McIntosh MC2301 User Manual

Tube Power Amplifier

MC2301

Owner’s Manual

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 FAX: 607-724-0549

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.

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.

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

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

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: 607-723-1545 Fax: 607-724-0549

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.

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903 Phone: 607-723-3515 Fax: 607-723-1917

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.

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

+ 16 hidden pages