3, 2, 4, 2 and 9 Push-buttons within 5

seconds.

D. The “Mc” Push-button flashes twice.

22

Figure 29

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP:
POWER MODE, Auto Off: Disabled” appears on
the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 30.

Figure 30

3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT
CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert
back to its normal display.

Setup, con’t and notes

23

How to Operate the MA8000

SOURCE: SERVER

Power On and Off

The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button
lights to indicate the MA8000 is in Standby mode.
To switch ON the MA8000, Press the STANDBY/ON

Push-button on the Front Panel or press the (Power)

Push-button on the Remote Control. The MA8000 will
go through a brief startup intialization with the Front
Panel Displays indicating Power Guard is active, last
used source and volume setting. This is followed by
the volume setting indication starting at zero and then
increasing to the last used volume setting. Refer to
figures 50, 51, 52 and 53. To switch OFF the MA8000,
press the STANDBY/ON Push-button on the Front
Panel or the OFF Push-button on the Remote Control.

Note: For an explanation of the Remote Control

Push-button functions, refer to pages 14 and 15.

SOURCE: CD
15%

Figure 51

30%

Figure 52

Source Selection

Rotate the INPUT Control to select the desired source
or press the appropriate push-button on the Remote
Control. Refer to figures 50 and 53.

Volume Control

Rotate the Front Panel VOLUME Control or use the
VOLUME Upp or Downq Push-buttons on the Re-
mote Control for the desired listening level. Refer to
figures 50 and 53.

Trim Functions

The MA8000 has various Trim Selections with Ad­justments. The Trim Functions include Balance, Trim

Level, Equalizer Mode, Mono/Stereo, Phono (MC),
Phono (MM), Display Brightness, Digital Audio and

Meter Backlight. The Trim
Settings are stored in memory
independently for each Input
Source Selected, except the
Meter Illumination and Digital
Audio Display settings of On
or Off, which are the same for
all inputs.

The selection and adjust­ment of all Trim Functions
may be performed by first
pressing the Front Panel
INPUT/TRIM Control. Then
rotate the INPUT/TRIM Con­trol to select the desired Trim
Function. This is followed
by rotating the VOLUME/
ADJUST Control to make a
change/adjustment in the Trim
Setting.

The Remote Control TRIM
Push-Button together with the
LEVEL + / - Push-button may
also be used. Refer to figures
50 and 53.
After approximately 5 seconds
the Display returns to indi­cate the Source Selection and
Volume Level.

24

Figure 50

BALANCE
Listening balance varies with

Figure 53

different program sources,
room acoustics and listening positions relative to the

Loudspeakers. Use the Balance (Trim Function) as

needed to achieve approximately equal listening vol-

How to Operate the MA8000

BALANCE: 0 dB

TUNER : Enable

Min || Max

ume levels in each Loudspeaker. To adjust the Balance
perform the following:

1. Press the TRIM Push-button repeatedly on the
Remote Control until “BALANCE 0 dB” appears
on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 54.

||

Figure 54

Note: The Front Panel INPUT/TRIM Control may also

be used.

2. Rotate the VOLUME Control or press the LEVEL
+ / - Push-buttons on the Remote Control to em-

phasize the Right Channel (refer to figure 55) or
the Left Channel (refer to figure 56).

¦¦¦¦¦

¦

¦¦¦

Figure 55

¦¦¦

¦¦¦¦¦

¦

¦

Figure 56

The Front Panel Display indicates the Balance changes
in steps from 0 to 50dB. After approximately 5 sec­onds, the Display returns to indicate the Source Selec­tion and Volume Level. To verify the Balance setting
without changing it, use the TRIM Push-button and
select Balance.

EQUALIZER MODE
The built-in five band Frequency Equalizer provides
more precise adjustment of sound than Bass and
Treble Controls. By default the Equalizer is active for
all Input Sources however, any Input Source may be
assigned to bypass the Equalizer. To bypass the Equal-

¦

izer for a given Input Source, perform the following
steps:

Note: The audio signal present at the RECORD OUT

Jacks is unaffected by the Equalizer settings.

1. Select the desired Input Source.

2. Select “EQUALIZER MODE, ______: Enable” as
indicated on the Front Panel Information Display.
Refer to figure 57.

EQUALIZER MODE

Figure 57

3. Set the EQUALIZER MODE to be either enabled
or bypassed. Refer to figure 58.

EQUALIZER MODE
TUNER : Bypass

Figure 58

After approximately 5 seconds the Information
Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and
Volume Level.

TRIM LEVEL
Source Components can have slightly different volume
levels resulting in the need to readjust the MA8000
Volume Control when switching between different
sources. The MA8000 allows the adjustment of levels
for each of the Source Inputs for the desired same rela­tive volume. The CD and SERVER Inputs are used in
the following example.

Note: The range of adjustment is ± 6dB. The signal Level

present at the RECORD OUT Jacks is unaffected
by any changes in the Setup Level adjustment. The
level adjustments made are retained in permanent
memory. They can be changed during operation of
the MA8000 by performing a Trim Level Proce­dure.

