McIntosh MP1100 Owner's Manual

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

MP1100

Phono Preamplifier

Owner’s Manual

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

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh MP1100 Phono
Preamplifier 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: [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 ...................... 2

Technical Assistance and Customer Service ............. 2

Table of Contents ....................................................... 2

General Information .................................................. 3

Connector and Cable Information ............................. 3

Introduction ................................................................ 4

Performance Features ............................................. 4-5

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

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

Connections:

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

Connecting Components ............................................. 9

Front Panel:

Front Panel Displays, Controls, Push-buttons .......... 10

Front Panel Information Displays Modes ..................11

Remote Control:

HR090 Remote Control Push-buttons ...................... 12

Setup:

How to Operate the Setup Mode .............................. 13

Default Settings, Firmware Version .......................... 13

Input Settings ....................................................... 13-14

Rename Input ............................................................ 14

Profile Store .............................................................. 15

Digital Output ........................................................... 16

Tube Lights ............................................................... 16

Power Mode .............................................................. 16

IR Sensor................................................................... 17

Factory Reset ............................................................ 17

Operation:

How to Operate the MP1100 ................................ 18-23

Trim Functions ..................................................... 18 -22

Mute, Trim and Output Meters ................................. 23

USB Input and Installing Software ...................... 24-26

Reset of Microprocessors .......................................... 25

Graphic Curves .................................................... 27-28

Rumble and Scratch Filter Curves ............................ 28

Additional Information:

Photo ......................................................................... 29

Specifications ............................................................ 30

Packing Instruction ................................................... 31

Copyright 2016 © by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2

General Information and Connector Information

General Information

1. For additional connection information, refer to the
owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected
to the MP1100 Phono Preamplifier.

2. The Main AC Power going to the MP1100 and any
other McIntosh Component(s) should not be applied
until all the system components are connected
together. Failure to do so could result in mal­functioning of some or all of the system’s normal
operations. When the MP1100 and other McIntosh
Components are in their Standby Power Off Mode,
the Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside each com­ponent is active and communication is occurring
between them.

3. The Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs may be
used simultaneously, connected to different Pream­plifiers or component recording device.

4. The MP1100 internal Analog to Digital Converter

Circuitry is designed to encode 2-channel PCM
(Pulse Code Modulation) Digital Signals. The
Coaxial and Optical Digital Audio Outputs are for
PCM Digital Signals.

5. Sound Intensity is measured in units called Deci-

bels and “dB” is the abbreviation.

6. 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.

7. For additional information on the MP1100
and other McIntosh Products please visit the McIn­tosh Web Site at www.mcintoshlabs.com.

Connector and Cable Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced
Output Connector on the MP1100. Refer to the dia­gram for connections:
PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Output
PIN 3: - Output

PIN 2 PIN 1

PIN 3

Power Control (Trigger) Connectors

When the MP1100 TRIGger IN Connector receives a
Power Control On Signal (5 to 12 volts) it will make
that signal available at the TRIG­ger OUT Connector to control
other connected McIntosh Com­ponents. An additional connection
is for controlling the illumination
of the Output Meters on McIntosh
Components. A 3.5mm stereo mini phone plug is used
for connection to the Power Control (Trigger) Connec­tors on the MP1100.

PIN 1

Power
Control

Meter
Illumination
Control

PIN 3

Ground

PIN 2

3

Introduction

The McIntosh MP1100 Phono Preamplifier is one of
the finest Phono Preamplifiers ever created and has
the ability for connections to components with analog
and digital inputs. The MP1100 reproduction is soni­cally transparent and absolutely accurate. The McIn­tosh Sound is “The Sound of the Music Itself.”

Performance Features

• Electromagnetic Input Switching

Digital Logic Circuits drive Electromagnetic Switches
on Inputs and operating functions for reliable, noise­less, distortion free switching.

• Selectable Phono Cartridge Loading

Adjustable Capacitance and Resistance Loading are
available for both Moving Coil and Moving Magnet
Phono Cartridges. Resistance Loading is selectable
from values of 25 ohms to 47,000 ohms. Capacitance
Loading is selectable from values of 50 picofarads to
400 picofarads.

• Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs
The Balanced Outputs allow connection using long

cable lengths without a loss in sound quality. The
MP1100 also has unbalanced Output connections for
compatibility with a wide range of audio components.

• Dual Mono Design

The circuitry for both channels is totally separate,
physically isolated and shielded which helps to assure
total channel isolation.

• Selectable Equalizer

In addition to normal RIAA Equalization Standard,
the MP1100 provides the ability to select four alterna­tive Equalization Settings of LP, AES, NAB or 78.
This helps to assure a desired tonal balance when
playing a wide variety of phonograph records made
before the RIAA Equalization Standard was em­ployed.

