MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier Owner’s 1Manual
Introduction W elcome to the Jeff Rowland Design Group “family” and congratulations on your purchase of what is J eff Rowland Design Group, Inc. unquestionably one of the world’s finest audio power amplifiers.
Product Features • • XLR input connectors for balanced (Differential Mode) system Automatic bias adjustment maintains optimal bias setting regardless of source signal or loudspeaker load. configuration. • RCA input Connectors for unbalanced system configurations. • Standby power mode reduces warm-up time. • User selectable switching between balanced and unbalanced • Fail-safe operation provided by user-resetable magnetic and thermal circuit breakers located on rear panel. connections.
Contents MCMC- 6 MultiMulti- Channel Power Amplifier AC Power Cable Spiked Coupling Supports Compliant Isolation Pads 4 Speaker Terminal Hand Wrench Warranty Card
Initial Inspection, Unpacking, and Contents Initial Inspection I nspect the shipping container for damage. To unpack the amplifier, stand the shipping case upright and unlock the top cover. Remove the top cover and open the gray liner bag to reveal the handles of the amplifier. Using the handles, the amplifier should be lifted straight out of the case and rested on its rear handles, standing upright.
Amplifier Maintenance and Cleaning Maintenance and Cleaning A ll Jeff Rowland Design Group products are designed to provide a Please contact the factory before trying any type of cleanser on the chassis other than water to clean the unit. lifetime of enjoyment and listening pleasure. The chassis is sealed to prevent dust from entering and the interior of the chassis should not need cleaning during the lifetime of the product.
Amplifier Front Panel Function Control Amplifier Front Panel Front Panel Standby/Power Button 7
Amplifier Front Panel Function Control B efore attempting any system interconnection, please familiarize yourself with the front panel control of the MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier. The description below refers to the illustration above. FRONT PANEL STANDBY/POWER BUTTON: Press this button to operate the amplifier. Press again to place the amplifier in Standby mode. This button will illuminate when the amplifier is operational.
Amplifier Rear Panel Function Controls Amplifier Rear Panel 2 3 9 1
Amplifier Rear Panel Function Controls B efore attempting any system interconnection, please familiarize yourself with the rear panel controls of the MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier. The descriptions below refer to the illustrations above. 2 INPUT SELECT SWITCH FOR CHANNELS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6: This 1 INPUT LINK SWITCHES FOR CHANNELS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, AND 6: These switch selects either the unbalanced RCA inputs or the balanced XLR inputs.
Rear Panel Power Connections Amplifier Rear Panel 4 1 3 11 2
Installation Rear Panel Power Connections L ocate the amplifier as close as possible to its final installation point. Important: Important: Please strictly follow the steps in order as outlined below Allow access to the rear panel for making connections. before operating your MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier. The MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier is convection cooled, eliminating the need for fan or forced-air cooling.
Use, Care, and Signal Connections Signal Connections T he Jeff Rowland Design Group MC-6 Power Amplifier has been designed with numerous protection circuits and to be able to operate at the highest level of performance in any normal operating situation. However, there are a few important use and care principles that must be kept in mind when operating the amplifier.
Signal Connections Contents Directory T he Jeff Rowland Design Group MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier features an innovative multi-channel adjustment topology that allows the amplifier to be configured for mono, stereo, three-, four-, five-, or even 6-channel operation. This flexibility means monoblock, two-channel stereo, bi-amplification, tri-amplification, and a number of home theater applications can be realized within a single amplifier chassis with a few easy adjustments.
Diagram for SingleSingle- Channel Monoblock Configuration Left or Right Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input CH 1 Link 1 to 2 Channel 2 Input CH 2 Link 2 to 3 Channel 3 Input Link Outputs of Channels 1 and 2, Channels 2 and 3, Channels 3 and 4, Channels 4 and 5, and Channels 5 and 6: Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative CH 3 Link 3 to 4 Channel 4 Input CH 4 Link 4 to 5 Channel 5 Input CH 5 Link 5 to 6 Channel 6 Input CH 6 15 Full Range Loudspeaker
To Configure the the Amplifier for SingleSingle- Channel Monoblock Use 3 Using the output terminal linking cables of your choice (see page 1 Connect the left or right channel interconnect from your pre- 14), connect the output binding posts of CHANNEL 1 to CHANNEL 2, CHANNEL 2 to CHANNEL 3, CHANNEL 3 to CHANNEL 4, CHANNEL 4 to CHANNEL 5, and CHANNEL 5 to CHANNEL 6.
