McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York MA9000 Integrated Amplifier 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 MA9000 Integrated Amplifier 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, Connector and Cable Information General Information 1. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MA9000. 2. Apply AC Power to the MA9000 and other McIntosh Components only after all the system components are connected together. Failure to do so may cause a malfunction of system operations as the Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside the components is active when AC Power is applied. 3.
Introduction and Performance Features Introduction Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh standards of excellence in the MA9000 Integrated Amplifier. The Power Amplifier section of the MA9000, with a power output of 300 watts per channel, will drive a pair of quality Loudspeakers to a high level of performance. The flexible Preamplifier section provides connections for various input sources and may also be used to drive an external Power Amplifier(s).
Dimensions Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MA9000. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MA9000 into cabinets. Front View of the MA9000 17-1/2" 44.5cm 8-13/16" 22.4cm Side View of the MA9000 9-7/16" 24.0cm USB DSD256 19-3/4" 2-1/4" 30% 5.7cm 50.2cm 16-7/16" 41.8cm 8-1/4" 21.0cm 3/16" 0.5cm Rear View of the MA9000 16-13/16" 42.7cm 7/8" 2.2cm 12-3/4" 32.4cm 1-1/4" 3.2cm 7-15/16" 7.
Installation Installation The MA9000 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 MA9000 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 MA9000 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
MA9000 Rear Panel Connections Rear Panel Connections The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the MA9000 Integrated Amplifier is located on a separate folded sheet contained in the Owner’s Manual Packet. Refer to separate sheet “Mc1A” for the Rear Panel Connections.
Connecting Components Connecting Components The MA9000 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to McIntosh Source Components via the Power Control (Trigger) connections. The Data Port Connections allow for the remote operation of basic functions using the MA9000 Remote Control. With an external sensor connected to the MA9000, remote control operation of the system is possible from another room and/or when the MA9000 is located in a cabinet with the doors closed.
Passthru Connections Passthru Connections The MA9000 can be part of a Multichannel Sound System for BLU-RAY Audio, DVD Audio and Home Theater Movies. The Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/Video Control Center can “Passthru” the MA9000. In the following example the UNBALANCED 6 Input will become the “Passthru” input: 1. Connect Audio Cables from the A/V Processor FL (Front Left) and FR (Front Right) Channel Outputs to the MA9000 UNBALANCED Number 6 INPUTS Left and Right Jacks. 2.
Connecting for Bi-Amplification Connecting for Bi-Amplification The MA9000 Power Amplifier Circuitry, together with an additional separate Power Amplifier, may be used to Bi-Amplify a Loudspeaker System. In the illustration on this page, the Power Amplifier of the MA9000 is connected to the Midrange/High Frequency Section of the Loudspeaker. The additional separate Power Amplifier is connected to the Low Frequency Section of the Loudspeaker System.
Output Terminals When connecting the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables to the MA9000 Amplifier Output Terminals please follow the steps below: 1. Rotate the top of the Output Terminal Post counterclockwise until an opening appears. Refer to figures A and B. Opening 2. Insert the Loudspeaker Figure B Figure A hookup cable into the Output Terminal Post opening or the cable spade lug around the center post of the Output Terminal. Refer to figure C. 3.
Connecting Loudspeakers 5. Connect the MA9000 power cord to an active AC outlet. Spade Lug or Wire Connections: 6. Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables to the MA9000 Negative Output Terminal and Positive Output Terminal indentified as 2Ω (ohms), 4Ω (ohms) or 8Ω (ohms) connection to match the impedance of the Loudspeaker, being careful to observe the correct polarities.
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 MA9000 Remote Control (HR085) is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary McIntosh Source Components connected to the MA9000 via the Data Ports. Notes: 1. If at any time the MA9000 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 MA9000 has been factory configured to 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 MA9000 Front Panel Illustration on the previous page while performing the following steps. Note: If the MA9000 is currently On, proceed to step 2. 1.
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 17. 3. Press and hold in the INPUT Control until “SETUP: UNBAL 4, On / Name (Hold INPUT)” appears on the Display. If necessary rotate the INPUT Control to select the UNBAL 4 Input. Refer to figure 5. SETUP: UNBAL 4 On/Name (Hold INPUT) Figure 5 4. To switch the UNBAL 4 Input Off, rotate the VOLUME Control until the display indicates “SETUP: UNBAL 4, Off”.
Setup, con’t Output Settings 19. Rotate the INPUT Control until the “_” empty space to the right of character I is flashing, then rotate the VOLUME (ADJUST) Control to change the “_” empty space to character to “A”. Refer to figure 14. RENAME: BAL >MEDIA < Figure 14 20. Repeat step 19 until the new name of “ RENAME: BAL, MEDIA SVR” is indicated on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figures 15 thru 17.
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. Triggers 1 and 2 can be reassigned to function the same as the MAIN Power Control Jack or be assigned to a given Input. Note: The MAIN Power Control Jack is controlled by the STANDBY/ON Front Panel Push-button and the Remote Control Power Push-buttons. In the first example, the Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 will be assigned to MAIN: 1.
Setup, con’t Passthru USB Automute Comm Port Baud Rate When the MA9000 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” from the assigned MA9000 Input, into the MA9000 Power Amplifier Circurity. The “Passthru” Audio Signal is also available for a separate external Power Amplifier(s) via the number 1 Preamplifier Output Jacks.