1. Press the CD Push-button on the Remote Control
and press the VOLume Push-button +/- for the
desired listening level.

2. Repeatedly press the TRIM Push-button on the
Remote Control until “TRIM LEVEL: 0.0dB,
Min Max” appears on the Front Panel Display.
Refer to figure 59.

Note: The CD Input is serving as a reference level

or choose another source frequently listened
to. The Input Source should be set to a refer­ence Level (Trim) of 0.0dB.

TRIM LEVEL: 0.0 dB

Figure 59

3. Press the SERVER Push-button on the Remote

Control and note if the relative volume is louder
or quieter than the volume level of the CD.

4. Repeatedly press the TRIM Push-button on the

Remote Control until “TRIM LEVEL: 0.0dB,
Min Max” appears on the Front Panel Display.
Refer to figure 59.

5. Press the TRIM LEVEL +/-Push-button on the

Remote Control to achive the same relative vol­ume as the CD Input. In our example the relative
volume level of the Server Input is louder than the
CD Input, so the trim level for the Server Input is
reduced to -2.5 dB. Refer to figure 60.

TRIM LEVEL: -2.5 dB
Min |||||| Max

Figure 60

6. Repeat steps 1 thru 4 until the relative volume is

the same between the CD and SERVER Inputs.

7. Repeat the above steps for the remaining inputs
with component sources connected until they

25

How to Operate the MA8000, con’t

Moving Coil: 200 Ohm

Moving Magnet: 50pF

all have the same relative volume levels. Record
any changes made to the various inputs from the
default settings in the “Input and Power Control

Settings” chart on page 19.
After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to
indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.

MONO/STEREO MODE
By default the Stereo Mode is active for all Input
Sources however, any Input Source may be assigned
to Mono Mode. To change Stereo Mode to Mono for a
given Input Source, perform the following steps:

1. Select the desired Input by using the direct access
Input Push-button on the Remote Control.

2. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Con­trol until “MONO/STEREO MODE, _ _ _ _ _ _ :
Stereo” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer
to figure 61.

MONO / STEREO MODE
TUNER : Stereo

Figure 61

3. Press TRIM LEVEL + / - Push-button to select the
MONO Mode. Refer to figure 62.

MONO / STEREO MODE
TUNER : Mono

Figure 62

After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to
indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.

PHONO ADJUSTMENTS

When the Phono Input (MC) or Phono Input (MM) is

selected, an additional TRIM SELECT FUNCTION
becomes available for adjustment. Perform the follow­ing steps to make the Phono Trim Adjustments:

1. Select either Phono (MC) or Phono (MM) Source

Input.

2. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Con­trol until “PHONO CARTRIDGE, Moving Coil:
200 Ohm” or “PHONO CARTRIDGE, Moving
Magnet: 50pf” appears on the Front Panel Display.
Refer to figures 63A and 63B.

PHONO CARTRIDGE

Figure 63A

PHONO CARTRIDGE

Figure 63B

3. Press TRIM LEVEL + / - Push-button to select the
desired phono cartridge loading value (Ohms for a
Moving Coil Cartridge or Capacitance for a Mov-

ing Magnet Cartridge) that comes closest to the

Phono Cartridge makers recommended value.

After approximately 5 seconds the Alphanumeric

Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and
Volume Level.

DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
The Front Panel Display Brightness may be changed
from the default setting. The MA8000 will remem­ber two brightness preferences, one with the Meters
Illuminated and one without Meter Illumination. For
each preference there are four brightness settings for
the Display. The Display Brightness setting may be

varied 1 (Dim) to 4 (Bright). Follow the steps below

for reducing the Display Brightness (with the Meter

Illumination On):

1. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Con-

trol until “DISPLAY, Bightness: 3” appears on the
Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 64.

26

DISPLAY

Brightness: 3

Figure 64

2. Press TRIM LEVEL + / - Push-button to select the

desired Brightness.

Figure 50

Display Info : On

How to Operate the MA8000, con’t

Display Info : Off

METER BACKLIGHT

SOURCE: CD

Note: To change the Display Brightness preference

with Meter Illumination Off, first switch Off
the Meter Illumination and then change the
Display Brightness Setting.

After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to
indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.

DIGITAL AUDIO DISPLAY
By default the Digital Audio Display is switched Off.
To display information about the type of digital signal
present when any one of the three digital inputs is
selected, perform the following steps:

1. Select one of the Inputs assigned to an active digital
source.

Note: The USB-D/A Input may also be selected when

the MA8000 is connected to a computer.

2. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Con­trol until “DIGITAL AUDIO, Display Info: On”
is indicated on the Front Panel Display. Refer to
figure 65.

DIGITAL AUDIO

Figure 65

3. If it is not desirable to display the information, use
the TRIM LEVEL + / - Push-button to switch it
Off. Refer to figure 66.

DIGITAL AUDIO

Figure 66

After approximately 5 seconds the Display will return
to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.

METER BACKLIGHT
The MA8000 Front Panel Meter Illumination may be
switched On or Off by performing the following:

1. Press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote
Control until “METER BACKLIGHT, Lights:
On” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to
figure 67.

