McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York C49 Audio Preamplifier Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
Important Safety Information is supplied in a separate document “Important Additional Operation Information Guide” Thank You Customer Service Your decision to own this McIntosh C49 Audio 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.
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 C49 Audio Preamplifier. 2. The Main AC Power going to the C49 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.
Introduction and Performance Features Introduction The McIntosh C49 Audio Preamplifier is one of the finest Preamplifiers ever created with connections for both analog and digital sources. The C49 Outputs have the ability to drive multiple Power Amplifiers. The C49 reproduction is sonically transparent and absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The Sound of the Music Itself.
Dimensions Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your C49. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C49 into cabinets. Front View of the C49 17-1/2" 44.4cm USB DSD256 25% 5-3/8" 13.7cm 6" 15.2cm Side View of the C49 16-1/2" 41.9cm 14-1/2" 36.8cm 3/16" 4-13/16" 0.48cm 12.22cm Rear View of the C49 17-1/8" 43.5cm 4-5/8" 11.8cm 13/16" 2.1cm 10-9/16" 26.8cm 2" 5.1cm 1-15/16" 4.9cm 13 -1/4" 33.
Installation Installation The C49 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 C49 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 C49 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
Rear Panel Connections Connecting Components The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the C49 Audio Preamplifier is located on a separate folded sheet contained in the Owner’s Manual Packet. Refer to separate sheet “Mc2B” for the Rear Panel Connections. The C49 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to Source Components via the Power Control connections. The Data Port Connections allow for the remote operation of basic functions using the C49 Remote Control HR085.
Rear Panel Connections and Connecting Components Control In Jack. 5. Connect a Control Cable from the Tuner Power Control Out Jack to the Media Bridge Pwr Ctrl (Power Control) In Jack. 6. Connect a Control Cable from the C49 POWER CONTROL TRIG (Trigger) 1 Jack to the Power Amplifier Power Control In Jack. Notes: 1. If two separate Power Amplifiers are used (Left and Right Channels), connect the Power Control Output of the first Amplifier to the Power Control Input on the second Amplifier. 2.
HR085 Remote Control Push-Buttons LEDs illuminate during the time a remote command is sent and when programming the remote control Select the DEVICE to issue a remote control command to SETUP Push-button is used as a “Shift Key” to select a function with blue color nomenclature Selects AM Tuner Operating Functions, select Output 1 when used with the SETUP/shift Push-button and Track Selection on certain McIntosh CD Players Press the Trim Push-button and then the LEVEL UP Push-button to select and adjust var
How to use the HR085 Remote Control How to use the Remote Control The supplied C49 Remote Control (HR085) is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary McIntosh Source Components connected to the C49 via the Data Ports. Notes: 1. If at any time the C49 seems unresponsive to the HR085 Remote Control Commands, press the DEVICE Push-button to select first. 2.
Front Panel Displays, Controls, Push-buttons and Jack 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 VOLUME Control allows adjustment of the listening level for both channels.
Setup How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh C49 has been factory configured for default operating settings that will allow immediate enjoyment of superb audio without the need for further adjustments. If you wish to make changes to the factory default settings, a Setup Feature is provided to customize the operating settings using the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to the C49 Front Panel Illustration on the previous page while performing the following steps.
Input Settings, con’t 2. Rotate the INPUT Control until “SETUP: Inputs, (Hold INPUT)” appears on the Information Display. Refer to figure 3 on page 13. 3. Press and hold in the INPUT Control until “SETUP: UBAL 3, On / Rename” appears on the Display. If necessary rotate the INPUT Control to select the UNBAL 3 Input. Refer to figure 5. SETUP: UNBAL 3 On/Name (Hold INPUT) Figure 5 4. To switch the UNBAL 3 Input Off, rotate the VOLUME Control Couterclockwise until the display indicates “SETUP: UNBAL 3, Off”.
Setup, con’t RENAME: BAL 1 >MEDI < SETUP: MEDIA BRDG On/Name (Hold INPUT) Figure 14 19. Repeat steps 15 thru 18 until the new name of “RENAME: BAL 1, MEDIA BRDG” is indicated on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figures 13 thru 20.
Data Ports figures 27. SETUP: HEADPHONES Mute Main Output Figure 27 8. Exit the SETUP Mode by several presses of the INPUT Control. Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 By default the Power Control TRIGger 1 and TRIGger 2 are assigned to activate when Output 1 or Output 2 is selected. Both Triggers can also be reassigned to a given Input or Inputs or go On/Off with the C49 power. In the first example, the Power Control Trigger 1 will be assigned to MAIN: 1.