Diagram for TwoTwo- Channel Stereo, High Current Configuration Left Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input CH 1 Link 1 to 2 Channel 2 Input CH 2 Link Outputs of Channels 1 and 2 and Channels 2 and 3, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative Link 2 to 3 Channel 3 Input CH 3 Full Range Loudspeaker Link 3 to 4 Channel 4 Input CH 4 Link 4 to 5 Channel 5 Input Link Outputs of Channels 4 and 5 and Channels 5 and 6, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative.
To Configure the Amplifier for TwoTwo- Channel Stereo, High High Current Use 4 Using the output terminal linking cables of your choice (see page 1 Connect the left channel interconnect from your pre-amp or 14), connect the output binding posts of CHANNEL 1 to CHANNEL 2 and CHANNEL 2 to CHANNEL 3. source component to the CHANNEL 1 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector.
Diagram Diagram for TwoTwo- Channel Stereo, Vertical BiBi- Amplification Use Left Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input CH 1 Woofer Bi-Wireable Loudspeaker Link 1 to 2 Channel 2 Input CH 2 Tweeter Link 2 to 3 Channel 3 Input CH 3 Link 3 to 4 Channel 4 Input CH 4 Link 4 to 5 Channel 5 Input CH 5 Tweeter Link 5 to 6 Right Channel Preamp Output Channel 6 Input Bi-Wireable Loudspeaker CH 6 19 Woofer
To Configure the Amplifier for TwoTwo- Channel Stereo, Vertical BiBi- Amplification Use Use 4 Using the output terminal linking cables of your choice (see page 1 Connect the left channel interconnect from your pre-amp or 14), connect the output binding posts of CHANNEL 3 to CHANNEL 2. source component to the CHANNEL 1 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector.
Diagram for TwoTwo- Channel Stereo, Vertical TriTri- Amplification Configuration Left Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input CH 1 Woofer CH 2 Midrange CH 3 Tweeter CH 4 Tweeter CH 5 Midrange CH 6 Woofer Link 1 to 2 Channel 2 Input Tri-Wireable Loudspeaker Link 2 to 3 Channel 3 Input Link 3 to 4 Channel 4 Input Link 4 to 5 Channel 5 Input Link 5 to 6 Right Channel Preamp Output Channel 6 Input 21 Tri-Wireable Loudspeaker
To Configure the Amplifier for TwoTwo- Channel Stereo, Vertical TriTri- Amplification Use 1 Connect the left channel interconnect from your pre-amp or 5 Connect your left woofer loudspeaker cable to the Channel 1 2 Connect the right channel interconnect from your pre-amp or 6 Connect your right woofer loudspeaker cable to the Channel 6 3 Flip the LINK INPUT 2 TO 1/UNLINK (NORMAL) switch “ON”, or up The signal connections are now complete. connections before operating the amplifier.
Diagram for ThreeThree- Channel Configuration Left Front Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input Full Range Loudspeaker CH 1 Link 1 to 2 Channel 2 Input CH 2 Link Outputs of Channels 1 and 2, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative Link 2 to 3 Center Channel Preamp Output Channel 3 Input Center Channel Loudspeaker CH 3 Link 3 to 4 Channel 4 Input Link Outputs of Channels 3 and 4, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative CH 4 Link 4 to 5 Channel 5 Input Link 5 to 6 Right Front Channe
To Configure the Amplifier for Three Channel Use 5 Using the output terminal linking cables of your choice (see page 1. 1 Connect the left front channel interconnect from your pre-amp 14), connect the output binding posts of CHANNEL 1 to CHANNEL 2. or source component to the CHANNEL 1 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector. Select the correct balanced or unbalanced input connector by flipping the Channel 1 BAL/UNBAL switch towards the connector that is being used.
