McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York C8 Tube Preamplifier Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
The C8 Tube Preamplifier marries McIntosh’s long tradition of uncompromising quality and leadership in Vacuum Tube amplification with the latest cutting edge innovations to bring you an unsurpassed luxury sonic experience. Thank you from all of us at McIntosh With the C8 Tube Preamplifier, you have invested in a precision instrument that will provide you with many years of enjoyment.
Table of Contents Thank you from all of us at McIntosh ������������������������ 2 Make a Note ���������������������������������������������������������������� 2 Safety First ������������������������������������������������������������������ 2 Remove the Foam ������������������������������������������������������� 4 Where to put it ������������������������������������������������������������ 6 The Front Panel ����������������������������������������������������������� 7 The Left Knob ������������������������
Remove the Foam Caution: To prevent damage to the C8 Tubes 2. Remove the Warning Sheet and save it with the Shipping Carton for possible future use. Refer to Figures A and B. 3. Carefully lift upright the Foam Insert Vacuum Tube Cover and place it near to the C8 Preamplifier. Refer to Figure C. during shipping, there is a special foam insert surrounding the Tubes of the Preamplifier. The Foam Insert must be removed from the C8 before connecting the AC Power Supply Cord to the Preamplifier.
WARNING: The supplied Vacuum Tube Shield Covers must be installed over each of the four Small Vacuum Tubes before the C8 Preamplifier is connected to AC Power and activated for use!! 5. The C8 Preamplifier has four Small Vacuum Tubes that are inserted into special Vacuum Tube Sockets on the Stainless Steel Chassis. Refer to Figure E. Each of the Tube Sockets have four pin openings to accept the Vacuum Tube Shield Covers. Refer to Figure F.
Where to put it as a high-powered amplifier. If all the components are installed in a single cabinet, a quiet running ventilation fan can be a definite asset in maintaining all the system components at the coolest possible operating temperature. The C8 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. Always provide adequate ventilation for your C8.
The Front Panel • The C8’s glass and metal Front Panel provides two control knobs and an informational display (VFD). The Left Knob The Left Knob, labeled INPUT, is used to change inputs, enter Trim setting mode and to enter Setup mode.
Figure 04– C8 Rear View Connections on the Back One DA2 expansion slot (X) One Ground Connector (Z) The Inputs One stereo pair of Moving Coil Phono inputs (A) One stereo pair of Moving Magnet Phono inputs (B) Two pair of stereo Unbalanced inputs- RCA Jacks (C) (D) One Stereo pair of Balanced inputs (E) One 1/8-inch jack for RS232 connector (K) One 1/8-inch jack for wired IR Input (L) One 1/8-inch PASSTHRU jack (N) One AC power connector (I) One USB upgrade service port (Y) 8 Making Connections Phono/Unb
as well as a pair of RCA connectors. Both outputs can be used simultaneously if desired as in the case of bi-amping. To use the XLR output, connect the BAL R to the right input of your amplifier and BAL L to the amplifier’s left input. Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input and Output Connectors on the C8. Refer to the diagrams for connections: Figure 05– RCA/Phono Plugs The C8 can accept the analog input from a wide variety on components such as CD players, tuners, and turntables.
Connection Diagram There are many possible connections for the C8 depending on your system. This diagram shows a few typical ones. Connect to a Data Port In on a source Connect to a Power Control (Trigger) Input IR Sensor Connect to Subwoofer or second amplifier. Can be set to stereo or mono Connect to AC Outlet Connect a Moving Magnet Turntable to MM. Connect a Moving Coil to MC.
• • Turn the Right Knob clockwise for Enabled (on) or counterclockwise (off) Press and release the Left Knob to exit the Setup menu DA2 Expansion Slot The C8 has an expansion slot to allow for the installation of the DA2 Digital Audio Module.
There are two DATA PORTS labeled 1 and 2. To connect a McIntosh unit to a Data Port, use a 3.5mm stereo mini phone plug cable, see Figure 11. Data Signal N/C Data Ground Figure 11– 3.5mm Data plug Headphones The C8 features High Drive Headphone Amplification. The output of the High Drive Headphone Amplification provides plenty of power with the flexibility to utilize a wide range of headphones types including high impedance headphones.
Output 2 Setup Settings Outputs 1 and 2 can be toggled On and Off through the Trim settings. Output 2 is also called a SUB out and may be connected to a Subwoofer. Output 2 is full range and stereo and can be attached to another amplifier perhaps in another zone (room). Using this Trim Function is an easy way to toggle this zone On and Off. To enter the C8’s Setup menu, press and hold the Left Knob for 2 seconds. The VFD (display) will change. Rotate the Left Knob to scroll through the available screens.
• power command from that Trigger when that Input is selected on the C8. Multiple Inputs can be set as Triggers Press the Left Knob to exit the menu. Changes will be saved Data Port Setup Data Port connections allow the Remote Control commands sent to the C8 to be sent to components attached via the Data Ports. Data Port Setup defines when to send that data based on the selected Input. The default is “All Data” which will send data to connected components whenever data is received.
Auto-Off Setup When Enabled, the Auto-Off feature automatically powers off the C8. 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.
Remote Control Buttons Mutes and unmutes the audio LED illuminates during the time a remote command is sent to the C8 Powers the C8 ON or OFF Decreases the volume level Increases the volume level Directional Push-buttons - Up, Down, Left and Right Select the desired active TRIM function; also manually tune up the dial with contemporary McIntosh Tuners Adjusts the active TRIM Function Adjusts the active TRIM Function Select the desired active TRIM function; also manually tune down the dial with con
The supplied Remote Control performs the various Operating Functions for the C8 Preamplifier. Input Source Selection Press the Push-button → to select the desired program source. Volume Press the + or - Push-buttons to increase or decrease the listening level. Mute Press the (Mute) Push-button to mute the audio and a second time to resume listening. • Hold the remote upsidedown and backwards with McIntosh name upsidedown and facing away from you.
Packing the C8 When shipping the C8, it is highly recommended that the unit be packed as it was originally shipped to avoid damage. Failure to properly pack the unit will likely result in damage. (The front panel is made of glass!) If you need any of the packing material, you can contact McIntosh Customer Service. Use only packing material that is in good condition and replace any material that has seen better days.
Specifications Frequency Response +0, ±0.5dB from 20Hz-20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 15Hz-100,000Hz Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08% maximum from 20Hz to 20,000Hz at rated Output Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) High Level: 95dB (below rated Output) Phono MM: 80dB (below 5mV input) Phono MC: 75dB (below 0.5mV input) Maximum Output Voltage 8V RMS Unbalanced 16V RMS Balanced Rated Outputt 6V Unbalanced 12V Balanced Output Impedance 2.
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.
