McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York C53 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 C53 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, Trademark and License Information, and Connector Information General Information 1. Refer to pages 7-8 for component(s) connection to the C53 Preamplifier. 2. Do not apply AC Power to the C53 and other Component(s) until they are connected to the C53 so operational malfunctioning does not occur. 3. Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs can be mixed. For example, you may connect signal sources to Unbalanced Inputs and send signals from the Balanced Outputs.
Introduction and Performance Features Introduction The McIntosh C53 Audio Preamplifier is one of the finest Preamplifiers ever created with connections for both analog and digital sources. The C53 Outputs have the ability to drive multiple Power Amplifiers. The C53 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 C53. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C53 into cabinets. Front View of the C53 17-1/2" 44.5cm 7-1/8" 18.1cm USB 7-5/8" 19.4cm Side View of the C53 16-1/2" 35% DSD256 41.9cm 14-1/2" 36.8cm 6-9/16" 16.7cm 3/16" 0.5cm Rear View of the C53 17-1/8" 43.5cm 6-3/8" 16.2cm 13/16" 2.1cm 10-9/16" 26.8cm 2" 5.1cm 1-15/16" 4.9cm 13 -1/4" 33.
Installation Installation The C53 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 C53 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 C53 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
Rear Panel Connections Connecting Components The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the C53 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 C53 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 C53 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 C53 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 C53 Remote Control (HR085) is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary McIntosh Source Components connected to the C53 via the Data Ports. Notes: 1. If at any time the C53 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 C53 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 C53 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/Name (Hold INPUT)” 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.
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.
SETUP: HEADPHONES Mute No Outputs Figure 27 8. Exit the SETUP Mode by several presses of the INPUT Control. Power Control Triggers The C53 has four Power Control Triggers Connections. When the C53 Is On, the Triggers are either activated or deactivated. Trigger 1, 2, 3 and 4 settings can be set for a variety of selected Inputs and different Internal Operation Functions. These settings will control the Operational Power to the components connected to the various C53 Trigger Output Connectors.
Setup, con’t Data Ports Passthru HDMI (ARC) and (CEC) Data Ports Connections between the C53 and a McIntosh Source Component allow for basic function control of the source component using the C53 supplied HR085 Remote Control. By default, all of the four Data Ports are set to send the same Data to the selected source. To dedicate a given Data Port for only one source component (example, source component connected to the BAL 1 Input will be assigned to Data Port 1) perform the following Steps: 1.
Lip Sync Mode (ARC) Digital Gain The C53 HDMI Input Connector (ARC) Audio Return Channel Circuitry, also has another control function. When listening and viewing a TV/Monitor HDMI Input Signal, the ARC circuitry provides a synchronized Video and Audio TV/Monitor Signal. To switch Off the AUTO Synchronised Video and Audio TV/Monitor Signal, perform the following steps: 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to change the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2 on page 13. 2.
Setup, con’t Comm Port Baud Rate Remote Control Codes IR Sensor The C53 may be remotely controlled from other equipment connected to the Rear Panel RS232 Jack. The speed at which the C53 communicates (8 bit, no parity and 1 stop bit) with other equipment is adjustable from 9,600 bits per second to 115,200 bits per second. To change from the default speed of 115,200 bits per second, perform the following steps: 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2 on page 13.
Setup, con’t Power Mode Factory Reset The C53 incorporates an Auto Off Feature, which automatically places the Preamplifier into the Power Saving Standby/Off Mode. This occurs approximately 30 minutes after there has been an absence of user activity (includes changes to any of the Operation Functions such as source selection, volume adjustment, etc.) or absence of an audio signal. If it is desirable to disable the Auto Off Feature perform the following steps: 1.
How to Operate the C53 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the C53 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the C53, press the STANDBY/ON Pushbutton on the Front Panel or the (Power - Green) Push-button on the Remote Control. The C53 will go through a brief startup initialization with the Front Panel Information Display indicating the last used source and volume setting.
How to Operate the C53 trol until “L BALANCE R” appears on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 64. Note: The Front Panel INPUT Trim and VOLUME Adjust Controls may also be used. L BALANCE R ¦¦¦¦ ¦¦¦ Figure 65 L BALANCE ¦ ¦¦¦¦ ¦¦¦ R Figure 66 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). The Front Panel Display indicates the Balance changes are from 0 to 50 dB.
How to Operate the C53, con’t type of steps by using the Front Panel Controls or the Remote Control Pushbuttons as done for EQUALIZER Settings: Note: The audio signal present at the FIXED OUT Jacks is affected by the Stereo/Mono setting. 1. Select the desired Input Source. ______” as 2. Select “MONO / STEREO, indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 74. MONO / STEREO ______ Figure 74 Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level.
How to Operate the C53, con’t mation Display will indicate the Source Name and the word MUTE in place of the actual volume setting. BAL 1 Fundamental Frequencies of Acoustical Musical Instruments and the Human Voice SOPRANO CONTRALTO MUTE TENOR SINGING VOICE BARITONE BASS Figure 80 Refer to figure 80. Pressing the Mute Push-button a second time or adjusting the Volume Control (either the Front Panel or Remote Control) will unmute the C53.
How to Operate the C53, con’t the C53. To stop the Audio and Power Control Signals from going to the separate Power Amplifiers, press the same Push-button(s) a second time. Trim Momentarily press the Front Panel INPUT Control to activate the C53 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 22. The Remote Control TRIM and LEVEL UP / DOWN Push-buttons may also be used.
How to Operate the C53, 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. Refer to figure 92. Under “PRODUCT CATEGORY” select “Preamplifiers” then under “MODEL NUMBER” select Figure 92 “C53”. Click on “SEARCH” then select McIntosh-HD USB Audio Windows Drive D v1.0 and download the PC Windows Driver.
How to Operate the C53, 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 98 101. USB Figure 104 USB 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 Equalizer Controls 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,500Hz and 10,000Hz Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz Voltage Gain High Level to Fixed Output: 0dB High Level to Main Output: 15dB Phono MM to Record Output: 40dB Phono MC to Record Output: 60dB Rated Output 2.
Specifications, con’t Specifications, con’t Power Control and Trigger Output 12VDC, 25mA Power Requirements Field AC Voltage conversion of the C53 is not possible. The C53 is factory configured for one of the following AC Voltages: 100 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts 110 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts 120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts 220 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts 230 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts 240 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts Standby Power, less than 0.
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.
