McIntosh MC-300 Owners manual
MC300
POWER
AMPLIFIER
MC300
POWER
AMPLIFIER
IMPORTANT
SAFETY
INSTRUCTIONS
THESE
INSTRUCTIONS
ARE TO PROTECT
YOU AND THE
MclNTOSH
INSTRUMENT.
BE SURE TO
FAMILIARIZE
YOURSELF
WITH THEM
1. Read all instructions - Read the safety and operating instructions before operating the instrument.
2. Retain Instructions - Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference.
3. Heed warnings - Adhere to warnings and operating instructions.
4. Follow Instructions - Follow all operating and use instructions.
WARNING: to reduce risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this instrument TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
5. Power Sources - Connect the power supply only to the type described in the operating instructions
or as marked on the unit.
6. Power-Cord Protection - Route power-supply 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.
7. Ventilation - Locate the instrument for proper ventilation. For example, the instrument 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.
8. Heat - Locate the instrument away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
other appliance (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
9. Wall or Cabinet Mounting - Mount the instrument in a wall or cabinet only as described in the owner's
manual.
10. Water and Moisture - Do not use the instrument near water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl,
kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc.
11. Cleaning - Clean the instrument by dusting with a dry cloth. Clean the panel with a cloth moistened
with a window cleaner.
12. Object and Liquid Entry - Do not permit objects to fall and liquids to spill into the instrument through
enclosure openings.
13. Nonuse Periods - Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet when left unused for a long period
of time.
14. Damage Requiring Service - Service must be performed by qualified service personnel when:
A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or
B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the instrument; or
C. The instrument has been exposed to rain; or
D. The instrument does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance;
or
E. The instrument has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged.
15. Servicing - Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other
service should be referred to qualified service personnel.
16. Grounding or Polarization - Do not defeat the inherent design features of the polarized plug. Nonpolarized line cord adaptors will defeat the safety provided by the polarized AC plug.
17. 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.
ATTENTION: pour prevenir les chocs electriques pas utiliser cette
FICHE POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE DE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE
SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN
LAISSER AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT.
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.
Copyright 1995 ©by
Mclntosh Laboratory Inc.
CAUTION: to prevent the risk of electric shock, do not
REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE.
REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
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: 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.
2
Your decision to own this piece of Mclntosh stereo equipment ranks you at the very top
among discriminating music listeners. You now have "The Best". The Mclntosh dedication to
"quality", is assurance that you will receive thousands of hours 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 piece of Mclntosh. This will ensure
that you receive all the performance benefits this instrument can offer you and that it will become
a highly valued part of your home music system.
The serial number and purchase date are important to you for possible insurance claim or
future service. Record this information here.
Serial Number Purchase Date
THANK
YOU
3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 5
INSTALLATION 6
CUSTOM INSTALLATION DIAGRAM 7
RECOMMENDED VENTILATION CUTOUT IN MOUNTING SHELF 7
HOW TO CONNECT INPUTS 8
CONNECTING DIAGRAMS 9, 10
HOW TO CONNECT OUTPUTS 11, 12, 13
FRONT PANEL CONTROLS 13, 14
REAR PANEL 14
SPECIFICATIONS 15
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS 16,17
4
The electrical and mechanical design of the MC300 power amplifier is the result of the
many years of engineering and manufacturing experience of the design staff at Mclntosh.
This "Know How", along with the meticulous attention to design and production details, makes
the MC300 one of the finest amplifiers ever produced by Mclntosh Laboratory.
The use of 10 complementary connected output transistors per channel, allows not only
full power output into normal loads, but extra high current output to drive uneven speaker
loads. Some speaker designs have impedance characteristics that may dip to as low as 1
or 2 ohms at certain frequencies. It is possible for the MC300 to deliver as much as 85 amperes
peak current into these lower impedance loads.
The MC300 will supply this extra current output with complete reliability due to the use
of Mclntosh Sentry Monitor protection circuits. Some power amplifier manufacturers have
claimed that their products do not use protection circuits since they compromise performance.
The real genius of Mclntosh engineering design has recognized these potential problems and
completely eliminated them. Properly designed protection circuits assure you an amplifier
that will operate under all types of user conditions with maximum reliability and freedom from
possible speaker or amplifier damage. The benefits of these designs mean you own an amplifier
that will continue to operate safely for many years.
The MC300 output is so distortion free, it is difficult to measure with conventional instruments. The performance limit is 0.005% maximum distortion, yet it is typical for an amplifier
to measure less than 0.002% at mid frequencies.
The power output watt meters on the MC300 are peak responding, and indicate the TRUE
power output of the amplifier. The MC300 meter circuits are constantly measuring both voltage
and current delivered into the speaker loads. A speaker may have a different load impedance
at different frequencies, resulting in a change of output current. The MC300 meters properly
react to this condition and indicate Real Output power.
Other desirable features are included such as high current gold plated output terminals
that will accept cable up to 0.204 inches in diameter. Balanced input connectors are also
provided in addition to the normal RCA inputs.
As in all Mclntosh power amplifiers, the famous patented Mclntosh POWER GUARD cir-
cuit is included. You never have to be concerned with amplifier overdrive when playing wide
dynamic range program sources such as compact discs.
Refer to the technical description for a full account of all the outstanding circuit and perform-
ance features of this superb power amplifier.
INTRODUCTION
5
Loading...