Owner's Manual

ManualsBrandsMcIntosh ManualsPreamplifiersMcIntosh Black 2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier

3. Set the EQUALIZER On for the desired Input by

using the Front Panel Volume Control or the Re-

mote Control Push-buttons. Refer to figure 71.

After approximately 5 seconds the Information

Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and

Volume Level.

PHONO ADJUSTMENTS

First select the Phono MC or Phono MM Input for the

type of Phono Cartridge installed on the Turntable

currently used. Then press and rotate the INPUT Con-

trol to display the active type of load setting for the

Phono Cartridge Selected. Refer to figures 72 (Mov-

ing Coil Cartridge) or 73 (Moving Magnet Cartridge).

Then rotate the VOLUME Control to adjust the Phono

Cartridge load value. After approximately 6 seconds,

the Alphanumeric Display returns to indicate the

Source Selection and Volume Level.

MONO/STEREO MODE

By default, the Stereo Mode is active for all Input

Sources however, any Input Source may be assigned to

the Mono Mode of operation. To change Stereo Mode

to Mono for a given Input Source, perform the same

1. Select “INPUT TRIM, 0.0 dB” as indicated on the

Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figures

60, 63 and 67.

2. Adjust the Trim Level of each Input to match the

average volume level of the Input most frequently

listened to. The range of adjustment is ± 6.0 dB in

half dB steps. Refer to figures 68 and 69.

After approximately 6 seconds the Information

Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and

Volume Level.

EQUALIZER MODE

The built-in eight band Frequency Equalizer provides

more precise adjustment of sound than standard Bass

and Treble Controls. By default, the Equalizer is Off

for all Input Sources and the Equalizer Circuitry is by-

passed. Any Input Source may be assigned to have the

Equalizer On when selected. To activate the Equalizer

for a given Input Source, perform the following steps:

Note: The audio signal present at the FIXED OUT

Jacks is unaffected by the Equalizer settings.

1. Select the desired Input Source.

2. Select “EQUALIZER, Off” as indicated on

the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to

figure 70.

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.

2. Press the LEVEL UP / DOWN Push-buttons on

the Remote Control to emphasize the Right Chan-

nel (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. After approximately 4 seconds

the Information Display returns to indicate the Source

Selection and Volume Level. To verify the Balance

setting without changing it, use the TRIM Push-button

and select Balance.

TRIM LEVEL

Source Components can have slightly different volume

levels resulting in the need to readjust the C53 Volume

Control when switching between different sources.

The C53 allows the adjustment of levels for each of the

Source Inputs for the same relative volume. To adjust

the Trim Level for the currently selected Input Source

perform the following steps:

How to Operate the C53

Figure 65

L BALANCE R

Figure 67

INPUT TRIM

0.0 dB

Figure 68

INPUT TRIM

-2.5 dB

Figure 66

L BALANCE R

Figure 69

INPUT TRIM

+4.0 dB

Figure 70

EQUALIZER

Off

Figure 71

EQUALIZER

Figure 72

PHONO RESISTANCE

100O

Figure 73

PHONO CAPACITANCE

50 pF