MC122 Power Amplifier
OWNERS
MANUAL
MC122
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 FAX: 607-724-0549
Thank You, Please Take A Moment,
Customer Service and Table of Contents
Thank You
For your decision to own this McIntosh MC122 Power
Amplifier ranks you at the very top among discriminating
music listeners. You now have The Best. The McIntosh
dedication to Quality, is assurance that you will receive
many years of musical enjoyment from this unit.
Please take a short time to read the information in this
manual. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all
the features and functions of your new McIntosh MC122.
This will ensure that you receive all the performance benefits this equipment can offer you, and that it will become a
highly valued part of your home entertainment system.
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 serial number is located on the rear panel of the
equipment. The spaces below have been provided for you to
record that information:
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:
Customer Service
If at any time you have questions about your McIntosh
MC122 Power Amplifier, contact your McIntosh dealer.
Your dealer is familiar with your McIntosh equipment as
well as other brands that may be included in your system
and is best qualified to help you.
If it is determined that your MC122 is in need of repair,
you can return it to your dealer or you can return it to
McIntosh Laboratory. Contact the McIntosh Repair Department for assistance at,
Table of Contents
Thank You .......................................................................... 2
Please Take a Moment ....................................................... 2
Customer Service............................................................... 2
Table of Contents ............................................................... 2
Safety Instructions ............................................................. 3
Introduction ....................................................................... 4
Performance Features ........................................................ 4
Installation ......................................................................... 5
Rear Panel Controls and Connections ............................... 6
How to Connect ................................................................. 7
Front Panel Displays and Switch ....................................... 8
How to Operate.................................................................. 9
Specifications .................................................................. 10
Packing Instruction .......................................................... 11
NOTES:
1. Connecting Cables are available from the McIntosh Parts
Department:
Data and Power Control Cable Part No. 170-202
Six foot, shielded 2 conductor, with 1/8 inch stereo mini
phone plugs on each end.
2. For additional connection information, refer to the owners
manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MC122
Amplifier.
3. There is a built-in turn on delay which will mute the speaker
outputs for approximately two seconds when the amplifier is
turned on.
4. It is very important that loudspeaker cables of adequate size
be used in your music system, to ensure that there will be no
power loss or heating. Cable size is specified in Gauge
numbers or AWG, (American Wire Gauge). The smaller the
Gauge number, the larger the wire size:
If your loudspeaker cables are 25 feet (7.62m) or less,
use at least 18 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.
If your loudspeaker cables are 50 feet (38.1m) or less,
use at least 16 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.
If your loudspeaker cables are 100 feet (76.2m) or less,
use at least 14 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-3512
FAX: 607-724-0549
Copyright 1998 by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2
IMPORTANT SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS!
PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE
OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT.
WARNING SHOCK HAZARD DO NOT OPEN.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral
triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to consti-
tute a risk of electric shock to persons
.
Safety Instructions
Attention: pour pevenir les chocs elecriques pas
utiliser cette fiche polarisee avec un prolongateur,
une prise de courant ou un autre sortie de courant,
sauf si les lames peuvent etre inserees afond ans en
laisser aucune partie a decouvert.
7. For added protection for this product during a lightning
storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the antenna or cable system. This will prevent
damage to the product due to lightning or power line
surges.
8. Do not use attachments not recommended in this
owners manual as they may cause hazards.
AVIS RISQUE DE CHOC NE PAS OUVRIR.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is
intended to alert the user to the presence of important
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in
the literature accompanying the appliance.
NO USER-SERVICEABLE
PARTS INSIDE. REFER
SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL
To prevent the risk of electric shock, do not remove
cover (or back). No user serviceable parts inside. Refer
servicing to qualified personnel.
General:
1. Read all the safety and operating instructions, contained in this owners manual, before operating this
equipment.
2. Retain this owners manual for future reference about
safety and operating instructions.
3. Adhere to all warnings and operating instructions.
4. Follow all operating and use instructions.
5. Warning: To reduce risk of fire or electrical shock,
do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture.
This unit is capable of producing high sound pressure levels. Continued exposure to high sound pressure levels can cause permanent hearing impairment or loss. User caution is advised and ear protection is recommended when playing at high volumes.
6. Caution: to prevent electrical shock do not use this
(polarized) plug with an extension cord, receptacle
or other outlet unless the blades can be fully inserted to prevent blade exposure.
Installation:
9. Locate the equipment for proper ventilation. For example, the equipment should not be placed on a bed,
sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block ventilation
openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a
bookcase or cabinet, that may impede the flow of air
through the ventilation openings.
10. Locate the equipment away from heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliance (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
11. Mount the equipment in a wall or cabinet only as described in this owners manual
12. Do not use this equipment near water; for example,
near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in
a wet basement or near a swimming pool, etc.
13. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand,
tripod, bracket, or table. The equipment may fall, causing serious injury to a person, and serious damage to
the product.
Connection:
14. Connect this equipment only to the type of AC power
source as marked on the unit.
15. Route AC power cords so that they are not likely to be
walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against
them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from
the instrument.
16. Do not defeat the inherent design features of the polarized plug. Non-polarized line cord adapters will defeat
the safety provided by the polarized AC plug. If the
plug should fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your obsolete outlet. Do not defeat the safety purpose of the grounding-type plug.
3
Safety Instructions cont,
Introduction and Performance Features
17. Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk
of fire or electric shock.
Care of Equipment:
18. Clean the instrument by dusting with a dry cloth. Unplug this equipment from the wall outlet and clean the
panel with a cloth moistened with a window cleaner. Do
not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners.
19. Do not permit objects of any kind to be pushed and/or
fall into the equipment through enclosure openings.
Never spill liquids into the equipment through enclosure openings.
20. Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet when
left unused for a long period of time.
Repair of Equipment:
21. Unplug this equipment from the wall outlet and refer
servicing to a qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
A. The AC power cord or the plug has been damaged.
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into
the equipment.
C. The equipment has been exposed to rain or water.
D. The equipment does not operate normally by follow-
ing the operating instructions contained within this
owners manual. Adjust only those controls that are
covered by the operating instructions, as an im-
proper adjustment of other controls may result in
damage and will often require extensive work by a
qualified technician to restore the product to its nor-
mal operation.
E. The equipment has been dropped or damaged in any
way.
F. The equipment exhibits a distinct change in perfor-
mance - this indicates a need for service.
22. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the
operating instructions. All other service should be referred to qualified service personnel.
23. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by
McIntosh or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire,
electric shock, or other hazards.
24. Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks
to determine that the product is in proper operating
condition.
Introduction
Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh standards of excellence in the MC122 power amplifier. Two
120 watt high current output channels will drive any high
quality loudspeaker system to its ultimate performance.
The MC122 reproduction is sonically transparent and absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is The Sound of the
Music Itself.
Performance Features
· Power Output
The MC122 consists of two separate power amplifier channels, each capable of 120 watts into 4ohm speakers with
less than 0.005% distortion.
· High Current Output
A peak output current of 18 amperes per channel ensures
that the MC122 will successfully drive high quality loudspeakers such as McIntosh for a truly exciting sound experience.
· Power Guard
Both channels include the patented McIntosh Power Guard
circuit that prevents the amplifier from being overdriven
into clipping with its harsh distorted sound that can also
damage your valuable loudspeakers.
· Sentry Monitor
McIntosh Sentry Monitor power output stage protection
circuits are present on both channels to ensure the MC122
will have a long and trouble free operating life.
· Thermal Protection
Built-in thermal protection circuits guard against overheating which could shorten the normal long life expectancy of
your McIntosh power amplifier.
· Convenient Hookup
Rear panel gold plated input jacks and heavy duty speaker
terminals make hookup easy.
· Power Control
Rear panel power control in and out jacks allow the amplifier to be turned on remotely from a McIntosh preamplifier
or control center.
4
Installation
The MC122 can be placed upright on a table or shelf,
standing on its four feet. It also can be custom installed in a
piece of furniture or cabinet of your choice. The required
panel cutout, ventilation cutout and unit dimensions are
shown.
Always provide adequate ventilation for your MC122.
Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life
for any electronic instrument. Do not install the MC122
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 defi-
Installation
nite asset in maintaining all the system components at the
coolest possible operating temperature.
A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation. Allow
at least 1-1/2 inches (3.8cm) above the unit so airflow is
not obstructed. Allow 17-1/2 inches (44.5cm) depth behind
the mounting panel, which includes clearance for connectors. Allow 1-1/8 inches (2.9cm) in front of the mounting
panel for knob clearance. Be sure to cut out a ventilation
hole in the mounting shelf according to the dimensions in
the drawing.
17-1/2"
444mm
Front View of the
MC122 custom installed
Side View of the
MC122 custom in-
stalled
End Caps
3-9/16"
90.0mm
Mounting Surface
Mounting Surface
3-1/16"
77.8mm
Bottom of Cutout and Top
of Support Shelf Must
Coincide
(Side View)
Support Shelf
1/4"
6mm
3/16"
5.1mm
Outline of Unit
Panel Height
3 1/2"
88.9mm
17-1/16"
433.4mm
Outline of Front Panel
Edge of Cutout
(Front View)
Support Shelf
Mounting Bracket at Both Sides of the Rear Panel.