Lights: On

Figure 67

2. Press TRIM LEVEL + / - Push-button to switch
Off the Meter Illumination. Refer to figure 68.

METER BACKLIGHT
Lights: Off

Figure 68

After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to
indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.

Notes: 1. For information on how the Front Panel

Display Brightness can change with the Meter
Illumination On/Off Setting, refer to page 26
“Display Brightness”.

2. Meter Illumination of recent McIntosh Power
Amplifiers will also switch On/Off when con-

nected to the MA8000 via a power control cable.

Equalizer Bypass

Press the Front Panel EQ BYPASS Push-button to
remove the MA8000 Equalizer Control Circuitry from
the signal path for the currently selected Input Source.
The LED above the EQ BYPASS Push-button will il­luminate. Refer to figure 50. The MA8000 remembers
for each selected Input whether the Equalizer Control
Circuitry is deactivated. To reactivate the Equalizer
Control Circuitry for the currently selected Input
Source press the EQ BYPASS Push-button.

Note: 1. The audio signal present at the RECORD OUT

Jacks is unaffected by the Tone Circuitry.

2. The EQ BYPASS can also be accessed by the
TRIM Function, refer to page 24.

Trim

Press the Front Panel INPUT/TRIM Control to acti­vate the MA8000 Trim Functions. Rotate the Front
Panel INPUT/TRIM Control to select the desired Trim
Function and then rotate the VOLUME/ADJUST Con­trol to vary or make changes. Refer to figure 50. The
Remote Control TRIM and LEVEL +/- Push-buttons
may also be used. Approximately 5 seconds after Trim
Function Selection and/or adjustments have stopped,
the MA8000 will switch off the Trim Mode.

Mute

Press the MUTE Push-button to Mute the Audio in

Output 1 (Loudspeakers), Output 2 and Headphones.

The audio signals present at the REC OUTPUT jacks
are not effected by activating the mute function. The
Front Panel Display will indicate the Source Name and
with the word MUTE in place of the actual volume
setting. Refer to figure 69.

MUTE

Figure 69

Pressing the Mute Push-button a second time
or adjusting the volume control will un-mute the
MA8000.

Headphones Jack

Connect a pair of dynamic headphones to the Head­phones Jack for private listening. Press OUTPUT
1 and/or 2 Push-buttons to mute the Loudspeakers.
Refer to figure 50.

Note: The Headphone Output is optimized for imped-

ances ranging from 20 to 600 ohms.

27

How to Operate the MA8000, con’t

Power Output Meters

The MA8000 Power Output Meters indicate the power
delivered to the Loudspeakers. Refer to figure 70.

Figure 70

The meters respond to all the musical information
being produced by the Amplifier. They indicate to an
accuracy of at least 95% of the power output with only
a single cycle of a 2,000Hz tone burst.

Power Guard

During normal operation, the Front Panel Power
Guard Indicators will momentarily illuminate during
peaks in the audio signals. In the event the MA8000

over heats, due to improper ventilation, high ambient
temperature and/or impedance mismatch, the inter­nal protection circuits will activate. The Front Panel
Power Guard Indicators will continuously illuminate
and the audio will be muted. When the MA8000 has
returned to a safe operating temperature, normal op­eration will resume.

How To Make a Recording

1. Select the desired signal source you wish to record
by using the Front Panel INPUT Control or the
appropriate Source Push-button on the Remote
Control.

2. Adjust the record level using the recorder volume
control and proceed with the recording process.

3. To listen to the playback of the program source just
recorded select the SERVER Input.

Note: The MA8000 REC OUTPUTS are not affected

by the VOLUME, BALANCE or TONE Control
Settings.

Using a Separate Power Amplifier

There are two different ways to use a separate power
amplifier with a MA8000. The first way is to use the
separate amplifier instead of the MA8000 built-in
Power Amplifier. Connect the Loudspeakers to the
separate power amplifier and remove the McIntosh
Jumpers that are
located between

Jumpers

the OUTPUTS
1 Jacks and the
PWR AMP IN­PUT Jacks. Refer
to figure 71.

Note: The

McIntosh Jumpers must be connected, between the
above mentioned jacks, when the MA8000 Internal
Power Amplifier is to be used.

Figure 71

The second way is to use both a separate power ampli­fier and the MA8000 built-in Power Amplifier. Con­nect one pair of Loudspeakers to the separate power
amplifier and the second pair to the MA8000. Refer
to the MA8000
Output Connec­tion Diagrams
located on the
separate folded
sheet “Mc2B”

Figure 72

and figure 72.

Note: The MA8000 VOLUME Control will affect the

sound level of all the Loudspeakers.

28

Using Output 2

The MA8000 has provisions for connecting an exter­nal Power Amplifier (to drive Loudspeakers in another

room) and an external sensor for remote operation of

the MA8000 from that room. With an external Power
Amplifier connected (as illustrated on the McIntosh

Figure 50

Connection Diagram separate sheet “Mc2B”), press

STRINGS

KETTLE DRUMS

BRASS

WOODWINDS

SINGING VOICE

the Front Panel OUTPUT 2 Push-button or press on
the Remote Control the 2nd Push-button followed by
pressing the OUTPUT 2 Push-button to switch On or
Off the external Power Amplifier.

