McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.com
MC75 60
th
Anniversary
Tube Power Amplier
Owner’s Manual
Page 2
The lightning ash 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 sufcient 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 appa-
ratus (including ampliers) 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
NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS
INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL.
third grounding prong. The wide blade or the
third prong are provided for your safety. If
the provided plug does not t 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.
11. Only use attachments/accessories specied by
the manufacturer.
12. Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket,
or table specied 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 qualied service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus
has been damaged in any way, such as power-
To prevent the risk of electric
shock, do not remove cover or
back. No user-serviceable parts
inside.
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 lled
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, re or the like.
19. Connect mains power supply cord only to a
mains socket outlet with a protective earthing
connection.
2
Page 3
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
Page 4
Unpacking the MC75
Caution: To prevent damage to the MC75
Tubes during shipping, there is a
special foam insert surrounding the
Tubes of the Power Amplifier.
The Foam Insert must be
removed from the MC75 before connecting the AC Power Supply Cord to the power
amplif ier.
Failure to do so has the po-
tential of a Fire Hazard,
resulting in damage to the
MC75 and the surrounding
user serviceable parts, including the tubes. If
repairs are needed they must be performed by
an authorized McIntosh Service Agency.
1. Orient the MC75 so the Front is facing you and
remove the Warning Sheet. Refer to figure 1.
2. Using a Philips Head #2 screw driver, remove the
Tube Cover Screw securing the Tube Cover to the
chassis on each side of the MC75. Refer to figure
2. Carefully lift up and remove the Tube Cover
from the MC75. Refer to figure 3.
3. Place the Tube Cover and the previously removed
chassis screws in a safe location, as the Tube
Cover will be reinstalled.
4. Carefully lift up and remove the Foam Insert from
the MC75 exposing the Tubes. Refer to figures 4
and 5.
5. Carefully reinstall the previously removed Tube
Cover using a Tube Cover Screw on each side of
the MC75. Refer to figures 6, 7A, 7B and 8.
Note: Only use the chassis screws supplied with the
MC75. If you can not find the chassis screws,
contact the McIntosh Parts Department for
replacements.
6. Save the Foam Insert and Warning Sheet with the
MC75 Shipping Carton for possible future use.
environment.
Follow these instructions for
removal of the packing foam
before connecting the AC
Power Supply Cord to the
MC75.
In order to remove the foam insert surrounding the tubes on the MC75, it is necessary
to temporarily remove the Tube Cover. After
the foam insert is removed, the Tube Cover is
re-installed and should not be removed. The
cover provides protection from the hazardous
voltages inside the MC75. The MC75 has no
4
Tube Cover
Tube Cover
Tube Cover
Screw
WARNING
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.
REFER TO PAGE 3 IN THE MC75 OWNER’S
MANUAL FOR INSTRUCTIONS.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Remove Foam
Insert located
under the Tube
Cover
Remove the
Warning Sheet
Tube Cover
Tube Cover
Screw
Page 5
Unpacking the MC75 and Ventilation
Figure 3
Figure 4
Foam Insert
Figure 6
Figure 7A
Figure 8
Ventilation
Adequate ventilation extends the trouble free life
of the MC75. 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 9.
Allow at least 12 inches (30.48cm) above the top;
4 inches (10.16cm) for the Front, Rear and Sides; and
1/2 inches (1.27cm) below the Power Amplifier so the
airf low is not obstucted.
Warm Air
Figure 5
Tube Cover
Screw
Figure 7B
Tube Cover
Screw
Cool Air
Figure 9
5
Page 6
Thank You
Your decision to own this McIntosh MC75 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:
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Phone: 607-723-3515
Fax: 607-723-1917
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 MC75.
3. The MC75 mutes the speaker output for approximately fifteen seconds when first turned on.
4. For the best performance and safety it is important
to always match the impedance of the loudspeaker
to the Power Amplifier connections. Refer to step 5
on page 10.