Setup, con’t Remote Control Codes IR Sensor Power Mode The HR085 Remote Control included with the MA9000 utilizes the NORMAL McIntosh Control Codes. The second set of Control Codes the MA9000 will respond to is referred to as the ALTERNATE Codes. The Alternate Codes are used when the MA9000 is used in the same location as another McIntosh Preamplifier and/or A/V Processor. This will prevent the Remote Control from affecting the operation of both units at the same time.
Reset of the Microprocesors Factory Reset Reset of the Microprocesors If it becomes desirable to reset all the adjustable settings (Setup and Trim Settings) to the factory default values, perform the following steps: 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2 on page 17. 2. Rotate the INPUT Control until “FACTORY RESET, (Hold INPUT)” appears on the Information Display. Refer to figure 47.
How to Operate the MA9000 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the MA9000 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the MA9000, Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button on the Front Panel or press the (Power - Green) Push-button on the Remote Control. The MA9000 will go through a brief startup initialization with the Front Panel Display indicating Power Guard is active, last used source and volume setting.
How to Operate the MA9000 BALANCE Listening balance varies with different program sources, room acoustics and listening positions relative to the Loudspeakers. Use the Balance (Trim Function) as needed to achieve approximately equal listening volume levels in each Loudspeaker. To adjust the Balance perform the following: 1. Press the TRIM Push-button repeatedly on the Remote Control until “L BALANCE R, || ” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 54.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t 3. Rotate the VOLUME/Adjust Control or press the LEVEL UP / DOWN Push-buttons on the Remote Control to select the Resistance Load that comes closest to the Phono Cartridge Makers recommended value. 4. Temporarily exit TRIM Mode. 5. Select the MM Phono Input. 6. Select TRIM “PHONO CAPACITANCE, 50pF” as indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 62B. PHONO CAPACITANCE 50pF Figure 62B 7.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t INFORMATION DISPLAY ILLUMINATION The Brightness Level of the MA9000 Front Panel Information Display can be adjusted from bright to dim by performing the following: 1. Select “DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS” as indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figures 50, 53 (on page 24) and 67. DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS Figure 67 2. Reduce the Brightness level by adjusting the TRIM LEVEL. Refer to figure 68.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t The meters respond to all the musical information being produced by the Amplifier. They indicate to an accuracy of at least 95% of the power output with only a single cycle of a 2,000Hz tone burst. Power Guard During normal operation, the Front Panel Power Guard Indicators will momentarily illuminate during peaks in the audio signals.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t the Remote Control, the BLUE (Setup) Push-button followed by pressing the OUTPUT 2 Push-button to switch On or Off the external Power Amplifier.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs When a Digital Input (Optical or Coaxial Connection) on the MA9000 is selected, the Front Panel Display will indicate the sample rate when a signal is present “48kHz”. Refer to figure 76. COAX 1 48kHz 30% Figure 76 During the time there is no Digital Signal present on the selected input the display will indicate “______”. Refer to figure 77.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t Figure 94 Figure 96 Figure 95 Figure 97 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.
How to Operate the MA9000, con’t How to Operate the MA9000, con’t USB Music Playback When the USB Input is selected on the McIntosh USB 44.1kHz 46% Figure 105 USB 352.8kHz 51% Figure 106 MA9000, the Front Panel Display indicates the Sampling Rate (refer to figures 105 and 106 for PCM Signals). USB DSD128 46% Figure 107 USB DSD256 51% Figure 108 Figures 107 and 108 indicate a Sampling Rate of 128 or 256 times the Sampling Rate of a CD Disc for the incoming DSD Digital Audio Signal.
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Preamplifier Specifications Maximum Input Signal High Level, 8V unbalanced, 16V balanced Phono MM, 80mV Phono MC, 8mV Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005% maximum 20Hz to 20,000Hz Intermodulation Distortion 0.005% maximum for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20,000Hz Headphone Impedance 100 to 600 ohms Frequency Response +0, -0.
MA9000 Preamplifier, Digital Audio and Power Amplifier Specifications Digital Audio Specifications Power Amplifier Specifications Digital Input Signal Format Coaxial and Optical Inputs - SPDIF (PCM) MCT and USB Inputs - PCM, DSD Power Output Minimum sine wave continuous average power output per channel, with both channels operating is: 300 watts into 2 ohm load 300 watts into 4 ohm load 300 watts into 8 ohm load Digital Input Sample Rate Coaxial and Optical: 44.1kHz to 192kHz, 24-Bit MCT: 44.
MA9000 General Specifications General Specifications Power Control and Trigger Output 12VDC, 25mA Power Requirements Field AC Voltage conversion of the MA9000 is not possible. The MA9000 is factory configured for one of the following AC Voltages: 100 Volts, 50/60Hz at 8.0 amps 110 Volts, 50/60Hz at 6.6 amps 120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 6.6 amps 127 Volts, 50/60Hz at 6.6 Amps 220 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.6 amps 230 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.3 amps 240 Volts, 50/60Hz at 3.3 amps Standby: 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. Two 1/4-20 x 2-1/4 inch screws and washers must be used to fasten the unit securely to the bottom pad and wood skid. This will ensure the proper equipment location on the bottom pad. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage.
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.