How to Operate the MA8000, con’t

Fundamental Frequencies of Acoustical Musical Instruments and the Human Voice

SOPRANO

CONTRALTO

TENOR

BARITONE

BASS

Passthru

When the MA8000 is connected together with a Mc­Intosh Multichannel A/V Control Center or Surround
Decoder and has the PASSTHRU Mode activated, it
will automatically switch On when the A/V Control
Center or Surround Decoder is switched On. It will
indicate on the Front Panel Display “PASSTHRU”.
Refer to figure 73.

Figure 73

The MA8000 OUTPUT 1 / OUTPUT 2 Front Panel
Push-buttons are active when in the Passthru Mode.
The other Front Panel Controls and Push-buttons are
deactivated as long as the Passthru Mode is active.

Equalizer Controls

The MA8000 Equalizer has eight Frequency Controls
which will raise or lower by 12dB, the amplitude of
the band of frequencies centered at the frequency
marked above the controls. The center frequencies
of these controls are at 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz,
400Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,500Hz and 10,000Hz. Both Left
and Right Channels are affected. At the center detent
or flat position of the controls, the tone circuit compo­nents are removed from the signal path.

The illustration to the right shows the fundamental
frequency range of acoustical musical instruments and
the human voice. It also shows the range of adjustment

25Hz

50Hz

100Hz

CONTRABASSOON

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

BASS

400Hz

200Hz

ENGLISH HORN

BASS CLARINET

ALTO SAXOPHONE IN B

BASSOON

B TRUMPET

FRENCH HORN IN F

TENOR TROMBONE
BASS TROMBONE IN F
TUBA

GUITAR

CELLO

1kHz

PICCOLO

FLUTE

OBOE

B CLARINET

HARP

VIOLIN

VIOLA

PIANO

2.5kHz

10kHz

29

How to Operate the MA8000, con’t

FACTORY RESET

of frequencies for each of the Equalizer Controls of
the MA8000 at the +6dB and -6dB points.

Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs

When a Digital Input (Optical or Coaxial Connection)

on the MA8000 is selected the Front Panel Display
will indicate when a signal is present “2CH PCM”.
Refer to figure 74. During the time there is no Digital

Figure 74

Signal present the display will indicate “SILENT”.
Refer to figure 75.

Figure 75

USB Input Operation with a Computer

The MA8000 USB-D/A Input provides the capability
to playback music from a computer, when the com­puter is connected to the rear panel USB D/A connec­tor. The MA8000 USB Input is compatible with both
PC Computers using Microsoft® Windows® (XP with
Service Pack 3, Vista with Service Pack 1 and Win-

dows 7) and the Apple

OS-10.6 with the latest update.

When using a PC Computer with Windows, a spe­cial McIntosh USB Audio Software Driver A needs to
be installed on the PC Computer. The driver needs to
be installed before connecting the MA8000 USB Input
to an USB Port on the computer.

Note: If an Apple Macintosh computer is used with the

MA8000, no additional driver is required.

The McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver A

®

Macintosh® Computers using

and Installation and Opera­tion Guide are available for
download from the McIntosh
Web Site:

http://www.mcintosh-

labs.com/us/
support/Pages/
Manuals.aspx

Under “Product Catego­ry” select Integrated Am­plifiers and under “Model

USB Audio Windows Driver A Version 1.0

Installation and Operation Guide

Mcn osh La o to y nc 2 Ch m es S eet B ngh mon New Yok 1390 -2 99 Phone [phone] wwwmc no h bs com

Number” select MA8000,
then click on “Select”. When the MA8000 informa­tion appears, download the “McIntosh Audio Win­dows Driver A Installation and Operation Guide” and
“McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver A Version _ .
_”. Follow the instructions in the Guide and after the
USB Driver is installed, connect the MA8000 to the
PC Computer.

Note: When computer application programs and vari-

ous computer hardware components conform to
the Microsoft® Windows® and Apple® Macintosh®

standards, they should also work well when used
in conjunction with the MA8000 USB Input. If
you are experiencing difficulty with a specific
computer hardware component or computer ap­plication program, contact the manufacturer of
the product.

The MA8000 Front Panel Display will indicate the
Bit and Sampling Rate of the incoming digital signal.
Refer to figure 76.

SOURCE: USB-D/A
15% 24/96k

Figure 76

How to Operate the MA8000, con’t

Reset of Microprocessors

In the unlikely event the controls of the MA8000 stop
functioning, the microprocessors can be reset by per­forming the following:

1. Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button until the
STANDBY/ON Indicator switches Off.

2. When the MA8000 cycles On then Off, release the
STANDBY/ON Push-button.

3. When the STANDBY/ON LED is illuminated
press the STANDBY/ON Push-button, the
MA8000 will resume normal operation.

Note: This can be performed with the MA8000 On or

in the Standby Mode.