• Vacuum Tube Phono Amplification

The MP1100 utilizes Vacuum Tube Amplification
Circuitry for the Phono Inputs. The circuits use the
latest designs providing the lowest possible noise and
distortion.

• Fully Balanced Circuitry

The MP1100 utilizes the very latest in Fully Balanced
Circuitry from the Input Connectors all the way to the
Output Connectors for the lowest possible noise and
distortion.

• Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Inputs

The MP1100 has three precision Phono Preamplifier
Circuits with unbalanced and balanced connections.
They have the ability to be configured for Moving
Coil or Moving Magnet Cartridges. The close toler­ance resistors and capacitors used in the Equaliza­tion Circuitry provide an extremely flat frequency
response.

• Rumble and Scratch Filters

Selectable Rumble and Scratch Filters can improve the
quality of sound when playing back older vinyl recod­ings.

• Digital Audio Outputs

The Digital Outputs encode PCM Signals from the
selected Input (Phono and Line). Coaxial and Optical
Outputs process Digital Signals at 96kHz or 192kHz
with 24-Bit resolution. The Digital Outputs have two
different output level settings and the Digital Circuitry
can be switched Off providing true analog only signal
processing.

• USB Digital Audio Output

The USB Digital Output provides Digital Signals at
96kHz or 192kHz with 24-Bit resolution from the
selected Input.

• Alphanumeric Fluorescent Display

The Front Panel Information Display indicates the
Source Selection, Cartridge Loading, Equalizer and
Setup Mode Selections. The display intensity is ad­justable.

• Illuminated Output Meters

The Illuminated Output Meters are peak responding,
and indicate the output of the MP1100 Phono Pream­plifier.

• Special Power Supply

The Multi Regulated Power Supply and a special
R-Core Power Transformer ensure stable noise free
operation even though the power line varies.

• Remote Control with External Sensor Input

The Remote Control provides control of the MP1100
operating functions. The External Sensor Input pro­vides Remote Control when the MP1100 is located
behind closed doors or in another room.

4

• Power Control Connections

The Power Control (PWR CTRL) TRIGger INput
Connection provides convenient Turn-On/Off of the
MP1100 when connected to a McIntosh Component
with Power Control TRIGger OUT. The MP1100
TRIGger OUT Connection provides Turn-On/Off
operation when connected with other McIntosh Audio
Components.

• LED Front Panel Illumination

The even Illumination of the Front Panel is accom­plished by multiple extra long life Light Emitting
Diodes (LEDs) arranged with a special orientation.

• Glass Front Panel and Super Mirror Chassis
Finish

The famous McIntosh Illuminated Glass Front Panel
and the Lower Chassis are Stainless Steel with a
Mirror Finish. The Upper Chassis and Top Cover is
hairline brushed black Titanium Stainless Steel Finish.
This will ensure the pristine beauty of the MP1100
will be retained for many years to come.

Introduction and Performance Features

5

Dimensions

The following dimensions can assist in determining
the best location for your MP1100. There is additional
information on the next page pertaining to installing
the MP1100 into cabinets.

Front View of the MP1100

17-1/2"

44.4cm

Dimensions

Rear View of the MP1100

17-1/8"

43.5cm

13 -1/4"

33.7cm

5-3/8"

13.7cm

4-5/8"

11.8cm

6"

15.2cm

13/16"

2.1cm

2"

5.1cm

Side View of the MP1100

15-7/8"

40.3cm

14-1/2"

36.8cm

10-9/16"

26.8cm

3/16"

0.48cm

1-15/16"

4.9cm

4-13/16"

12.22cm

6

Installation

Installation

The MP1100 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 MP1100 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
MP1100 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
MP1100. Cool operation ensures the longest possible
operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not
install the MP1100 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 6 inches (15.2cm) above the top, 2
inches (5.1cm) below the bottom and 1 inch (2.5cm)
on each side of the Preamplifier, so that airf low is not
obstructed. Allow 18-1/2 inches (47.0m) depth behind
the front panel. Allow 1-7/16 inch (3.7cm) 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.

MP1100 Front Panel
Custom Cabinet Cutout

MP1100 Side View
in Custom Cabinet

MP1100 Bottom View
in Custom Cabinet

Cabinet Front Panel

Cabinet
Front
Panel

Opening
for Ventilation

Support
Shelf

15-1/16"

38.3cm

17-3/16"

43.66cm

Opening for Ventilation

Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting

6"

15.2cm

Cutout Opening
for Ventilation

7/8"

2-

7.3cm

8-1/8"

23.2cm

Cutout
Opening
for
Ventilation

13-1/8"

33.3cm

10-3/4"

27.3cm

Chassis
Spacers

15-1/16"

39.6cm

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

1-1/8"

2.9cm

12-5/16"

31.3cm

7

Rear Panel Connections

The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the
MP1100 Phono Preamplifier is located on a separate
folded sheet contained in the Owner’s Manual Packet.
Refer to separate sheet “Mc1B” for the Rear Panel
Connections.

