Mcintosh MCT500 User Manual

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: [phone] www.mcintoshlabs.com

MCT500

SACD/CD Transport

Owner’s Manual

The lightning ash with arrowhead, within an equilateral

ATTENTION:

RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR

triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of
uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s en­closure that may be of sufcient 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

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.

MOISTURE.

Additional Safety Information is supplied in a separate document “Important Additional Operation Information Guide”

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 procedures other than those
specified in the Owners Manual
may result in Hazardous Radiation
Exposure.

ATTENTI O N: Rayonnnement Laser Invisible en

cas d’ouverture. Ne pas regarder
dans le faisceau ni observer di­rectement à l’aide d’instruments
d’optiques. L’utilisation de
commandes, de réglages ou
d’instructions autres que ceux
spécifiés dans le manuel du
propriétaire peut entraîner une
exposition x à des rayonnements
dangereux

VAROITUS!

VARNING! Om apparaten anvands pa annat satt an i

LUOKAN 1 LASERLAITE

KLASS 1 LASER APPARAT

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

denna bruksanvisning specificerats, kan
anvandaren utsattas for osynbg laser­straining, som overskrider gransen for
laserklass 1.

This product incorporates an embedded

CLASS 3R Laser (IEC60825-1).

2

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh MCT500 SACD/
CD Transport 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 visual and
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: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

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: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Table of Contents

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

(Separate Sheet) ................... Important Additional

Operation Information Guide

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

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

Table of Contents ....................................................... 3

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

Connector and Cable Information ............................. 4

Disc Information ..................................................... 4-5

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

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

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

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

Connections:

Rear Panel Connections ............................................. 8

Connections using to Analog Preamplifier

and Integrated Amplifier ........................................10

Connection Diagrams (Separate Sheet) ............. Mc1A

Connections using to Digital Preamplifier ...............11

Connection Diagram (Separate Sheet) ............... Mc1B

Front Panel Features:

Front Panel Display, USB Connector

and Push-buttons .....................................................12

Front Panel Information Display ...............................13

Remote Control:

Remote Control Push-buttons for CD Disc

and SACD Disc Playback .......................................14

How to Use the Remote Control for CD Disc

and SACD Disc Playback .......................................15

Remote Control Push-buttons for Playback
of Data CD, Data DVD Disc and USB

Flash Memory Data Drive ......................................16

How to Use the Remote Control for for Playback
of Data CD, Data DVD Disc and USB Flash

Memory Data Drive ................................................ 17

Operation:

How to Operate the MCT500 ..............................18-24

Additional Information:

Photos ....................................................................... 25

Specifications ........................................................... 26

Packing Instruction ...................................................27

Copyright 2018 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

3

General Information

Ground

1. For additional connection information, refer to the
owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected
to the MCT500 SACD/CD Transport.

2. The Super Audio Compact Discs Audio Signals are
available at the MCT Digital Audio Output Con­nector. Compact Discs Audio Signals are available
at the Digital Audio Output XRL, Optical, Coaxial
and MCT Connectors.

3. The IR Input, with a 3.5mm mini phone jack, is
configured for non-McIntosh IR sensors such as
a Xantech Model HL85BK Kit. Use a Connection
Block such as a Xantech Model ZC21 when two
or more IR sensors need to be connected to the
MCT500.

4. 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.

5. For additional information on the MCT500 and
other McIntosh Products please visit the McIntosh
Web Site at www.mcintoshlabs.com.

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors (Digital Audio)

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced
Digital Audio Connectors on the MCT500. Refer to
the diagram for connection:
PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Signal
PIN 3: - Signal

Note: When connecting to the MCT500 Digital XLR

Input and Output connectors it is important to use
a twisted pair shielded cable.

PIN 1

PIN 2

Data and IR Input Port Connectors

The MCT500 Data In Port receives
Remote Control Signals. A 3.5mm
stereo mini phone plug is used for
connection. The IR Ports also use a

3.5mm stereo mini phone plug and
allow the connection of other brand
IR Receivers to the MCT500.