Resetting the MA8000 to default settings

If it becomes desirable to reset all the adjustable set-

tings (Setup and Trim Settings) to the factory default

values, perform the following:

1. Press in and hold the INPUT/TRIM Control and
the VOLUMES/ADJUST Control. The Front Panel
Display will indicate “FACTORY RESET”. Refer
to figure 77.

Figure 77

2. When the Front Panel Display indicates “FAC­TORY RESET, COMPLETE” release the two
controls. Refer to figure 78.

FACTORY RESET

-COMPLETE-

Figure 78

3. Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button and the
MA8000 will resume operation.

30

31

Technical Description

McIntosh Laboratory, the company who introduced
the world’s first amplifier that could be called “High
Fidelity”, has done it again. The McIntosh engineering
staff has created a power amplifier without com­promise, using the most advanced McIntosh circuit
design concepts.

MA8000 Top View

A continuous average power output rating of 300
watts and with an output current of greater than 50
amperes per channel, making this the most advanced
Integrated Amplifier McIntosh has ever manufac­tured. The distortion limits for the MA8000 are no
more than 0.005% at rated power output for all fre-

quencies from 20Hz to
20,000Hz. Typical perfor­mance at mid frequencies
is less than 0.002%. The
true distortion readings on
the MA8000 are so low,
it takes special measuring
techniques to make accu­rate readings. The MA8000
can deliver the best possible
performance from any type
of high quality loudspeaker
system.

Creating an Integrated
Amplifier with this level of
performance did not come
easily. Many months of
design, testing and measur­ing were required. Exten­sive controlled listening
tests, the ultimate form
of measuring, were made
before the final design was
accepted.

Preamplifier Design Philosophy

Electro-Magnetic Switching is a proven technology
using the latest in materials and manufacturing meth­ods. Each switch consists of a glass tube filled with
an inert oxygen-free atmosphere and sealed with tiny
leads protruding from ei­ther end. Refer to figure 79.
These leads extend into the
tube and overlap one an­other with a separation of a
few thousandths of an inch.
The leads are made from a

Figure 79

ferrous material that is influenced by a magnetic field.
They are first plated with gold as a base material, then
with rhodium and finally ruthenium. Ruthenium is the
best contact material known.

The glass assembly is then placed in the center of
a multilayer coil of copper wire. The entire assembly
is molded together in a tough shock absorbing mate­rial. The switch and coil connectors extend from the
bottom in the form of printed circuit board terminals.
When a DC voltage is applied to the coil, current
flows and creates a magnetic field. The force of the
field causes the leads to bend and contact one another
inside the sealed glass tube. The inert gas eliminates
corrosion of the contacts and insures a low resistance,
distortion free switch. All Audio Signal Switching in
the MA8000 is done by 35 Electro-Magnetic devices.
Refer to figure 80.

Volume Adjustments

The most frequently operated control on a Integrated
Amplifier is the Volume Control. The desired volume
level can vary by the type of music, size of our listen­ing room and even the time of day with which we
listen. So it is no surprise that McIntosh has devoted

32

Technical Description

a substantial amount of time in pursuit of the “Perfect
Volume Control System”.

A conventional Mechanical Potentiometer for a
volume control
is totally unac­ceptable for use
in the MA8000.
Mechanical
Controls have
poor track­ing especially
when it comes
to maintaining
channel bal­ance and after a
period of time
they tend to
introduce noise
into the audio
signal, as they
are rotated. The
one desirable
thing they have

Figure 80

is the rate of
change in volume for degrees of rotation, known as
the audio taper. Using Electronic Circuitry for control­ling the volume can be designed to be free from noise
and maintain channel balance, however the audio ta­per produced by the typical Electronical Volume Con­trol Circuit is unacceptable for use in the MA8000, as
it does not match the classic McIntosh Volume Control
Audio Taper. The MA8000 incorporates electronic
circuitry together with sophisticated firmware to
produce electronically the classic McIntosh Volume
Control Audio Taper, while maintaining the channel
balance and freedom from control noise.

The Volume Control on the Front Panel of the
MA8000 produces a series of digital pulses. The num­ber of these digital pulses are counted by a Micropro­cessor which in turn controls a Precision Electronic
Attenuator. This provides a logarithmic change in
volume and maintains the channel balance throughout
the volume control range. The benefits of the digi­tally controlled volume attenuator is wide dynamic
range, low distortion and low noise. Refer to figure 81
for the Block Diagram of the MA8000 Preamplifier

DIGITAL
INPUTS

LEFT
REC

OUTPUT

PHONO MC

PHONO MM

DIG
DIG 3
DIG 2
DIG 1

USB-D/A

PHONO MM

PHONO MC

RIGHT

REC

OUTPUT

RS232

BAL
TO

UNBAL

BAL
TO

UNBAL

AUX
TUN

RIAA
AMP

RIAA
AMP

S/PDIF

RECEIVER

SAMPLE

RATE

CONVERTER

USB

DECODER

RIAA
AMP

RIAA
AMP

TUN
AUX

BAL
TO

UNBAL

BAL
TO

UNBAL

BALANCED

32-Bit/192kHz

DAC

OUTPUT
MUTING

OUTPUT
MUTING

MA8000 Preamplier and Micro Controller Block Diagram

BUFFER

BUFFER

and Micro Controller.

