McIntosh MC1.2KW User Manual

Power Amplifier

MC1.2KW

Owner’s Manual

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

The lightning flash with arrowhead,
within an equilateral triangle, is
intended to alert the user to the
presence of uninsulated “danger­ous voltage” within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient
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 apparatus
(including amplifiers) 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 third ground­ing prong. The wide blade or the third prong are
provided for your safety. If the provided plug does
not fit 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.

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.

11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.

12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or
table specified 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 qualified service person­nel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has
been damaged in any way, such as power-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 filled 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, fire or the like.

2

Thank You

Table of Contents

Your decision to own this McIntosh MC1.2KW 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.

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]

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]

Copyright 2007 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

Safety Instructions ............................................................. 2

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

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

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

General Information .......................................................... 3

Connector Information ...................................................... 4

Introduction ........................................................................

Performance Features ........................................................ 4

Dimensions ........................................................................ 5

Installation ......................................................................... 6

Rear Panel Connections and Switch .................................. 7

How to Connect ..............................................................8-9

How to Connect for Bi-Amp ........................................10-11

Front Panel Displays and Controls ....................................12

How to Operate .................................................................13

Technical Description ..................................................14-17

Specifications ....................................................................18

Packing Instruction ...........................................................19

General Information

Caution: The MC1.2KW Amplifier weight is 147 pounds (66.7

kilograms). It requires two or more persons to safely
handle when moving the amplif ier.

1. The following Connecting Cable is available from the McIn-

tosh Parts Department:

Power Control Cable Part No. 170-202

Six foot, 2 conductor shielded, with two 1/8 inch stereo
mini phone plugs.

2. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s

manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MC1.2KW.

3. The MC1.2KW mutes the speaker output for approximately

two seconds when first turned on.

4. It is very important that loudspeaker cables of adequate size

be used, so that there will be no power loss. The 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 50 feet (38.1m) or less, use
at least 14 Gauge.
If your loudspeaker cables are 100 feet (76.2m) or less,
use at least 12 Gauge.

5. In the event the MC1.2KW over heats, due to improper

ventilation and/or high ambient temperature, the protection
circuits will activate. The Front Panel Power Guard LED will
continuously indicate ON and the audio will be muted. When
the MC1.2KW has returned to a safe operating temperature,
normal operation will resume.

6. The MC1.2KW incorporates the very latest in Fully Double

Balanced Circuitry. As a result, the Loudspeaker Negative
Connections are above chassis ground. Do not combine any
connections together, ground them or connect with another
MC1.2KW.

3

4

3

Connector Information, Introduction and Performance Features

PIN 2

PIN 1

PIN 3

Power
Control

Meter
Illumination
Control

Ground

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input
Connectors on the MC1.2KW. Refer to the diagram for
connection:
PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Output
PIN 3: - Output

Power Control Connector

The MC1.2KW’s Power Control Inputs receive On/Off
signals of +5 volts. An additional con

­nection is for controlling the illumina­tion of the MC1.2KW Power Output
Meters. The 1/8 inch stereo mini
phone plug connects to a McIntosh
A/V Control Center Power Control
Output.

Note: The Power Control Connecting Cable is 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.

Introduction

Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh
standards of excellence in the MC1.2KW Power Ampli­fier. The 1,200 watt high current output will drive any high
quality loudspeaker system to its ultimate performance.
The MC1.2KW reproduction is sonically transparent and
absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The Sound of
the Music Itself.”

• Power Guard

The patented McIntosh Power Guard circuit prevents the
amplifier from being over driven into clipping, with its
harsh distorted sound that can also damage your valuable
loudspeakers.

• Sentry Monitor and Thermal Protection

McIntosh Sentry Monitor power output stage protection
circuits ensure the MC1.2KW will have a long and trouble
free operating life. Built-in Thermal Protection Circuits
guard against overheating.

• Patented Autoformer

McIntosh designed and manufactured Output Autoformers
provide an ideal match between the amplifier output stages
and speaker loads of 2, 4 and 8 ohms. The Autoformers
also provide perfect DC protection for your valuable loud

-

speakers.

• Special Power Supply

A regulated Power Supply, a very large Toroidal Wound
Power Transformer and very large capacitors ensures sta

-

ble noise free operation even though the power line varies.

• Illuminated Power Meter

The Illuminated Power Output Watt Meter on the
MC1.2KW is peak responding, and indicates the true
power output of the amplifier. The Peak Watt Hold Mode
allows the meter to temporarily stay at the highest power
output and then slowly decay. The Front Panel Meter Il

-

lumination may be switched Off at any time.

Performance Features

• Power Output

The MC1.2KW is a Power Amplifier with a capability
of 1,200 watts into 2, 4 or 8 ohm speakers with less than

0.005% distortion.

• Full Balanced Quad-Differential Circuitry

The MC1.2KW is fully balanced from inputs to outputs.
It consists of two matched power amplifiers operating in
push-pull with their outputs combined in a McIntosh Auto
former. The double balanced configuration cancels virtu­ally all distortion.

• Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs

Balanced connections guard against induced noise and al
low long cable runs without compromising sound quality.

4

• 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 Emitting 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 en
sures the pristine beauty of the MC1.2KW will be retained
for many years.

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-

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Dimensions

17-3/4"

45.09cm

11"

27.94cm

12-5/16"

31.27cm

18"

45.72cm

19-1/2"

49.50cm

3/16"

0.48cm

10-1/2"

26.70cm

14"

35.60cm

1-9/16"

3.96cm

1-1/2"

3.81cm

12-1/4"

31.11cm

17-3/8"

44.15cm

1-5/8"

4.12cm

Front View of the MC1.2KW

Rear View of the MC1.2KW

Side View of the MC1.2KW

The following dimensions can assist in determining the
best location for your MC1.2KW. There is additional
information on the next page pertaining to installing the
MC1.2KW into cabinets.

Dimensions

5

Installation

10 -13/16"

27.46cm

17-9/16"

44.62cm

6"

15.24cm

14-1/2"

36.83cm

14"

35.56cm

15-5/16"

38.91cm

21/32"

1.67cm

Cutout Opening
for Ventilation

Cutout Opening for Ventilation

Support
Shelf

Cabinet
Front
Panel

Chassis
Spacers

Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting

Opening
for Ventilation

MC1.2KW Front Panel
Custom Cabinet Cutout

MC1.2KW Side View
in Custom Cabinet

MC1.2KW Bottom View
in Custom Cabinet

1"

2.54cm

The MC1.2KW 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 MC1.2KW
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 MC1.2KW 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
MC1.2KW. Cool operation
ensures the longest pos­sible operating life for any
electronic instrument. Do
not install the MC1.2KW
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 1 inch (2.54cm)
on each side of the Power
Amplifier, so that airflow
is not obstructed. Allow 19­1/2 inches (49.53cm) depth
behind the front panel. Al­low 1-5/8 inch (4.12cm) in
front of the mounting panel
for clearance. Be sure to cut

1

out a ventilation hole in the mounting shelf according to
the dimensions in the drawing.

1

When the MC1.2KW is installed together with other McIntosh

Components, check clearances on all components before
proceeding.

Installation

6