McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York C52 Audio Preamplifier Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, 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. 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.
Thank You Customer Service Your decision to own this McIntosh C52 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. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all the features and functions of your new McIntosh.
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 C52 Audio Preamplifier. 2. The Main AC Power going to the C52 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 C52 Audio Preamplifier is one of the finest Preamplifiers ever created with connections for both analog and digital sources. The C52 Outputs have the ability to drive multiple Power Amplifiers. The C52 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 C52. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C52 into cabinets. Front View of the C52 17-1/2" 44.5cm 7-1/8" 18.1cm 7-5/8" 19.4cm Side View of the C52 16-1/2" 41.9cm 14-1/2" 36.8cm 6-9/16" 16.7cm 3/16" 0.5cm Rear View of the C52 17-1/8" 43.5cm 6-3/8" 16.2cm 13/16" 2.1cm 10-9/16" 26.8cm 1-15/16" 4.9cm 13 -1/4" 33.7cm 6 2" 5.
Installation Installation The C52 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 C52 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 C52 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
Rear Panel Connections Connecting Components The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the C52 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 C52 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 C52 Remote Control HR085.
Rear Panel Connections and Connecting Components port Power Control Out Jack to the Tuner Power 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 C52 POWER CONTROL TRIG (Trigger) 1 Jack to the Power Amplifier Power Control In Jack. Notes: 1.
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 C52 Remote Control (HR085) is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary McIntosh Source Components connected to the C52 via the Data Ports. Notes: 1. If at any time the C52 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.
Setup How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh C52 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 C52 Front Panel Illustration on the previous page while performing the following steps.
Input Settings, con’t SETUP: UNBAL 4, Off”. Refer to figure 5. SETUP: UNBAL 4 Off Figure 5 5. Exit the SETUP Mode by several presses of the INPUT Control. In the following example, the UNBAL 4 Input will be switched On. Notes: 1. When an INPUT is swiched ON, its name will appear on the Front Panel Information Display when using the INPUT Control (Front Panel or Remote Control). 6. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2, on page 13. 7.
Setup, con’t Output Settings RENAME: BAL 1 >MEDIA < Figure 15 RENAME: BAL 1 >MEDIA B < Figure 16 RENAME: BAL 1 >MEDIA BR < Figure 17 RENAME: BAL 1 >MEDIA BRD < Figure 18 The Output Settings provide the ability to change how the C52 Output 1, Output 2 and Headphones function. OUTPUT 1 and 2: By defaut OUTPUT 1 and 2 are set to go On/Off by using the Front Panel OUTPUT 1 and 2 push-buttons or by using the OUTPUT 1 and 2 push-buttons on the Remote 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. TRIGger 3 and TRIGger 4 are assigned to function the same as the MAIN Power Control Jack, switching On/Off with the C52. All four Triggers can also be reassigned to a given Input or Inputs. In the first example, the Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 will be assigned to MAIN: 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE.
Setup, con’t Passthru Comm Port Baud Rate Remote Control Codes When the C52 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 C52 and onto its associated Power Amplifier(s). The Setup Mode allows selection of the specified C52 Input to be used for the Right and Left Front Channels.
IR Sensor Power Mode Factory Reset The C52 Front Panel Sensor, which receives the signals from the HR085 Remote Control, can be switched off to prevent interference when an external IR Sensor is connected. To de-activate the Front Panel IR Sensor 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 “SETUP: Front IR, Enabled” appears on the Information Display. Refer to figure 44.
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How to Operate the C52 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the C52 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the C52, press the STANDBY/ON Pushbutton on the Front Panel or the (Power On) Push-button on the Remote Control.
How to Operate the C52 Remote Control until “L BALANCE R” appears on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 64. L BALANCE || INPUT TRIM 0.0 dB R Figure 64 Note: The Front Panel INPUT Trim and VOLUME Adjust Controls may also be used. 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 ¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦¦ 1.
How to Operate the C52, con’t After approximately 6 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level. After approximately 6 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level. Notes: 1. Meter Illumination of recent McIntosh Power Amplifiers will also switch On/Off when connected to the C52 via a power control cable. 2.
How to Operate the C52, con’t After approximately 6 seconds the Alphanumeric Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level. Mute Press the MUTE Push-button, on the C52 Front Panel or on the Remote Control, to Mute the Audio in all outputs (Main, Output 1, Output 2 and Headphones) except the FIXED OUTPUT. The Front Panel Information Display will indicate the Source Name and the word MUTE in place of the actual volume setting. Refer to figure 80.
How to Operate the C52, con’t Headphones Jack Connect a pair of dynamic headphones to the Headphones Jack with a 1/4” (0.635cm) stereo phone type plug for private listening. The default setting is for all of the Power Amplifier Output Connections (Main, 1, 2, and 3) to automatically mute. When headphones are connected to the C52 Front Panel Jack, an additional TRIM function becomes available.
How to Operate the C52, con’t Optical and Digital Inputs When a Digital Input (Optical or Coxial Connection) on the C52 is selected, the Front Panel Information Display indicates the sampling frequency when a signal is present. Refer to figure 86. During the time there is no Digital Signal present the display will indicate “SILENT”. Refer to figure 87.
3. When the Windows Security window appears check the Always trust software from “Savitech Corp.” box and then the Install button. When the software has been installed, it is necessary to reboot the computer. Refer to figure 96. After rebooting, a McIntosh-HD icon will appear on the desktop. Refer to figure 98. Figure 98 USB Connection Connect the USB Cable with Type A to Type B connectors between the PC Computer and the McIntosh Product with the USB-Digital Audio Input.
How to Operate the C52, con’t 3. When the Media Stream Program on the computer is set to output in the “ASIO” format, the McIntosh -HD USB Audio Control Panel allows for changing the settings parameters on the fly. USB Music Playback When the USB Input is selected on the McIntosh C52, the Front Panel Display indicates the Sampling Rate (refer to figures 105 and 106 for PCM Signals). INPUT: USB 46% Figure 105 44.1kHz INPUT: USB 51% 352.
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Specifications Specifications Frequency Response +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100,000Hz Input Impedance High Level - 22K ohms Unbalanced 44k ohms Balanced 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 0.003% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz 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.
