McIntosh MC2301 User Manual

Tube Power Amplifier

MC2301

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

IMPORTANT!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR REMOVAL

OF FOAM INSERTS OVER THE

VACUUM TUBES PRIOR TO

CONNECTING THE A.C. POWER

SUPPLY CORD, START ON THE

NEXT PAGE.

3

Unpacking the MC2301

Caution: To prevent damage to the MC2301

Tubes during shipping, there is a spe­cial foam insert surrounding the Tubes
located on both sides of the Power Am­plifier.

BOTH Foam Inserts must be re-

moved from the MC2301 before
connecting the AC Power Sup­ply Cord to the power amplifier.

6. Carefully reinstall the previously removed Tube Cov­ers and chassis screws on both sides of the MC2301.
Make sure the metal tabs located on the bottom of the
Tube Cover are inserted into the chassis slots. Refer to
figures 6, 7 and 8.

Note: Only use the chassis screws supplied with the

MC2301. If you can not find the chassis screws,
contact the McIntosh Parts Department for replace­ments.

7. Save the two Foam Inserts and Warning Sheet with the
MC2301 Shipping Carton for possible further use.

Failure to do so has the poten-

tial of a Fire Hazard, resulting
in damage to the MC2301 and
the surrounding environment.

Follow the instructions below

for removal of the packing foam
before connecting the AC Power
Supply Cord to the MC2301.

In order to remove the foam inserts surround­ing the tubes on the MC2301, it is necessary to
temporarily remove the two Tube Covers. After
the foam inserts are removed, the Tube Covers are
re-installed and should not be removed. The cov­ers provide protection from the hazardous voltages
inside the MC2301. The MC2301 has no user ser­viceable parts, including the tubes. If repairs are
needed they must be performed by an authorized
McIntosh Service Agency.

1. Orient the MC2301 so the Front Panel is facing you
and remove the Warning Sheet. Refer to figure 1.

2. Using a Philips Head #2 screw driver, remove the two
chassis screws securing the Tube Cover to the chassis
on both sides of the MC2301. Refer to figure 2.

3. Carefully lift up and remove the Tube Cover from each
side of the MC2301. Refer to figure 3.

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

5. Carefully lift up and remove the Foam Insert from
both sides the MC2301 exposing the Tubes. Refer to
figures 4 and 5.

Figure 2

Tube Covers

Remove Foam
Inserts located
under the Tube
Covers and the
Warning Sheet

WARNING

TO AVOID A FIRE HAZARD,
THE FOAM INSERTS OVER
THE VACUUM TUBES MUST
BE REMOVED PRIOR TO
CONNECTING THE A.C.
MAINS POWER SUPPLY
CORD AND OPERATING
THIS PRODUCT.

REFER TO PAGE 3 IN THE
MC2301 OWNER’S MANUAL
FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

Figure 1

Chassis
screws

Tube Cover

4

Figure 3

Figure 4

Unpacking the MC2301 and Ventilation

Figure 5

Figure 6

Foam Insert

Figure 8

Ventilation

Adequate ventilation extends the trouble free life of the
MC2301. Always allow air to flow 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 9 and the
information on the next page for placement and installation
of the MC2301.

Warm Air

Tube Cover

Figure 7

Cool Air

Figure 9

Chassis
screws

5

Thank You

Table of Contents

Your decision to own this McIntosh MC2301 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:

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

Unpacking the MC2301 .................................................. 4-5

Thank You and Please Take a Moment .............................. 6

Technical Assistance and Customer Service ..................... 6

Table of Contents ............................................................... 6

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

Connector Information ......................................................

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

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

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

Installation ......................................................................... 9

Rear Panel Connections and Switch .................................11

How to Connect ...........................................................12-13

How to Connect for Bi-Amp ........................................14-15

Front Panel Displays and Controls ....................................16

How to Operate .................................................................17

Technical Description ..................................................18-21

Specifications ................................................................... 22

Packing Instruction .......................................................... 23

General Information

Caution: The MC2301 Amplifier weight is 116 pounds (52.6

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

1. The following Connecting Cable is available from the McIn­tosh 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 MC2301.

3. The MC2301 mutes the speaker output for approximately
fifteen seconds when first turned on.

4. The MC2301 incorporates the very latest in Fully 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 MC2301
or other Power Amplifier.

7

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

Copyright 2008 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

6

Power
Control

Meter
Illumination
Control

Ground

PIN 2PIN 1

PIN 3

Connector Information, Introduction and Performance Features

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced In­put, Input/Output Connectors on the MC2301. Refer to the
diagram for connection:
PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Output
PIN 3: - Output

Power Control Connector

The MC2301 Power Control Input receives an On/Off sig

­nal from +5 to +12 volts. The Power
Control Output will in turn provide a
+12 volt Output Signal with a current
up to 20mA. An additional connection
is for controlling the illumination of
the MC2301 Power Output Meter. 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 MC2301 Tube Power Ampli­fier. The 300 watt power output will drive any high quality
Loudspeaker System to its ultimate performance. The
MC2301 reproduction is sonically transparent and abso­lutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The Sound of the
Music Itself.”

Performance Features

• Power Output

The MC2301 is a Tube Power Amplifier with a capabil
ity of 300 watts into 2, 4 or 8 ohm speakers with less than

0.5% distortion.

• Full Balanced Unity Coupled Circuitry

The MC2301 is fully balanced from input to output. It con
sists of two matched Power Amplifiers operating in push­pull using the famous McIntosh Patented Unity Coupled
Circuit. The circuit outputs are combined in a dual core
McIntosh Multifilar Wound Output Transformer for low
distortion, extended frequency response and cool operating
output tubes.

-

• Balanced and Unbalanced Input

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

• Sentry Monitor Tube and Thermal Protection

McIntosh Sentry Monitor Tube Protection Circuits ensure
the MC2301 will have a long and trouble free operating
life. Built-in Thermal Protection Circuits guard against
overheating.

• Illuminated Power Meter

The Illuminated Power Output Watt Meter on the MC2301
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 Illumination may be
switched Off at any time.

• Gold Plated Connectors and Tube Socket Contacts

Gold Plated Input Jacks and Output Binding Posts provide
trouble free connections. Ceramic tube sockets with gold
plated contacts provide protection from atmospheric con
tamination. Output Tube Sockets include Air-Pipe cooling
at their bases.

• Special Power Supply

A regulated Power Supply, a very large core Power Trans
former and large capacitors ensure stable noise free opera­tion even though the power line varies.

• 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
sure the pristine beauty of the MC2301 will be retained for
many years.

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7

Dimensions

17-3/4"

45.09cm

11"

27.94cm

12-5/16"

31.27cm

20"

50.86cm

21"

54.61cm

3/16"

0.48cm

10-1/2"

26.70cm

15-3/4"

40.00cm

1-3/4"

4.45cm

1-1/2"

3.81cm

12-1/4"

31.11cm

17-3/8"

44.15cm

1-5/8"

4.12cm

Front View of the MC2301

Rear View of the MC2301

Side View of the MC2301

The following dimensions can assist in determining the
best location for your MC2301. There is additional infor­mation on page 9 pertaining to installing the MC2301 into
cabinets.

Dimensions

8