Diagram for FourFour- Channel Configuration Left Channel 1 Preamp Output Channel 1 Input Full Range Loudspeaker CH 1 Link 1 to 2 Channel 2 Input CH 2 Link 2 to 3 Left Channel 2 Preamp Output Channel 3 Input Link Outputs of Channels 2 and 3, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative Full Range Loudspeaker CH 3 Link 3 to 4 Right Channel 1 Preamp Output Channel 4 Input CH 4 Link 4 to 5 Channel 5 Input Link Outputs of Channels 4 and 5, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative CH 5 Fu
To Configure the Amplifier for FourFour- Channel Use 5 Flip the LINK INPUT 5 TO 4/UNLINK (NORMAL) switch “ON”, or up 1 Connect the left channel 1 interconnect from your pre-amp or towards LINK INPUT 5 TO 4. Flip the LINK INPUT 3 TO 2/UNLINK (NORMAL) switch “ON”, or up towards LINK INPUT 3 TO 2. source component to the CHANNEL 1 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector.
Diagram for FiveFive- Channel Configuration Left Front Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input Left Front Full Range Loudspeaker CH 1 Link 1 to 2 Center Channel Preamp Output Channel 2 Input CH 2 Link 2 to 3 Channel 3 Input CH 3 Link Outputs of Channels 2 and 3, Positive to Positive and Negative to Negative Center Channel Loudspeaker Link 3 to 4 Left Rear Channel Preamp Output Channel 4 Input CH 4 Left Rear Loudspeaker CH 5 Right Rear Loudspeaker Link 4 to 5 Right Rear Channel Preamp Output
To Configure the Amplifier for FiveFive- Channel Use 1 Connect the left front channel interconnect from your pre-amp 5 Connect the right front channel interconnect from your pre-amp 2 Connect the center channel interconnect from your pre-amp or 6 Flip the LINK INPUT 3 TO 2/UNLINK (NORMAL) switch “ON”, or up or source component to the CHANNEL 6 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector.
Diagram for SixSix- Channel Channel Configuration Left Front Channel Preamp Output Channel 1 Input CH 1 Left Front Full Range Loudspeaker CH 2 Left Rear Loudspeaker CH 3 Center Channel Loudspeaker CH 4 Passive Subwoofer Link 1 to 2 Left Rear Channel Preamp Output Channel 2 Input Link 2 to 3 Center Channel Preamp Output Channel 3 Input Link 3 to 4 Subwoofer Preamp Output Channel 4 Input Link 4 to 5 Right Rear Channel Preamp Output Channel 5 Input CH 5 Right Rear Loudspeaker CH 6 Right
To Configure the Amplifier for SixSix- Channel Use 6 Connect the passive subwoofer channel interconnect from your 1. 1 Connect the left front channel interconnect from your pre-amp pre-amp or source component to the CHANNEL 4 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector. Select the correct balanced or unbalanced input connector by flipping the Channel 4 BAL/UNBAL switch towards the connector that is being used. or source component to the CHANNEL 1 balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA input connector.
MCMC- 6 MultiMulti- Channel Power Amplifier Specifications Power Output per Channel: Continuous RMS watts @8 ohms @4 ohms Monoblock: Two-Channel: Six-Channel: 330 watts 250 watts 150 watts 600 watts 400 watts 250 watts Power Bandwidth: 0.1 Hz to 160 kHz, -3 dB Slew Rate: 25 volts/microsecond THD + Noise: Less than 0.
Basic Troubleshooting A summary of fault conditions and their causes and remedies are listed below. The MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier can produce high power levels that, without well-designed protection circuitry, could damage loudspeakers. Therefore, most fault conditions will result in the MC-6 reverting to Standby Mode. Condition: Cause: Remedy: Front panel STANDBY/POWER BUTTON does not illuminate after pressing, amplifier operates normally: Light bulb defective.
Additional Information I f you have any additional questions regarding the installation or operation of the MC-6 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier, please contact your authorized Jeff Rowland Design Group dealer or check the Jeff Rowland Design Group web site at http://www.jeffrowland.com.
Post Office Box 7231 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80933 USA 34