Rear Panel Connections

MP1100 Phono Preamplifer Rear Panel

8

Connecting Components

The MP1100 has the ability to automatically switch
power On/Off from Components via the PWR CTRL
(Power Control) TRIGger connections. Follow the
connection instructions below, together with the
MP1100 Input/Output/Control Connection Diagram
located on a separate folded sheet “Mc1A” contained
in the Owner’s Manual Packet. The connections are
an example of a typical audio system. Your system
may vary from this, however the actual components
would be connected in a similar manner. For addition­al information refer to “Connector and Cable Informa­tion” on page 3.

Power Control (Trigger) Connections:

1. Connect a Control Cable from the MP1100 Power
Control TRIGger Out Jack to the Power Control In
on the Turntable 1.

2. Optionally, connect a Control Cable from the
Turntable 1 Power Control Out Jack to the Power
Control In on the Turntable 2.

3. Optionally, connect a Control Cable from the
Main Audio Preamplifier Power Control Out to
the MP1100 Power Control TRIGger IN.

Note: This optional Power Control Connection will

allow the MP1100 to automatically switch ON
and OFF when the Main Audio Preamplifier is
On or Off.

4. Connect any additional Components in a similar

manner, as outlined in steps 1 and 2.

Audio Connections:

5. Connect Audio Cables from the MP1100 PHONO

1 INPUT Jacks (Left and Right) to Turntable 1
(Left and Right) Output Jacks.

Note: If Turntable 1 has Balanced XLR Output Con-

nectors and has a Phono Cartridge installed
(with Balanced Output Connections), connect
XLR Audio Cables to the MP1100 PHONO 3
INPUT BALanced Connectors.

6. Optionally, connect Audio Cables from the
MP1100 PHONO 2 INPUT Jacks (Left and Right)
to Turntable 2 (Left and Right) Output Jacks.

Note: If Turntable 2 has Balanced XLR Output Con-

nectors and has a Phono Cartridge installed
(with Balanced Output Connections), connect
XLR Audio Cables to the MP1100 PHONO 3
INPUT BALanced Connectors.

7. Connect an additional Turntable in a similar man­ner, as outlined in steps 5 and 6.

8. Connect an Audio Cable from the MP1100 LINE
1 INPUT (Left and Right) Jacks to the Integrated
Amplifier REC Output Jacks.

Note: If the component has Balanced Output Con-

nections use the MP1100 LINE 2 BALanced
INPUT.

9. Connect any additional Components in a similar
manner, as outlined in step 8.

Optional USB Connection:

10. Connect a USB cable with (Type A to Type B)
connectors from the MP1100 USB DIGITAL
OUTPUT connector to an available USB connec­tor on the computer.

Analog Output Connection:

11. Connect XLR audio cables from the MP1100

BALanced OUTPUT (Left and Right) to the Ana­log only Preamplifier Balanced Input 5 (Left and
Rig ht).

Note: If the Preamplifier has Unbalanced Inputs then

connect the MP1100 unbalanced Output Jacks
to the Preamplifier unbalanced Input Jacks.

Optional Digital Output Connection:

12. Connect a Digital Coaxial Cable from the MP1100
COAXial DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT Jack to
the Digital only Preamplifier Digital Audio Input
Coaxial 2 Jack.

Connecting Components

Note: If the Preamplifier has Optical Inputs then

connect the MP1100 Optical Output Connector
to the Preamplifier Optical Input Connector.

Ground Connections:

13. Connect the Ground Cable coming from the
Turntable(s) to the MP1100 TURNTABLE
GROUND Binding Post(s).

AC Power Cord Connections:

14. Connect the MP1100 to a live AC Outlet using the
supplied Power Supply Cord.

9

Front Panel Displays, Controls and Push-buttons

INPUT Control used to
select a source for listening
and recording. The control is
also used to enter the TRIM
or SETUP Modes and select
the various functions

Meter indicates the
Left Channel Output
of the Preamplifier

IR Sensor receives
commands from a
Remote Control

Meter indicates the
Right Channel Output
of the Preamplifier

LOAD Control used to
select the Resistance value
in Ohms and Capacitance
value in Picofarads that is
added to the Input Signal
Path for a flat Frequency
Response from the con­nected MM or MC Phono
Cartridge

10

MUTE Push-button mutes
the audio from the Loud­speakers and Headphones

STANDBY/ON Push-button
with indicator, switches the
MP1100 ON or OFF (Standby)
and resets the microprocessors

INFORMATION DISPLAY indicates the Sources, Resis­tive value in Ohms and Capacitance value in Picofarads,
other Audio Settings, Operational Functions and Setup
Mode Settings