Data
Signal

IR Data
Control

N/C

Data
Ground

N/C

Power Control Connector

The MCT500 Power Control Input receives an On/Off
signal from (+12 volt/0 volt). The Power Control Out­put will then send out a +12 volt
Output Signal with a total cur­rent up to 50mA. An additional
connection is for controlling the
illumination of the Power Out-

Power
Control

Meter
Illumination
Control
Pass Thru

Ground

put Meters. The 3.5mm stereo
mini phone plug connects to a McIntosh Preamplifier
or A/V Control Center Power Control Output.

Digital MCT Cable

The Digital MCT Cable supplied with the MCT500
is a McIntosh Designed Custom Cable. A substitute
cable will not work with the MCT500 and McIntosh
Preamplifiers with a Digital MCT Connector. If it
should become necessary to replace the supplied Digi­tal MCT cable, order part number 171923 from the
McIntosh Parts Department.

Disc Information

1. The MCT500 is designed to play round Compact
Discs; do not try other shapes or possible damage
may occur.

2. The MCT500 SACD/CD Transport is designed to
play all industry standard “Redbook” CD Audio
Discs as indicated by the Symbol. It will also
play most CD-R, CD-RW and Dual Discs, however
some recorded discs may not be able to play due to
the condition of the recording or manufacturing.

3. Disc with tracks recorded with MP3 and WMA
Formats will playback on the MCT500 when the
writing software used to create them conforms to
the ISO9660 Level 1 standard.

4. The PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) Digital Signal,
is the standard for Audio CD Discs and is avail­able at all Digital Audio Output Connectors on the
MCT500. Discs with WAV and MP3 file formats
are converted internally to a PCM Digital Signal.

5. Playing back Audio from a CD Disc and a SACD
Disc (CD Layer) is available at the MCT, XLR, Op­tical and Coaxial Digital Outputs. When a SACD
Disc is playing back a 2 Channel or a Multichan­nel Layer, the Digital Audio is only available at the
MCT Digital Audio Output, with the XLR, Optical
and Coaxial Outputs muted.

6. The MCT500 has the ability to playback a user
created DVD Data Disc. When a disc has Audio
Tracks up to DSD128 and PCM up to 96Khz/24Bit,
the Digital Audio Signal is available at the MCT
Digital Audio Output. PCM Audio Tracks up to
192kHz-24Bit are available at the XLR Optical and
Coaxial Digital Outputs.

4

General Information, Cable Information, Disc Information, Introduction and Performance Features

Media and Format Type of Music Playback

Format Type

Media Type

CD Disc

(R/-RW)

CD Disc

(R/-RW)

CD Disc

(R/-RW)

CD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

CD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

CD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

CD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

DVD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

DVD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

DVD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

DVD Disc

(R/-RW+R+RW)

DSD Disc

(DSD64 to
DSD128)

USB Flash Drive supports all the Disc Media Types,
Format Types and File Extensions. It also has the same
Maximum Sampling Frequencies and Bit Rates.

and

File Extension

MP3 (.mp3) 48KHz

WMA (.wma) 48KHz

ACC (.mp4) 48KHz

WAV (.wma) 48KHz 16Bit

FLAC (.ac) 48KHz 16Bit

ALAC (.m4a) 48KHz 16Bit

AIFF(.aif/aiff) 48KHz 16Bit

WAV (.wma) 192KHz Up to 24Bit

FLAC (.ac) 192KHz Up to 24Bit

ALAC (.m4a) 192KHz Up to 24Bit

AIFF(.aif/aiff) 192KHz Up to 24Bit

DSD(.diff/dsf) 5.6MHz 1Bit

Maximum

Sampling

Frequency

Maximum

Bit Rate

Up to

320kbs

Up to

320kbs

Up to

320kbs

Introduction

The McIntosh MCT500 SACD/CD Transport offers
the latest in audio technology, providing state of the
art reproduction of audio discs. A full complement of
performance features allows for the enjoyment of the
SACD and CD Disc Audio Formats. The advanced
mechanical design of the transport ensures many years
of smooth trouble free operation.

