McIntosh MCD301 User Manual

SACD/CD Player

MCD301

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.

CAUTION -

Invisible Laser Radiation when open. DO NOT stare into the beam or view directly with optical instruments. Use of controls or adjustments or performance of proce dures other than those specified in the Owners Manual may result in Hazardous Radiation Exposure.

LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE

KLASS 1 LASER APPARAT

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.

VAROITUS!

VARNING!

This product incorporates an embedded

Laitteen kayttaminen muulla kuin tassa kayttoohjeessa mainitulla tavalla saattaa altistaa kayttajan turvallisuusluokan 1 ylittavalle nakymattomalle lasersateiiylle.

Om apparaten anvands pa annat satt an i denna bruksanvisning specifi cerats, kan anvandaren utsattas for osynbg laserstraining, som overskrider gransen for laserklass 1.

CLASS 3R Laser (IEC60825-1).

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.

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.

Thank You

Table of Contents

Your decision to own this McIntosh MCD301 SACD/CD Player 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

Safety Instructions ............................................................

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

Technical Assistance and Customer Service .................... 4

Table of Contents .............................................................. 4

General Information .........................................................4

Disc Information ...............................................................5

Connector and Cable Information ....................................

Introduction ....................................................................... 6

MCD301 Features ............................................................. 6

Dimensions .......................................................................7

Installation ........................................................................8

Connections:

Rear Panel Connections ....................................................

How to Connect Control, Analog and Digital Audio ..... 10

How to Connect Directly to a Power Amplifier ............. 11

Front Panel Features:

Front Panel Displays, Controls, Push-buttons and Jack . 12

Front Panel Information Displays ................................... 13

Remote Control:

Remote Control Push-buttons ......................................... 14

How to Operate by Remote Control ...............................15

Operation:

How to Operate the MCD301 ......................................... 16

Additional Information:

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

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

General Information

2 4

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. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MCD301 SACD/CD Player.

2. The Super Audio Compact Discs Audio Signals are converted internally from Digital to Analog.

3. A PCM version of the decoded MP3 and WMA Signals is available at the Digital Audio Outputs.

Disc and Connector Information

PIN 2

PIN 1

PIN 3

Power Control

Ground

N/C

Data Signal

N/C

Data Ground

IR Data Control

Ground

N/C

Disc Information

1. Compact Discs that are not round (e.g. Novelty discs with octagonal or heart shapes) will not play properly in the MCD301 and should not be tried, as possible damage may occur.

2. The MCD301 SACD/CD Player is designed to play all standard CD Audio Discs that conform to the Official Compact Disc Standards which is indicated by the Symbol. It will also play most CD-R and CD-RW discs, however some recorded discs may not be able to play due to the condition of the recording.

3. CD Audio Discs recorded in the MP3 and WMA Formats will playback on the MCD301, except discs that contain multi-session recordings. Some MP3 or WMA recorded discs may not be able to play due to the condition of the recording. When ever possible, set the writing software to the ISO9660 Level 1 standard.

4. The CD audio side of the Dual Disc does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications found in the industry “Redbook”; the MCD301 may not read Dual Discs.

5. Several of the SACD performance features available on the MCD301 are active only if the SACD Disc includes the supporting encoded information.

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Output Connectors on the MCD301. Refer to the diagram for connection: PIN 1: Shield/Ground PIN 2: + Output PIN 3: - Output

Power Control Connector

The MCD301 Power Control Input/Output Jacks receive/ send Power On/Off Signals when con nected to other McIntosh Components. A 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug is used for connection to the Power Control Input/Output on the MCD301.

Note: The Data ad Power Control Connecting Cable is avail-

able 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.

Data and IR Input Port Connectors

The MCD301 Data In Port receives Remote Control Signals. A 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug is used for connection. The IR Ports also use a 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug and allow the connection of other brand IR Receivers to the MCD301.

Introduction

The McIntosh MCD301 SACD/CD Player offers the latest in audio technology, providing state of the art reproduction of audio program sources. A full complement of performance features allows for the enjoyment of the SACD special audio format available on discs. Audio CDs are also reproduced with f lawless realism. The advanced mechanical design of the transport ensures many years of smooth trouble free operation.

MCD301 Features

• Twin Laser Pickup

The MCD301 incorporates two laser elements, with different wavelengths, that are focused through one lens assembly. This unique design allows reading both the CD and Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) Discs Formats.