Moving Coil Preamplifier

One of the popular types of Phono Cartridges for
Turntables used today are “Moving Coil”. Due to their
design, the Moving Coil Cartridge’s output voltage is
typically in the range of 300 to 500 microvolts (mil­lionth of a volt) and thus requires additional amplifica­tion in order to match the output voltage of a “Moving
Magnet/Induced Moving Magnet” cartridge type with

OUTPUT
MUTING

OUTPUT
MUTING

OUTPUT
MUTING

UNBAL

BAL

UNBAL

BAL

TO

TO

OUTPUT
MUTING

OUTPUT
MUTING

OUTPUT
MUTING

OUTPUT

2 BAL

OUTPUT

2 BAL

EQUALIZER

BYPASS
SWITCH

8-BAND

EQUALIZER

8-BAND

EQUALIZER

EQUALIZER

BYPASS
SWITCH

Figure 81

6

6

TO

POWER
AMPLIFIER
CONTROL

33

2.5 to 10 millivolts (thousandths of a volt). The lower

the output voltage of the cartridge, the greater the
level of amplification required and thus the greater
potential for higher noise levels being generated by the
circuitry.

McIntosh has designed special ultra low noise
circuitry and thus no need for a step-up transformer. A
separate power supply is used just for the Moving Coil
Preamplifier Circuitry. The MA8000 offers the abil­ity to change the Moving Coil Input Impedance from
50 ohms to 1000 ohms in five steps to match a wide
variety of Moving Coil Cartridges.

received from the Front Panel Controls or the supplied
Remote Controls and indicates them on the Front
Panel Display. Refer to figure 82.

When McIntosh Source Components are connected
to MA8000 Data Ports, basic command functions
from the MA8000 Remote Control are passed on to
those components, thus allowing one Remote Control
to operate an entire McIntosh Audio System.

Equalizer

The equalizer section uses several high technology
operational amplifiers. The amplifier stage has been

optimized for the best transient performance and
minimum distortion. Refer to figure 83. Eight other
operational amplifiers are arranged in a circuit con­figuration that is the equivalent of a series turned cir­cuit. A control potentiometer inserts this series tuned

Figure 83

Logic Controlled Circuitry

All Inputs, Outputs, Data Ports, Power Control
Outputs and Trigger Outputs are controlled by Logic
Circuits in the MA8000. The microprocessor is the
heart of the Logic Circuits and is controlled by McIn­tosh developed software. It implements all commands

Figure 82

MA8000 Power Amplier Block Diagram

AMPLIF ER
FROM
MICRO

CONTROLLER

CONTROL

OUTPUT

AUTOFORMER

OUTPUT

AUTOFORMER

(+)
(+)
(+)

(-)

(+)
(+)
(+)

(-)

34

Figure 84

Technical Description, con’t

circuit into either the feedback or input section of the
equalizer amplifier. This provides a 12dB boost or cut
at the frequency of the tuned circuit. The overall gain
of the stage is 0dB when the potentiometer is at its
center detent position. In this position the tone control
elements are completely removed from the signal path.

Power Amplifier Design Philosophy

The design philosophy incorporated in the MA8000
involved several different techniques, all based on
sound scientific logic. Every stage of voltage or cur­rent amplification must be as linear as possible prior
to the use of negative feedback. McIntosh engineers
know how to properly design negative feedback cir­cuits so they contribute to the extremely low distortion
performance expected from a McIntosh Amplifier.
The typical McIntosh owner would never accept the
approximately 100 times higher distortion of many
non-feedback designs. Refer to figure 84.

All transistors are selected to have nearly constant
current gain over the entire current range they must
cover. The 12 Power Transistors used in each channel
of the MA8000 Power Output Circuitry, have matched
uniform current gain, high current bandwidth product
and a large active region safe operating area. These
Power Transistors are the very latest in semiconductor
technology and incorporate a new design
known as ThermalTrak™. Refer to figure

85. This allows for the instantaneous and
accurate monitoring of the Power Tran­sistor Temperature. The MA8000 Power
Output Circuitry has a specially designed
bias circuit to take full advantage of the
ThermalTrak™ Power Transistors and
thus precisely controls the power ampli­fier operation over a wide range of music

Figure 85

conditions with the benefits of lower distortion and
cooler operation. Precision metal film resistors and
low dielectric absorption film capacitors are used in
all critical circuit locations. Refer to figure 86

Figure 86

The output signal of the circuit is coupled together
in the unique McIntosh MA8000 Output Autoformer.
It provides low distortion power transfer at frequen­cies from below 20Hz to well beyond 20,000Hz with
optimum impedance points of two ohms, four ohms
and eight ohms. The unequaled expertise of McIntosh
in the design and manufacturing of autoformers is
legendary in the high fidelity industry.

