Owner`s manual

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Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh
standards of excellence in the MA8000 Integrated
Amplifier. The Power Amplifier section of the
MA8000, with a power output of 300 watts per chan-
nel, will drive a pair of quality Loudspeakers to a high
level of performance.
The flexible Preamplifier section provides connec-
tions for various input sources and may also be used to
drive an external Power Amplifier(s).
The MA8000 reproduction is sonically transparent
and absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The
Sound of the Music Itself.”
Introduction
Performance Features
• Power Output with Patented Autoformer
The MA8000 consists of a 300 watts per channel ste-
reo Power Amplifier with less than 0.005% distortion.
The McIntosh designed and manufactured Autoformer
allows connection of 2, 4 or 8 ohm Loudspeakers. The
Power Amplifier uses ThermalTrak
1
Output Transis-
tors for lower distortion and cool operation.
• Power Guard
The patented McIntosh Power Guard circuit prevents
amplifier clipping and protects your valuable Loud-
speakers.
• Sentry Monitor and Thermal Protection
McIntosh Sentry Monitor power output stage protec-
tion circuits ensure the MA8000 will have a long and
trouble free operating life. Built-in Thermal Protection
Circuits guard against overheating.
• Electronic Switching and Balanced Connections
The Preamplifier uses Logic Circuits controlling
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ThermalTrak™ and ON Semiconductor are trademarks of Semi-
conductor Components Industries, LLC
Electromagnetic Switches on all inputs and operating
functions for reliable, noiseless, distortion free switch-
ing. There are Balanced Inputs for connection of a
source components.
• Digital Audio Inputs
The MA8000 has Coaxial, Optical and USB Digi-
tal Inputs to decode PCM Signals from an external
source. The MA8000 Up Samples the Digital Signal
to 192kHz with 32 Bit resolution before the Digital to
Analog process begins.
• Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Inputs
The MA8000 contains two precision Phono Preampli-
fier Circuits. One for low output Moving Coil Phono
Cartridges with selectable resistance loading, the
other is for Moving Magnet Cartridges with selectable
capacitive loading. They use the latest designs for the
lowest possible noise and distortion. The RIAA Cor-
rection Circuitry utilizes close tolerance resistors and
capacitors for an extremely flat frequency response.
• Eight Band Equalizer
The Equalizer Controls provide 12dB of boost or cut
at center frequencies of 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 1,000,
2,500 and 10,000Hz. There is also an Equalizer By-
pass Mode to remove the Equalizer from the Signal
Path of any selected input.
• Multifunction Fluorescent Display
The Front Panel Display indicates source selection,
volume levels and setup functions.
• Illuminated Power Meters
The Illuminated Power Output Watt Meters on the
MA8000 are peak responding, and indicate the power
output of the amplifier.
• PassThru Mode
The Automatic PassThru Mode allows the MA8000
to become part of a Multichannel Sound System for
DVD-Audio, SACD and Home Theater Movies.
• Power Control and Remote Control
The Power Control Output connection provides conve-
nient Turn-On/Off of McIntosh Source Components.
The Data Ports together with the supplied Remote
Control provide control of McIntosh Source Compo-
nents connected to the MA8000.
• Special Power Supply
The large Power Transformer, multiple filter capaci-
tors with 140 Joules of Energy Storage and regulated
Power Supply ensures stable noise free operation even
though the power line varies.
• McIntosh Custom Binding Posts
McIntosh Patented gold plated output terminals deliver
high current output. They accept large diameter wire
and spade lugs. Banana plugs may also be used only in
the United States and Canada.
• Fiber Optic Solid State Front Panel Illumination
The even Illumination of the Front Panel is accom-
plished by the combination of custom designed Fiber
Optic Light Diffusers and extra long life Light Emit-
ting Diodes (LEDs).
• Glass Front Panel and Super Mirror Chassis
Finish
The famous McIntosh Illuminated Glass Front Panel
and the Stainless Steel Chassis with Super Mirror Fin-
ish ensures the pristine beauty of the MA8000 will be
retained for many years.
Introduction and Performance Features