Note: The impedance of a Loudspeaker actually var-
ies as the Loudspeaker reproduces different
frequencies. As a result, the nominal impedance
rating of the Loudspeaker (usually measured at
a midrange frequency) might not always agree
with the impedance of the Loudspeaker at low
frequencies where the greatest amount of power
is required. Contact the Loudspeaker Manufacturer for additional information about the actual
impedance of the Loudspeaker before connecting
it to the McIntosh MC75.
5. When discarding the unit, comply with local rules
or regulations. Batteries should never be
thrown away or incinerated but disposed
of in accordance with the local regulations
concerning battery disposal.
6. For additional information on the MC75
and other McIntosh Products please visit
the McIntosh Web Site at www.mcintoshlabs.com.
6
Page 7
General Information, Cable Information, Introduction and Performance Features
PIN 2PIN 1
PIN 3
PIN 1
PIN 2
PIN 3
Power
Control
Ground
N/C
Connector and Cable Information
XLR Connectors
Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced
Input, Input/Output Connectors on the MC75. Refer to
the diagram for connection:
PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Output
PIN 3: - Output
Power Control Connector
The MC75 Power Control Input receives an On/Off
signal from +5 to +12 volts.
The Power Control Output
will in turn provide a +12 volt
Output Signal with a current up
to 20mA. The 1/8 inch stereo
mini phone plug connects to a
McIntosh Preamplifier or 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.
INPUT
IN/OUT
Performance Features
• Power Output
The MC75 is a Tube Power Amplifier with a capability of 75 watts into 2, 4 or 8 ohm speakers with less
than 0.5% distortion.
• Unity Coupled Circuitry
The MC75 Power Amplifier uses the famous McIntosh Patented Unity Coupled Circuit which provides
low distortion, extended frequency response and cool
operating output tubes.
• Multifilar Wound Output Transformer
The MC75 Output Transformer Windings are part
of the Unity Coupled Circuitry. There are two bifilar
wound primaries, one for the cathodes and one for
the plates. The secondary winding is wound together
with the primary windings. This provides very close
primary to secondary coupling. The result is flat frequency response and wide power bandwidth.
• Balanced and Unbalanced Input
Balanced connections guard against induced noise and
allow long cable runs without compromising sound
qualit y.
• 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 contamination. Output Tube Sockets
include Air-Pipe cooling at their bases.
• Special Power Supply
A regulated Power Supply, a very large core Power
Transformer and large capacitors ensure stable noise
free operation even though the power line varies.
• Titanium Chassis with Super Mirror Finish
The famous McIntosh Stainless Steel Chassis with
Super Mirror Gold Finish ensure the pristine beauty of
the MC75 will be retained for many years.
Introduction
Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh
standards of excellence in the MC75 Tube Power Amplifier. The 75 watt power output will drive any high
quality Loudspeaker System. The MC75 reproduction
is sonically transparent and absolutely accurate. The
McIntosh Sound is “The Sound of the Music Itself.”
• Sentry Monitor Tube Protection
McIntosh Sentry Monitor Tube Protection Circuits
ensure the MC75 will have a long and trouble free
operating life.
7
Page 8
Dimensions
16-1/2"
41.91cm
Front View of the MC75
Top View of the MC75
Left Side View of the MC75
Right Side View of the MC75
7
-7/8"
20.00cm
8-1/2"
21.59cm
13-5/8"
34.61cm
1-3/4"
4.45cm
1-3/4"
4.45cm
1-1/4"
3.18cm
4-1/2"
11.43cm
3-13/16"
9.68cm
8-1/2"
21.59cm
The following dimensions can assist in determining
the best location for your MC75.