The high efficiency circuit design of the MA8000
contributes to low operating temperatures. More
than 1,000 square inches of heat sink area keep the
MA8000 operating safely with convection cooling. No
fans are needed.

Autoformers

All solid state power amplifier output circuits work
best into what is called an optimum load. This op­timum load may vary considerably from what a
loudspeaker requires. In the case of more than one
loudspeaker connected in parallel, the load to the
power amplifier may drop to two ohms or even less. A
power amplifier connected to a load that is lower than
optimum, causes more output current to flow, which
results in extra heat being generated in the power out­put stage. This increase in temperature will result in a
reduced life expectancy for the amplifier.

The Autoformer creates an ideal match between
the power
amplifier output
stage and the
loudspeaker.
Refer to figure

87. There is
absolutely no
performance
limitation with
an Autoformer.
Its frequency
response ex­ceeds that of
the output cir­cuit itself, and
extends well
beyond the au­dible range. Its
distortion level

Figure 87

35

is so low it is virtually impossible to measure. In the
rare event of a power amplifier output circuit failure,
the McIntosh Autoformer provides absolute protection
from possible damage to your valuable loudspeakers.

Power Output Meter

The McIntosh MA8000 has large Output Watt Meters
that respond 95% full scale to a single cycle tone burst
at 2kHz. Refer to figure 88. The Voltage Output is

Figure 88

electronically measured and fed to a special circuit
that accelerates the pointer movement in the upward
direction. When the pointer reaches its peak it pauses
only long enough for the human eye to perceive its
position, then drops. It is almost 10 times faster than a
professional VU meter.

Protection Circuits

The MA8000 incorporates its version of the McIntosh
Sentry Monitor output transistor protection circuit.
Refer to figure 89. There is absolutely no compromise
in sonic performance with this circuit, and it ensures

safe operation of
the amplifier un­der even the most
extreme operating
conditions. The
different types of

Normal Operating Area

protection circuits
incorporated
in the MA8000
insure a long and
safe operating life.

The MA8000

Sentry Monitor
Safety Area

Figure 89

Output
Transistor
Failure

also includes the unique patented McIntosh Power
Guard circuit. Power Guard eliminates the possibility
of ever overdriving the amplifier into clipping. Refer
to figures 90, 91 and 92.
An overdriven amplifier

Input Test Signal

(14kHz & 15kHz)

can produce both audible
and inaudible distortion
levels exceeding 40%.
The audible distortion is
unpleasant to hear, but
the inaudible ultrasonic
distortion is also unde­sirable, since it can dam­age valuable loudspeaker
system tweeters. You
will never experience

Figure 90

the harsh and damaging
distortion due to clipping.

The Power Guard circuit is a waveform compara­tor, monitoring both the input and output waveforms.
Under normal operating conditions, there are no
differences between the shape of these waveforms.
If an amplifier channel is overdriven, there will be a
difference between the two signal waveforms. When

the difference exceeds

0.3%, the Power Guard
activates the PG light
and a dynamic electronic
attenuator at the ampli­fier input reduces the in­put volume just enough
to prevent any further
increase in distortion.
The Power Guard circuit
acts so fast that there
are absolutely no au­dible side effects and the
sonic purity of the music
reproduction is perfectly
preserved. The MA8000
Amplifier with Power
Guard is not limited
to just the rated power
output, but will actually
produce distortion free
output well above its
rated power due to the
McIntosh philosophy of
conservative design.

Without Power Guard

Figure 91

With Power Guard

Figure 92

36

Technical Description, con’t

Power Supply Circuits

To compliment the design of the MA8000 Preampli­fier, Power Amplifier and Micro Controller Circuitry
there is a high current high voltage power supply for
both channels. Therefore, it is important that they plug
directly into the wall outlet. The turn on inrush cur­rent is cushioned by thermistors in the power trans­former’s primary circuit. This soft start eliminates
component stress during turn-on. Refer to figures 93
and 95.

The very large Power Transfomer can supply over

13 amps of continuous current. Refer to figure 94

(golf ball is for size comparison). It is enclosed in the

legendary McIntosh Potted Enclosures and weighs
28 pounds. The MA8000 two main filter capacitors
can store over 140 Joules of energy for both amplifier
channels. Refer to figure 95.

The MA8000 can provide greater than 50 amperes
peak output current to drive uneven speaker loads.
Some speaker designs have input impedance dipping
to 1 or 2 ohms at various frequencies and the MA8000
has the output current reserve to drive them. This
guarantee an excellent signal to noise ratio and a wide
dynamic range that music demands.

A perfect companion for the MA8000 Integrated
Amplifier is the McIntosh MPC1500 Power Control­ler. The MPC1500 provides stable voltage and superior
line surge protection for the MA8000.

Also, most owners desire one power switch for the
whole audio system. The MA8000 is equipped with a
circuit providing remote Power Control for McIntosh
Source Components.