Fasten with 6-32 x 3/8 Machine Screw and Washer to Chassis.
Fasten with 6 x 1/2 Wood Screw and Washer to Support Shelf
7/32"
5.3mm
Bottom View of the MC122
custom installed
Cut Out Center
for Ventilation
15"
6"
(Bottom View)
9"
5
MC122 Rear Panel Controls and Connections
MC122 Rear Panel Controls and
Connections
Connect the MC122 power
cord to a live AC outlet. Refer
to information on the back
panel to determine the correct
voltage
Main Fuse holder,
refer to infromation
on the back panel
of your MC122 to
determine the correct fuse size and
rating
Input LEVEL controls
for Right and Left
channels
INPUTs for audio
cables from a
preamplifier or
control center audio output
OUTPUT Connections for
4 or 8 ohm loudspeakers
6
POWER CONTROL IN
receives turn on/off signals from a McIntosh
component and the
POWER CONTROL
OUT sends that turn on/
off signal to the next
McIntosh component.
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How to Connect the MC122
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1. Connect the MC122 power cord to a live AC outlet.
2. Connect a power control cable from the preamplifier
Power Control Out to the MC122 Power Control In.
3. Connect the loudspeaker cables to the appropriate terminals for your loudspeakers, being careful to observe
the correct polarities.
4. Connect a cable from the outputs of a preamplifier to
the MC122 Input connectors for both audio channels
and power control.
How to Connect the MC122
McIntosh C15 Preamplifier
To AC Outlet
Right Loudspeaker
4ohm
2345678
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Left Loudspeaker
4ohm
7
MC122 Front Panel Displays and Switch
MC122 Front Panel Displays
and Switch
Power On
Indicator
POWER GUARD LEDs
light when the amplifier
channel POWER GUARD
circuit activates
8
POWER Switch Turns
AC power on/off, or on/
remote
How to Operate the MC122
Input Level Controls
When using a McIntosh Preamplifier or Control Center set
both level controls to the 2.5V position. If a preamplifier or control center has a .8V output rating set the controls to the .8V position. If an increase or decrease in amplifier sensitivity is required for other applications, set the controls as desired. Refer to Figure 1.
Power On
The MC122 power switch operates in two different modes.
When the MC122 Power Control In jack is connected to
the Power Control Out jack of a McIntosh Control Center/
Preamplifier, the amplifier will turn on or off whenever the
Control Center/Preamplifier turns on or off.
Figure 1
How to Operate the
MC122
Note: The MC122 Power Switch must be left in the On
position and there must be a power control connection
in order for the remote power turn on to function.
When their is no connection to the rear panel Power Control In jack, the MC122 will turn on or off with the front
panel power switch.
9
Specifications
Specifications
Power Output Per Channel
120 watts into 4 ohm or 80 watts into 8 ohm loads is the
minimum sine wave continuous average power output per
channel both channels operating.
Output Load Impedance
4 or 8 ohms
Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20,000Hz
Dynamic Headroom
1.6dB
Frequency Response
+0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005% maximum at any power level from 250 milliwatts
to rated power per channel from 20Hz to 20,000Hz, both
channels operating.
Power Requirements
100 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.4 amps
110 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.1 amps
120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 2.8 amps
220 Volts, 50/60Hz at 1.5 amps
230 Volts, 50/60Hz at 1.5 amps
240 Volts, 50/60Hz at 1.4 amps
NOTE: Refer to the rear panel of the MC122 for the correct
voltage
Dimensions
17-1/2 inches (44.5cm) wide, 3-5/8 inches (9.2cm) high,
17-1/2 inches (44.5cm) deep, including clearance for connectors. Allow 3/4 inches (1.9cm) in front of the mounting
panel for clearance.
Weight
24 pounds (10.9 Kg) net, 39 pounds (17.7 Kg) in shipping
carton
Intermodulation Distortion
0.005% maximum if instantaneous peak output per channel
does not exceed twice the rated output with both channels
operating for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to
20,000Hz.
Signal To Noise Ratio
110dB below rated output
Sensitivity
.8 volts (2.5V at the marked position)
Input Impedance
10,000 ohms
Damping Factor
Greater than 100 at 4 ohms
Greater than 200 at 8 ohms
10
Packing Instructions
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. 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. Please see the Part List for the correct part numbers.
Quantity Part Number Description
1 034023 Shipping carton only
4 034022 Foam end cap
1 033606 Inside carton only
1 033726 Top pad
1 033729 Bottom pad
1 033622 Inner carton pad
4 017218 Plastic foot
4 100159 #10-32 x 3/4 screw
4 104083 #10 x 7/16 Flat washer
1 048095 Shipping carton complete with
all the above parts
11
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, NY 13903
McIntosh Part No. 040584
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