Dimensions
8
Page 9
Left Side Connections, Right Side Connections and Fuse Holder
OUTPUT Connections
for a 2, 4 or 8 ohm
Loudspeaker
POWER CONTROL IN receives a turn
On/Off signal from a McIntosh component
POWER CONTROL OUT sends a turn
On/Off signal to the next McIntosh
Component
UNBALANCED INPUT
for an audio cable from a
Preamplifier or A/V Control Center audio output
UNBALANCED INput2 / OUTput for an audio cable from a
Preamplifier output or to connect
an audio cable on to the next
Power Amplifier input
Connect the MC75
power cord to a live AC
outlet. Refer to the rear
panel to determine the
correct voltage
BALANCED INPUT
for an audio cable
from a Preamplifier
or A/V Control Center audio output
1
This Balanced connector may be used as an Input ONLY when connected to a
BALANCED INput1 / OUTput
for an audio cable from a Preamplifier output or to connect an
audio cable on to the next Power
Amplifier input
McIntosh C1000 Preamplifier. For all other connections use only as an Output.
Fuse holder, refer to information
on the side panel of your MC75
to determine the correct fuse
size and rating
2
This Unbalanced connector may be used as an Input ONLY when connected to a
McIntosh C1000 Preamplifier. For all other connections use only as an Output.
9
Page 10
How to Connect
Figure 1
Figure 2Figure 3
Figure 4Figure 5Figure 6
Caution: The supplied AC Power Cord should not
be connected to the Rear Panel of the
MC75 Tube Power Amplifier until after
the Loudspeaker Connections have been
made. Failure to observe this could result
in Electric Shock. For additional instruction on making Loudspeaker Connections
contact your McIntosh Dealer or McIntosh Technical Support.
1. For Remote Power Control, connect a power control
cable from the Control Center or Preamplifier
Power Control Out to the MC75 POWER CONTROL IN.
2. Connect a cable from the Balanced Output of a
McIntosh Preamplifier or Control Center to the
MC75 BALANCED INPUT. Place the INPUT
MODE Switch in the BALANCED Position.
Note: An optional hookup is to use an unbalanced
cable and place the INPUT MODE Switch in
the UNBALANCED Position.
When connecting Loudspeakers to the MC75 it is very
important to use cables of adequate size, so there is
little to no power loss in the cables. The size is specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (American Wire
Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the
wire size:
Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide
Loudspeaker
Impedance
2 Ohms
4 Ohms
8 Ohms
25 feet
(7.62 meters)
or less
12AWG10AWG8AWG
14AWG12AWG10AWG
16AWG14AWG12 AWG
3. This McIntosh MC75 Tube Power Amplifier is designed for the connection of a single Loudspeaker
with an impedance of 2 ohms, 4 ohms or 8 ohms.
Note: The remaining Loudspeaker Terminals on the
50 feet
(15.24 meters)
or less
100 feet
(30.48 meters)
or less
Amplifier should not be connected to another
Loudspeaker.
4. Prepare the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables that
attach to the Amplifier by choosing one of the
methods below:
Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the
cable ends, refer to figures 1, 2 & 3. If the cable
is stranded, carefully twist the strands together
as tightly as
possible.
Note: If
desired,
the
twisted
ends can be tinned with solder to keep the
strands together, or attach spade lug and/or
banana connector.
Spade lug or prepared wire connection:
Insert the spade lug connector or prepared section of the cable end into the terminal side access hole, and tighten the terminal cap until the
cable is firmly clamped into the terminal so the
wires cannot
slip out. Refer to figures
4, 5 & 6.
Banana plug connection:
Insert the banana plug into the hole at the top of
the terminal. Refer to figures A and B.
Note: Banana
Plugs are
for use
in the
United
States
and Canada only.
When making Loudspeaker Connections to the MC75
refer to the Connection Diagram on the next page.
This is an example of a typical audio system, your
system may vary from this, however the actual Loudspeaker would be connected in a similar manner.
5. Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables from a
single Loudspeaker to the MC75 Negative Output
Terminal identified as COMmon and Positive Out-
put Terminal indentified as 2Ω (ohms), 4Ω (ohms)
or 8Ω (ohms) connection that matches the imped-
ance of the Loudspeaker, being careful to observe
the correct polarities. If the Loudspeaker’s impedance is in-between the available connections, use
the nearest lower impedance connection. Refer to
“General Information” Note 4 on page 6 for additional information.
WARNING: Loudspeaker terminals are hazard-
ous live and present a risk of electric
shock.
6. Connect the MC75 Power Cord to a live AC outlet.
Loudspeaker
10
Page 11
Preamplifier
How to Connect
COM 2 Ω 4Ω 8Ω
Connect to
AC Outlet
11
Page 12
Left Side Panel Display and Switches
INPUT SENSITIVITY
switch selects between
1.7V or 0.85V setting
INPUT MODE switch
selects between balanced
or unbalanced input
12
POWER Switch Turns
AC Power ON, or OFF/
ST BY(St andby)
Standby Power On and Sentry Monitor
Tube Protection Activation Indicator
Page 13
How to Operate
Power On
To have the MC75 automatically turn On or Off when
a Preamplifier or A/V Control Center turns on or off,
place the Power Switch to OFF/STBY(Standby) position. For manual operation, place the
Power Switch to the ON position as
desired. Refer to figure 7.
Note: There must be a power
control connection between the MC75 and the
Preamplifier/A/V Control Center, in order for the
remote power turn-on to function.
Figure 7
Input Mode Switch
The Input Mode Switch, which is located
on the Left Side Panel of the MC75, allows you to select either the BAL (Bal-
anced) or UNBAL (Unbalanced) Input.
Refer to figure 8.
Figure 8
Input Sensitivity Switch
The Input Sensitivity Switch, which is located on
the Left Side Panel of the MC75, allows
matching the Preamplifier or A/V Control
Center output voltage capability so the
MC75 Power Amplifier can be driven to
Figure 9
full power output. Refer to figure 9.
With the MC75 is connected to most McIntosh
Preamplifiers or A/V Control Centers the correct setting of the Input Sensitivity Switch would be the 1.7V
position.
While listening to a recording with a wide dynamic
range, adjust the volume control on the Preamplifier or
A/V Control Center so during the loud passages of the
recording of the approximate rotational position of the
Preamplifier or A/V Control Center Volume
Control
is at the 2 O’Clock setting. If the Preamplifier or A/V
Control Center has an Electronic Volume Display,
adjust the Volume Display for an indication of 70% or
0dB.
This will help to assure the widest useful range of
volume control settings especially when listening to
music at lower levels. Refer to figure 9.
Standby/Protection Indicator
The MC75 Sentry Monitor Tube Protection Circuitry
provides protection to the Power Amplifier in the
event of an impedance mismatch1 between the MC75
and the Loudspeaker. It will also activate if there is
a short circuit at the MC75 Output Terminals (or the
Loudspeaker Terminals) or if a MC75 Power Output
Tube should fail. During normal operation the Sentry
Monitor Tube Protection Circuitry has no effect on the
performance of the Power Amplifier.
In the event a problem occurs, the MC75 Sentry
Monitor Tube Protection Circuitry will activate to
prevent potentially destructive high levels of current
from flowing in the amplifier. The Front Panel Standby LED will start flashing indicating the
Protection Circuitry has activated and the
AC Power to the MC75 is halted. Refer to
figure 10.
Figure 10
To reset the Sentry Monitor Tube Protection Circuitry first note the position of the POWER
Switch. If the POWER Switch is set to the OFF/STBY
position, switch Off the Preamplifier or A/V Control
Center for approximately one minute and then switch
the Preamplifier or A/V Control Center On. When
the POWER Switch set to the ON position, place the
POWER Switch to the OFF/STBY for approximately
one minute, then place the POWER Switch to the ON
position.