Performance Features

• Twin Laser Pickup

The MCT500 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 MCT500 has a new transport with a Die Cast
Tray. It has the latest in advanced digital servo for
faster, quieter and accurate operation. The Disc Audio
Data is read at twice the normal rate insuring better
disc tracking and error correction processing.

• USB Music Playback

The Front Panel USB Connector is for a USB Flash
Memory Drive. This provides the ability to Playback
all of the Disc Media Types at the Maximum Sam­pling Frequencies and the Highest Bit Rates available.

• Advanced Digital MCT Output

A unique Digital MCT Output connects to McIntosh
Preamplifiers with a Digital MCT Connector for the
purest possible sound quality.

• Digital Audio Outputs

The MCT500 Digital Outputs include XRL, Coaxial,
Optical and MCT Connections.

• Power Control and Full Function Remote Control

The Power Control Input Connection switches the
MCT500 On/Off with other McIntosh Components
in a system. The Remote Control provides complete
control of the MCT500 operating functions.

• Multi-Function Front Panel Display

The MCT500 Front Panel display indicates the current
disc playback status.

• Special Power Supply

Switching Power Supply with Multiple Regulators
to ensure stable noise free operation even though the
power line varies.

• Glass Front Panel and Super Mirror Chassis

The MCT500 has the famous McIntosh Illuminated
Glass Front Panel and Stainless Steel Super Mirror
Finish Chassis. These highly durable materials will
ensure the pristine beauty of the MCT500 will be
retained for many years.

• LED Front Panel Illumination

The Illumination of the Front Panel is accomplished
by 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 MCT500 will be retained for many years.

5

Dimensions

The following dimensions can assist in determining
the best location for your MCT500.

Front View of the MCT500

17-1/2"

44.5cm

Dimensions

Rear View of the MCT500

17-1/8"

43.5cm

5-3/8"

13.7cm

4-5/8"

11.8cm

6"

15.2cm

13/16"

2.1cm

1-15/16"

4.9cm

Side View of the MCT500

16-3/8"

41.6cm

14-1/2"

36.8cm

10-9/16"

26.8cm

3/16"

0.5cm

2"

5.1cm

4-7/8"

12.8cm

13 -1/4"

33.7cm

6

Installation

Installation

The MCT500 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 MCT500 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
MCT500 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
MCT500. Cool operation ensures the longest possible
operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not
install the MCT500 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 (5.1cm) above the top, 2
inches (5.1cm) below the bottom and 1 inch (2.5cm) on
each side of the SACD/CD Transport, so that airflow
is not obstructed. Allow 17 inches (43.2cm) 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.

MCT500 Front Panel
Custom Cabinet Cutout

MCT500 Side View
in Custom Cabinet

MCT500 Bottom View
in Custom Cabinet

Cabinet
Front
Panel

Support
Shelf

1"

2.54cm

17-3/16"

43.65cm

Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting

Cutout Opening for Ventilation

1-1/16"

2.70cm

8-5/8"

21.91cm

15-1/2"

39.37cm

Cutout Opening
for Ventilation

4-15/16"

12.54cm

Chassis
Spacers

15-1/16"

38.26cm

3"

7.62cm

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

12-5/16"

31.27cm

7

Rear Panel Connections

XLR DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT
sends a PCM Digital Signal to a
Preamplifier with internal D/A
Converter to decode the signal into
analog audio

POWER CONTROL IN receives
turn-on signals from a McIntosh
component and POWER CONTROL
OUT sends turn-on signals on to
another McIntosh Component

DATA IN receives control data
from a McIntosh Control Center

Connect the MCT500 power cord to a live
AC outlet. Refer to information on the
back panel of your MCT500 to determine
the correct voltage for your unit

MCT DIGITAL AUDIO OUT­PUT sends PCM or SACD Digital
Signal to a Preamplifier with
internal D/A Converter to decode
the signal into analog audio

8

OPTICAL and COAXIAL DIGITAL
AUDIO OUTPUTS send a PCM
Digital Audio Signal to a Preampli­fier or an A/V Control Center to
decode the signal into analog audio

IR IN for connecting an
IR Receiver

Notes

9