McIntosh MC58 User Manual

MC58 Eight Channel Power Amplifier

Owner’s Manual

MC58

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.

General:

1. Read these instructions.

2. Keep these instructions.

3. Heed all warnings.

4. Follow all instructions.

5. Warning: To reduce risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this equipment to rain or moisture. 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.

6. 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 pevenir les chocs elecriques pas utiliser cette fiche polarisee avec un prolongateur, une prise de courant ou un autre sortie de courant, sauf si les lames peuvent etre inserees afond ans en laisser aucune partie a decouvert.

7. Unplug this equipment during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.

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

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.

Installation:

9. The equipment shall be installed near the AC Socket Outlet and the disconnect device shall be easily accessible.

10. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

11.Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other equipment (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

12. Do not use this equipment near water.

13. 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.

14. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the equipment. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/equipment combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

Connection:

15. Connect this equipment only to the type of AC power source as marked on the unit.

16. Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the equipment.

17. 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.

18. Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords or integral convenience receptacles as this can result in a risk of fire or electric shock.

19. To completely disconnect this equipment from the AC Mains, disconnect the power supply cord plug from the AC receptacle.

Care of Equipment:

20. Clean only with a dry cloth.

21. Do not permit objects or liquids of any kind to be pushed, spilled and/or fall into the equipment through enclosure openings.

22. Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet when left unused for a long period of time.

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh MC58 Eight Channel 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:

Repair of Equipment:

23. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the equipment 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 equipment, the equipment has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

24. Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other service should be referred to qualified service personnel.

25. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by McIntosh or have the same characteristics as the original part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock, or other hazards.

26. Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.

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: 607-723-3636

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 Repair department. For assistance on factory repair return procedure, contact the McIntosh Repair Department at:

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

Table of Contents

Connector Information

Thank You.......................................................................... 2

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

Thank You and Please Take a Moment.............................. 3

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

Table of Contents and General Notes ................................ 4

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

Introduction ....................................................................... 5

Performance Features ........................................................ 5

Dimensions ........................................................................ 6

Installation ......................................................................... 7

Rear Panel Controls, Connections and Switch .................. 8

How to Connect with a CR16 ............................................ 9

How to Connect two MC58s in Bridge Mode ................. 10

How to Connect in a Home Theater System ................... 11

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

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

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

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

General Notes

1. Connecting Cables and Connectors are 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.

Control Center to Multichannel Power Amplifier Cable Part No. 170-631

Six foot, DB25, shielded, straight through, 25 conductor male-to-female cable.

Multizone Control System to Multichannel Power Amplifier Cable Part No. 170-147

Six foot, 7Pin DIN, shielded, male-to-male cable.

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

manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MC58 Amplifier.

3. There is a built-in turn on delay which will mute the speaker

outputs for approximately two seconds when the amplifier is turned on.

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

be used in your music system, to ensure that there will be no power loss or heating. Cable 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 25 feet (7.62m) or less, use at least 18 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger. If your loudspeaker cables are 50 feet (38.1m) or less, use at least 16 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger. If your loudspeaker cables are 100 feet (76.2m) or less, use at least 14 Gauge (AWG) wire size or larger.

Multi-Room Din Connector Pin Layout

1. Zone 3-Pwr. Ctrl.

2. Zone 1-Pwr. Ctrl.

3. Pwr. Ctrl. (Main)

4. Zone 2-Pwr. Ctrl.

5. Video Power

6. Zone 4-Pwr. Ctrl.

7. Gnd.

8 Channel In DB25 Connector Pin Layout

1. Zone 2-Left 14. Zone 2-Left Gnd.

2. Zone 1-Left 15. Zone 1-Left Gnd.

3. Zone 2-Right 16. Zone 2-Right Gnd.

4. Zone 3-Left 17. Zone 3-Left Gnd.

5. Zone 1-Right 18. Zone 1-Right Gnd.

6. Zone 3-Right 19.Zone 3-Right Gnd.

7. Zone 4-Left 20. Zone 4-Left Gnd.

8. Zone 4-Right 21. Zone 4-Right Gnd.

9. N/C 22. N/C

10. N/C 23. Zone 3-Pwr. Ctrl.

11. Zone 1-Pwr. Ctrl. 24. Zone 4-Pwr. Ctrl.

12. Zone 2-Pwr. Ctrl. 25. Pwr. Ctrl. Gnd. (Main)

13. Pwr. Ctrl. (Main)

8 CHANNEL IN

Introduction

Introduction and Performance Features

Eight 50 watt McIntosh amplifier channels in one convenient package make the MC58 an ideal amplifier for a multizone system. The MC58 can be configured in different Operating Modes to fit a wide range of uses where a multichannel amplifier is required. For example, it has the ability to bridge a pair of channels for 100 watts output.

Performance Features

••

• Power Output

••

The MC58 consists of eight separate power amplifier channels, each capable of 50 watts into 4 ohm speakers with less than 0.005% distortion. This is 400 watts of McIntosh power in a single package.

••

• Power Guard

••

All eight channels include the patented McIntosh Power Guard Circuit, that prevents the amplifier from being overdriven into clipping with its harsh distorted sound that can also damage your valuable loudspeakers.

••

• Individual Channel or Bridged Pair Configuration

••

Each pair of MC58 amplifier channels can be operated separately at 50 watts each, or bridged for 100 watts. The MC58 is ideal for any application requiring a multichannel power amplifier, such as a mulitzone system or home theater system.

••

• Front Panel

••

The classic McIntosh Illuminated glass front panel includes eight individual channel power guard indicators, four channel pair status indicators and a Power On/Off switch.

••

• Sentry Monitor

••

McIntosh Sentry Monitor power output stage protection circuits are present on all eight channels to ensure the MC58 will have a long and trouble free operating life.

••

• Thermal Protection

••

Built-in thermal protection circuits guard against overheating which could shorten the normal long life expectancy of your McIntosh power amplifier.

••

• Direct Current Protection

••

Direct Current sensing circuits on each channel provide extra protection for your valuable loudspeakers.

••

• Convenient Single Cable Hookup

••

A rear panel connector provides for the convenience of using a single cable, (DB25 computer style) to receive all audio and power control signals from a McIntosh Multizone Control System.

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