How to Operate
1
The impedance of a Loudspeaker actually varies as the
Loudspeaker reproduces different frequencies. As a result,
the nominal impedance rating of the Loudspeaker (usually
measured at a midrange frequency) might not always agree
with the impedance of the Loudspeaker at low frequencies
where the greatest amount of power is required. Contact the
Loudspeaker Manufacturer for additional information about
the actual impedance of the Loudspeaker before connecting
it to the McIntosh MC75.
13
Page 14
Specications
Power Output
Minimum sine wave continuous average power output
is:
75 watts into 2 ohm load
75 watts into 4 ohm load
75 watts into 8 ohm load
Output Load Impedance
2, 4 or 8 ohms
Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20,000Hz
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power
level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to
20,000Hz
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz
Input Sensitivity (for rated output)
1.7 Volt or 0.85 Volt Unbalanced
3.4 Volt or 1.7 Volt Balanced
Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
110dB below rated output
Wide Band Damping Factor
Greater than 18
Input Impedance
20,000 ohms Unbalanced
15,000 ohms Balanced
Tube Compliment
1 - 12AX7A Input and Phase Inverter
2 - 12AT7 Voltage Amplifier and Driver
2 - KT88 Power Output
Power Requirements
100V ~ 50/60Hz at 2.2 Amps
110V ~ 50/60Hz at 1.8 Amps
120V ~ 50/60Hz at 1.8 Amps
220V ~ 50/60Hz at 1.0 Amps
230V ~ 50/60Hz at 0.9 Amps
240V ~ 50/60Hz at 0.9 Amps
Standby: 0.5 watt
Note: Refer to the right side panel of the MC75 for the
correct voltage.
Overall Dimensions
Width is 17-3/4 inches (45.09cm) including Cables
Height is 8-1/2 inches (21.59cm) including feet
Depth is 8-1/2 inches (21.59cm)
Specications
Weig ht
38 pounds (17.24 kg) net, 43.5 pounds (19.73 kg) in
shipping carton
Shipping Carton Dimensions
Width is 21 inches (53.34cm)
Depth is 13-1/2 inches (34.29cm)
Height is 15-1/8 inches (38.42 cm)
Intermodulation Distortion
0.5% maximum, if the instantaneous peak power
output does not exceed twice the rated power output
for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to
20,000Hz.
14
Page 15
Packing Instructions
SHIPPING
CARTON
FOAM PAD
BOTTOM
TUBE COVER
WITH TUBE
FOAM INSERT
INSIDE TO
PROTECT THE
TUBES
POLY BAG
FOAM PAD
TOP
UNIT WITH
(4) FEET ON
BOTTOM
COVER
WARNING
SHEET
In the event it is necessary to repack the equipment
for shipment, the equipment must be packed exactly
as shown below. It is very important that the four feet
are attached to the bottom of the equipment. This will
ensure the proper equipment location on the bottom
foam pad. Failure to do this will result in shipping
damage.
To protect the tubes during shippment, the Foam
Insert removed from the MC75 needs to be re-inserted. Follow the unpacking instructions on pages 4-5 in
the reverse order.
Use the original shipping carton and interior parts
only if they are all in good serviceable condition. If
a shipping carton or any of the interior part(s) are
needed, please call or write Customer Service Department of McIntosh Laboratory, refer to page 3. Please
see the Part List for the correct part numbers.
Quantity Part Number Description
1 034469 Shipping carton
1 034468 Foam Pad Top
2 034474 Foam Pad Bottom
1 034471 Foam Insert (for protecting
the Tubes during shipping)
1 041122 Warning Sheet
4 400131 10-32 x 1/2 inch screw
4 163073 Feet
Packing Instructions
15
Page 16
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, NY 13903
www.mcintoshlabs.com
The continuous improvement of its products is the
policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who
reserve the right to improve design without notice.
Printed in the U.S.A.
McIntosh Part No. 04111600
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