McIntosh MC1502 Owner's Manual

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

MC1502

Power Amplifier

Owner’s Manual

Important Safety Information is supplied in a separate document “Important Additional Operation Information Guide”

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh MC1502 Tube
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]

Table of Contents

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

(Separate Sheet) ............................Important Additional

Operation Information Guide

Thank You and Please Take a Moment .......................2

Technical Assistance and Customer Service .............. 2

Table of Contents ........................................................2

Unpacking the MC1502 and Ventilation ..................4-5

General Information ...................................................6

Connector Information ...............................................6

Introduction .................................................................7

Performance Features ................................................. 7

Dimensions .................................................................8

Rear Panel Connections, Fuse Holder and Switches ..9

How to Connect for Operation ............................. 10 -11

Connection Diagram (Separate Sheet) ............Mc1A

Front Panel Controls and Indicators..........................12

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

Specifications ............................................................ 14

Packing Instruction ................................................... 15

Copyright 2020 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2

IMPORTANT!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL

OF FOAM INSERT OVER THE

VACUUM TUBES PRIOR TO

CONNECTING THE A.C. POWER

SUPPLY CORD, START ON THE

NEXT PAGE.

3

Unpacking the MC1502

Warning Sheet

Shipping Foam

Hot Surface Tag

Caution: To prevent damage to the MC1502

Vacuum Tubes during shipping,
there is a special foam insert
surrounding the Vacuum Tubes of
the Power Amplifier.

The Foam Insert must be

removed from the MC1502
before connecting the AC
Power Supply Cord to the
Power Amplifier.

Failure to do so has the

potential of a Fire Hazard,
resulting in damage to the
MC1502 and the surrounding
environment.

Follow these instructions for

removal of the packing foam
before connecting the AC
Power Supply Cord to the
MC1502.

In order to remove the foam insert sur­rounding the Vacuum Tubes on the MC1502, it
is necessary to temporarily remove the opera­tional Tube Shield Metal Cover. After the foam
insert is removed, the Tube Shield Metal Cover
is to be re-installed for proper and safe opera­tion of the MC1502 Power Amplifier. The Tube

Shield Metal Cover provides protection from
the hazardous voltages inside the MC1502. The
MC1502 has no user serviceable parts, includ­ing the Vacuum Tubes. If repairs are needed
they must be performed by an authorized Mc­Intosh Service Agency.

1. Orient the MC1502 so the Front Side of the Power
Amplifier is facing you and remove the Warning
Sheet. Refer to figure 1A.

2. Referring to figure 2B (a partial side view of the
MC1502) to temporarily remove the two screws
and the Hot Surface Tag located on the top of the
Tube Shield Metal Cover by using a Phillips Head
#2 Screw Driver.

3. Carefully lift up and remove the Tube Shield
Metal Cover from the MC1502. Refer to figure
3C.

4. Place the Tube Cover and the previously removed
chassis screws in a safe location, as the Tube
Cover will be reinstalled.

5. Carefully lift up and remove the Foam Insert from
the MC1502 exposing the Vacuum Tubes. Refer to
figures 4D and 5E.

6. Carefully place the previously removed Tube
Cover on top of the MC1502. Refer to figures 6F
and 7G.

7. Place the Hot Surface Tag near the top right of the
Metal Tube Cover. Secure it to the Cover of the
MC1502 Chassis using the previously removed
Tube Cover Screws and Retaining Washer. Refer
to figure 8A and the results of figure 9.

Note: Save the Foam Insert and Warning Sheet with

the MC1502 Shipping Carton for future use.

OFF

Screw

UNITY COUPLED OUTPUT TRANSFORMER

POWER TRANSFORMER

UNITY COUPLED OUTPUT TRANSFORMER

4

2

8

COM

+

+

+

YEL

BLK

BLU

RED

15-100kHz

FREQUENCY

POWER 150W

VIO

BRN

ORN

V5 // V7

BLK

V5 // V7

V6 // V8

VIO

BRN

ORN

WHT

WHT

WHT

YEL

BLU

BLK

BLU

RED

RED

GRN

ORN

VIO

BLK/GRY

WHT/VIO

GRY

WHT

4

2

8

COM

+

+

+

YEL

BLK

BLU

RED

15-100kHz

FREQUENCY

POWER 150W

VIO

BRN

ORN

V6 // V8

VIO

BRN

ORN

WHT

WHT

WHT

ON

REFER TO THE OWNER’S

MANUAL FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

MANUAL FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

REFER TO PAGE 3 IN THE MC1502 OWNER’S

WARNING

WARNING

TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD, THE FOAM INSERT

OVER THE VACUUM TUBES MUST BE REMOVED

PRIOR TO CONNECTING THE AC POWER CORD

AND OPERATING THIS PRODUCT.

TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD, THE FOAM INSERT

OVER THE VACUUM TUBES MUST BE REMOVED

PRIOR TO CONNECTING THE A.C. MAINS POWER

SUPPLY CORD AND OPERATING THIS PRODUCT.

REMOTE

OFF

ON

Metal Tube Cover

Figure 1A

Hot Surface Tag

Metal
Tube
Cover

Shipping
Foam

Figure 2B

4

Unpacking the MC1502 and Ventilation

Fi

Figure 7G

Figure 8A

Screw

Metal
Tube Cover

Metal Hex Tube
Cover Support

Hot Surface Tag

Washer

Fi

Cool Air

Wa

Figure 3C

Figure 4D

Hot Surface Tag

gure 6F

OFF

NOF

OFF

NOF

ON

ON

Figure 9

BALANCED INPUTS UNBALANCED

BALANCED

INPUT MODE

UNBALANCED

INPUTS

ENABLED

Screw

COM

POWER

CONTROL

AUTO OFF

R OUTPUT

CLASS 2 WIRING

DISABLED

COM

MC1 502

POW ER A MPL IF IER

McINTOSH LABORATORY, INC., BINGHAMTON, NY

HANDCRAFTED IN USA WITH US AND IMPORTED PARTS

L OUTPUT

CLASS 2 WIRING

T8AL 250V

120V 50/60Hz

5.5 AMPS

Ventilation

Adequate ventilation extends the trouble free life of
the MC1502. Always allow air to f low through the
ventilation holes on the bottom of the amplifier and a
means for the warm air to escape at the top. Refer to
figure 10.

Allow at least 19 inches (48.3cm) above the top; 6
inches (15.2cm) for the Front, Rear and Sides; allow
1/2 inch (1.3cm) below the Power Amplifier so the
airf low is not obstructed.

Figure 5E

NOF

NOF

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

rm Air

gure 10

5