Setup, con’t Passthru USB Automute Comm Port Baud Rate When the C49 is part of a Home Theater or Multichannel Audio System the Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/Video Processor or Surround Decoder can “Passthru” the C49 and onto its associated Power Amplifier(s). The Setup Mode allows selection of the specified C49 Input to be used for the Right and Left Front Channels.
Remote Control Codes IR Sensor Power Mode The Remote Control included with the C49 utilizes the NORMAL McIntosh Control Codes. The Second Set of Control Codes the C49 will respond to is referred to as the ALTERNATE Codes. The Alternate Codes are used when the C49 is used in the same location as another McIntosh Preamplifier and/or A/V Processor. This will prevent the Remote Control from affecting the operation of both units at the same time.
Setup, con’t Factory Reset Reset of the Microprocessors If it becomes desirable to reset all the adjustable settings (Setup and Trim Settings) to the factory default values, perform the following steps: 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2 on page 13. 2. Rotate the INPUT Control until “FACTORY RESET, (Hold INPUT)” appears on the Information Display. Refer to figure 48.
How to Operate the C49 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the C49 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the C49, press the STANDBY/ON Pushbutton on the Front Panel or the (Power - Green) Push-button on the Remote Control.
How to Operate the C49 2. Press the LEVEL UP / DOWN Push-buttons on the Remote Control to emphasize the Right Channel (refer to figure 65) or the Left Channel (refer to figure 66). L BALANCE R ¦¦¦¦ ¦¦¦ Figure 65 L BALANCE ¦ ¦¦¦¦ ¦¦¦ R Figure 66 The Front Panel Display indicates the Balance changes are from 0 to 50dB. After approximately 4 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.
How to Operate the C49, con’t play. Refer to figure 72. TREBLE 0 dB Figure 72 The change in the high frequencies volume level (TREBLE) can be performed by pressing the Remote Control LEVEL UP / DOWN Push-buttons or by rotating the Front Panel Volume Control to increase the Treble (refer to figure 73) or to decrease the Treble (refer to figure 74) of the high frequencies.
How to Operate the C49, con’t of operational steps for adjusting the TREBLE, BASS and MODE Selection: 1. Select “AMP METERLIGHT, On” as indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 80. AMP METERLIGHT On Figure 80 2. Switch Off the Meter Illumination by using the Front Panel Controls or Remote Control Pushbuttons. Refer to figure 81. AMP METERLIGHT Off Figure 81 After approximately 6 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.
How to Operate the C49, con’t Trim Momentarily press the Front Panel INPUT Control to activate the C49 Trim Functions. Rotate the INPUT Control to select the desired Trim Function and then use the VOLUME (adjust) Control to change the Trim setting. Refer to figure 60 on page 20. The Remote Control TRIM and LEVEL UP / DOWN Push-buttons may also be used. Approximately 6 seconds after Trim Function Selection and/or adjustments have stopped, the C49 will switch the Trim Mode Off.
How to Operate the C49, con’t Requirements: 1. A PC Computer with a functioning USB Port. 2. Windows 7 (SP1 or greater), Windows 8 (8.1) or Windows 10 Operating System. 3. An USB Cable with Type A to Type B Connectors. Figure 92 Under “PRODUCT CATEGORY” select “Preamplifiers” then under “MODEL NUMBER” select “C49”. Click on “SEARCH” then select McIntosh-HD USB Audio Windows Drive D v1.0 and download the PC Windows Driver.
Figure 100 Figure 103 Figure 105 Figure 101 Figure 102 26 Figure 104 Windows Sound Settings For proper operation of the McIntosh Product via the Computer USB Connection, it is required to make changes to Windows Sound Settings: 1. From the Windows START button, click on “CONTROL PANEL” followed by selecting “SOUND”. Refer to figure 105. 2. Referring to figure 106, first select “McIntoshHD HS USB Audio” and then click on the “Set Default” button. Notes: 1.
How to Operate the C49, con’t Control Panel Settings To activate the McIntosh-HD USB Audio Control Panel Click on the “McIntosh Icon” (located in the Windows notification area on the right side of the Task Bar) or click on the Windows “Show hidden icons”, then select the “McIntosh Icon”. Refer to figures 107 and 108. Notes: 1. It is not necessary for the McIntosh-HD USB Audio Control Panel to be running, unless it is desired to make changes to the default settings. 2.
Specifications Specifications Frequency Response +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100,000Hz Phono MM - 50 to 800pF, in 50pF steps; 47K ohms Phono MC - 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms; 100pF Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz Maximum Input Signal High Level, 5V Unbalanced, 10V Balanced Phono MM, 80mV Phono MC, 8mV Rated Output 2.
Packing Instructions Packing Instructions 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 plastic feet are attached to the bottom of the equipment. This will ensure the proper equipment location on the bottom pad. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage. Use the original shipping carton and interior parts only if they are all in good serviceable condition.
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.