AC INPUT

Figure 94

FROM MICRO
CONTROLLER

MA8000 Power Supply

Figure 93

MAIN

FILTER

7

-7

7

-7

Figure 95

37

38

Photos

39

40

Photos and Specifications

Amplifier Specifications

Power Output

300 watts is the minimum sine wave continuous aver­age power output per channel, both channels operating

Output Load Impedance

2, 4 or 8 ohms

Rated Power Band

20Hz to 20,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion

0.005% maximum with both channels operating from
250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Dynamic Headroom

1.8dB

Frequency Response

+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

Preamplifier Output 1 and 2 (for rated input)

1.7V unbalanced Output 1 (8V Maximun)

3.4V balanced Output 2 (16V Maximun)

Sensitivity (for rated output)

High Level, 300mV unbalanced, 600mV balanced
Phono MM, 3.0mV
Phono MC, 0.30mV
Power Amp In, 1.7V

Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)

High Level, 98dB below rated output
Phono MM, 84dB below 5mV input
Phono MC, 82dB below 0.5mV input
Power Amplifier, 114dB below rated output

41

Amplifier Specifications, con’t

Intermodulation Distortion

0.005% maximum, if the instantaneous peak power is
600 watts or less per channel with both channels oper­ating for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to
20,000Hz

Wide Band Damping Factor

Greater than 40

Input Impedance

High Level Unbalanced, 20K ohms
High Level Balanced, 10K ohms
Phono MM, 47K ohms; 50 to 400pF in 50pF steps
Phono MC, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms; 100pF
Power Amp In, 10K ohms

Maximum Input Signal

High Level, 8V unbalanced, 16V balanced
Phono MM, 80mV
Phono MC, 8mV
Power Amplifier In, 16V

+15

A

+10

M
P

L
I

T

+ 5

U
D
E

I

0

N

D
E

- 5

C

I
B
E

L

-10

S

-15

20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20k

Preamplifier Output Impedance

220 ohms

Headphone Impedance

20 to 600 ohms

Power Guard

Less than 2% THD with up to 16dB overdrive at
1,000Hz

Voltage Gain

High Level to Rec Output: 0dB
High Level to Output 1: 15dB
High Level to Output 2: 21dB
Phono MM to Rec Output: 40dB
Phono MC to Rec Output: 60dB

Power Amplifier: 29dB (8 ohm Output Terminals)

Equalizer Controls

FREQUENCY IN HERTZ

MA8000 Specifications, con’t

Digital Input Sample Rates

Optical: 16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 96kHz
Coaxial: 16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 96kHz
USB: 16Bit, 24Bit, 32Bit - 32kHz to 192kHz

Power Control and Trigger Output

12VDC, 25mA

General Specifications

Power Requirements

Field AC Voltage conversion of the MA8000 is not
possible. The MA8000 is factory configured for one
of the following AC Voltages:

100V ~ 50/60Hz at 8 Amps
110V ~ 50/60Hz at 6.6 Amps
120V ~ 50/60Hz at 6.6 Amps
220V ~ 50/60Hz at 3.6 Amps
230V ~ 50/60Hz at 3.3 Amps
240V ~ 50/60Hz at 3.3 Amps
Standby: Less than 0.25 watt

Note: Refer to the rear panel of the MA8000 for the cor-

rect voltage.

Overall Dimensions

Width is 17-1/2 inches (44.45cm)
Height is 9-7/16 inches (24.00cm) including feet
Depth is 22 inches (55.88cm) including the Front

Panel, Knobs and Cables

Weight

100 pounds (45.4 kg) net, 133 pounds (60.3 kg) in ship­ping carton

Shipping Carton Dimensions

Width is 29-1/2 inches (74.93cm)
Depth is 29 inches (73.66cm)
Height is 17 inches (43.18cm)

42

Packing Instructions

In the event it is necessary to repack the equipment for
shipment, the equipment must be packed exactly as
shown below. It is very important that the four plastic
feet are attached to the bottom of the equipment. Two
#10 x 2-1/2 inch screws and washers must be used to
fasten the unit securely to the bottom pad and wood
skid. This will ensure the proper equipment location
on the bottom pad. Failure to do this will result in
shipping damage.
Use the original shipping carton and interior parts
only if they are all in good serviceable condition. If

a shipping carton or any of the interior part(s) are

needed, please call or write Customer Service Depart­ment of McIntosh Laboratory. Refer to page 3. Please
see the Part List for the correct part numbers.

MA8000 Packing Material List

Quantity Part Number Description

1 034052 Shipping carton top
1 034051 Shipping carton bottom
2 034186 Front and rear foam pad
2 034187 Side foam pad
2 034054 Top and bottom foam pad

Packing Instructions

1 034136 Inner carton top
1 034137 Inner carton bottom
1 034188 Inner foam pad
1 034479 Shipping skid
4 401212 1/4-20 hex cap x 2-1/4 inch
screw
2 404033 1/4 inch flat washer 1-1/2
inch
4 017937 Plastic foot
4 404080 #10 flat washer

43

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, NY 13903
www.mcintoshlabs.com

The continuous improvement of its products is the
policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who
reserve the right to improve design without notice.
Printed in the U.S.A.

McIntosh Part No. 04143000