• Advanced Transport

The MCD301 has a new transport with a Die Cast Mecha nism Base and Disc Tray. It has the latest in advanced digital servo for faster, quieter and accurate operation. The SACD and CD Audio Data is read into memory from the disc at twice the normal rate. The fast read speeds help to insure better disc tracking and error correction processing.

• Super Audio Disc Playback

The MCD301 plays the higher resolution SACD Discs with extreme precision and musical elegance.

• Multi-Bit Digital to Analog Converter

The 24-bit, 192kHz Digital to Analog Converter has a wide dynamic range and extremely low distortion.

• Front Panel Level Control

With headphones connected to the MCD301, the Level Control allows varing the volume level of the music. It can also be used for matching the volume level of the MCD301 with other components in the system.

Introduction and Performance Features

• Balanced Outputs

The MCD301 has both variable and fixed Balanced Out puts, permitting long cable lengths without a loss in sound quality.

• Digital Audio Outputs

There are Coaxial and Optical Digital Outputs for external decoding of the PCM Signal.

• Power Control

The Power Control Input connection provides convenient Turn-On/Off of the MCD301 when connected to a McIn tosh System with Power Control. The Power Control Output connection can control a McIntosh Power Amplifier in a high quality disc playback system.

• Full Function Remote Control

The Remote Control provides complete control of the MCD301 operating functions including adjustment of the volume level. The push-buttons on the Remote Control are illuminated.

• Special Power Supply

The Linear Power Supply has both a special R-Core Power Transformer and Multiple Regulators to ensure stable noise free operation even though the power line varies.

• Fiber Optic Solid State Front Panel Illumination

The Illumination of the Glass Front Panel is accomplished by the combination of custom designed Fiber Optic Light Diffusers and extra long life Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). This provides even Front Panel Illumination and is designed to ensure the pristine beauty of the MCD301 will be retained for many years.

• Multi-Function Front Panel Display

The MCD301 Front Panel display indicates the current disc playback status and the variable audio output volume level at the same time on a continuous basis.

• Drive a Power Amplifier Directly

The Variable Output Connections provide up to 6 Volts. This is more than enough signal to drive any Power Am plifier directly; forming a high quality SACD/CD Disc Playback System.

Dimensions

31%02:38

17-1/2"

44.45cm

4-5/8"

11.75cm

15.24cm

14-1/2"

36.83cm

15-7/8"

40.32cm

3/16"

0.48cm

4-13/16"

12.22cm

10-1/2"

26.67cm

13-1/4"

33.65cm

17"

43.18cm

5/8"

1.59cm

Front View of the MCD301

Rear View of the MCD301

Side View of the MCD301

5-3/8"

13.69cm

13/16"

2.06cm

5.08cm

1-15/16"

4.92cm

The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MCD301. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MCD301 into cabinets.

Dimensions

Installation

31%02:38

4-7/8"

12.38cm

17-1/16"

43.34cm

Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting

MCD301 Front Panel Custom Cabinet Cutout

8-5/8"

21.91cm

15-1/2"

39.37cm

15-1/16"

38.26cm

2.54cm

Cutout Opening for Ventilation

Support Shelf

Cabinet Front Panel

Chassis Spacers

MCD301 Side View in Custom Cabinet

MCD301 Bottom View in Custom Cabinet

1-1/16"

2.70cm

12-5/16"

31.27cm

7.62cm

Note: Center the cutout Horizontally on the unit. For purposes of clarity, the above illustration is not drawn to scale.

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The MCD301 can be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its four feet. It also can be custom installed in a piece of furniture or cabinet of your choice. The four feet may be removed from the bottom of the MCD301 when it is custom installed as outlined below. The four feet together with the mounting screws should be retained for possible future use if the MCD301 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing. The required panel cutout, ventilation cutout and unit dimensions are shown. Always provide adequate ventilation for your MCD301. Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not install the MCD301 directly above a heat generating component such as a high powered amplifier. If all the components are installed in a single cabinet, a quiet running ventilation fan can be a definite asset in maintaining all the system components at the coolest possible operating temperature. A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation.

Allow at least 2 inches (5.08cm) above the top, 2 inches (5.08cm) below the bottom and 1 inch (2.54cm) on each side of the SACD/CD Player, so that airf low is not obstructed. Allow 17 inches (43.18cm) depth behind the front panel. Allow 1-1/8 inch (2.9cm) in front of the mounting panel for knob clearance. Be sure to cut out a ventilation hole in the mounting shelf according to the dimensions in the drawing.

Installation

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