McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York C50 Audio Preamplifier Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS! PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3.
Thank You Customer Service Your decision to own this McIntosh C50 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. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all the features and functions of your new McIntosh.
General Information and Connector Information General Information 1. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the C50 Audio Preamplifier. 2. The Main AC Power going to the C50 and any other McIntosh Component(s) should not be applied until all the system components are connected together. Failure to do so could result in malfunctioning of some or all of the system’s normal operations.
Introduction and Performance Features Introduction The McIntosh C50 Audio Preamplifier is one of the finest Preamplifiers ever created with connections for both analog and digital sources. The C50 Outputs have the ability to drive multiple Power Amplifiers. The C50 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 C50. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C50 into cabinets. Front View of the C50 17-1/2" 44.45cm 7-1/8" 18.10cm 7-5/8" 19.37cm Side View of the C50 16-1/2" 41.91cm 14-1/2" 36.83cm 3/16" 0.48cm Rear View of the C50 6-9/16" 16.67cm 17-1/8" 43.50cm 6-3/8" 16.19cm 13/16" 2.06cm 10-9/16" 26.83cm 1-15/16" 4.92cm 13 -1/4" 33.66cm 6 2" 5.
Installation Installation The C50 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 C50 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 C50 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
Rear Panel Connections Rear Panel Connections The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the C50 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.
Connecting Components Connecting Components The C50 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 C50 Remote Control. With an external sensor connected to the C50, remote control operation of the system is possible from another room and/or when the C50 is located in a cabinet with the doors closed.
Remote Control Push-Buttons LED illuminates during the time a remote command is sent to the C50 Switches the Trigger 1 and/or 2 Power Control Jack(s) On/Off, refer to “Setup, Power Control TRIG 1 and TRIG 2” on page 15 for additional information Selects a Disc Player, Music Server or Recorder Function. Seek Stations Up or Down the AM/FM Dial.
How to use the Remote Control How to use the Remote Control The supplied HR072 Remote Control is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary Source Components connected to the C50 via the Data Ports. Tuner Push-buttons Press the AM or FM Push-button to select the desired broadcast band. Press and release the Channel Up p or Down q Push-button to seek the next available station. Press and hold a Channel Up p or Down q Push-button to seek continuously from station to station.
Front Panel Displays, Controls, Push-buttons and Jack Meter indicates the Left Channel Output of the Preamplifier Meter indicates the Right Channel Output of the Preamplifier IR Sensor receives commands from a Remote Control INPUT Control allows the selection of various sources for listening and recording EQUALIZER Controls increase or decrease the volume levels at the Center Frequencies of 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,500Hz and 10,000Hz Connection for low impedance dynamic headphones, f
Setup How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh C50 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 C50 Front Panel Illustration on the previous page while performing the following steps.
Reassign Source Inputs, con’t 1. Press and hold the EQ BYPASS/SETUP Pushbutton until the Setup Mode is active. Then press the OUTPUT 2 / MENU ► Push-button to select the Setup Menu item “SETUP: SOURCE INPUT, TUNER :RCA”. Refer to figure 4. SETUP: SOURCE INPUT TUNER : RCA Figure 4 2. Rotate the INPUT Control until “CD2 : RCA” appears on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 5. SETUP: SOURCE INPUT CD2 : RCA Figure 5 3.
Setup, con’t 3. Rotate the INPUT Control until “LEVEL: SRVR 0.0dB” appears on the Front Panel Information Display. If necessary, rotate the VOLUME/ADJUST Control to obtain the same volume level as the CD Input by switching between the two Inputs using the INPUT Control. 4. Rotate the INPUT Control until “LEVEL: SRVR _._” appears on the Front Panel Information Display. The illustration in figure 10 indicates a LEVEL: SRVR Min ¦¦¦¦ Figure 10 -2.5dB Max -2.
Passthru, con’t Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 2. Rotate the VOLUME/ADJUST Control until “SETUP: PASSTHRU, Source: BALANCED 2” appears on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display. Refer to figure 14. SETUP: PASSTHRU Source: BALANCED 2 Figure 14 3. Press the EQ BYPASS/SETUP Push-button to exit the Setup Mode. By default the Power Control TRIGger 1 and TRIGger 2 Outputs function the same as the MAIN Power Control Jack, switching On/Off with the C50.
Setup, con’t Comm Port Baud Rate Remote Control Codes The C50 may be remotely controlled from other equipment connected to the Rear Panel RS232C connector. The speed at which the C50 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 the EQ BYPASS/SETUP Pushbutton until the Setup Mode is active.
How to Operate the C50 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the C50 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the C50, press the STANDBY/ON Pushbutton on the Front Panel or the (Power On) Push-button on the Remote Control.
How to Operate the C50 on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 54. Note: The Front Panel TRIM Push-button together with the OUTPUT 1/ OUTPUT 2 / ◄ MENU ► Push-buttons may also be used. BALANCE: || 0 dB Figure 54 2. Rotate the VOLUME/ADJUST Control or press the LEVEL + / - Push-buttons on the Remote Control to emphasize the Right Channel (refer to figure 55) or the Left Channel (refer to figure 56).
How to Operate the C50, con’t EQUALIZER MODE The built-in eight band Frequency Equalizer provides more precise adjustment of sound than Bass and Treble Controls. By default the Equalizer is active for all Input Sources however, any Input Source may be assigned to bypass the Equalizer. To bypass the Equalizer for a given Input Source, perform the following steps: Note: The audio signal present at the RECORD OUT Jacks is unaffected by the Equalizer settings. 1. Select the desired Input Source. 2.
How to Operate the C50, con’t After approximately 4 seconds the Information Display will return to indicate the Source Selection, Volume Level and now with the addition of Digital Information. Refer to figure 69. SOURCE: DVD 15% 2CH PCM Figure 69 PHONO ADJUSTMENTS When the Phono MC or Phono MM Input is selected an additional TRIM SELECT FUNCTION becomes available for adjustment. Perform the following steps to make the Phono Trim Adjustments: 1. Select either the Phono MM or Phono MC Source Input. 2.
How to Operate the C50, con’t Output Meters The C50’s Output Meters indicate the Output Level in Decibels (dB) available at the MAIN and OUTPUT 1 & 2 Jacks to drive Power Amplifiers. Refer to figure 73.
How to Operate the C50, con’t Passthru When the C50 is connected together with a McIntosh Multichannel A/V Control Center or Surround Decoder and has the PASSTHRU MODE activated, it will automatically turn-on when the A/V Control Center or Surround Decoder is turned On. It will indicate on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display “PASSTHRU”. Refer to figure 74.
How to Operate the C50, con’t cates “FACTORY RESET” (refer to figure 78), then release the two push-buttons. Several seconds later the Front Panel Display will indicate “FACTORY RESET, -COMPLETE-” and the C50 will FACTORY RESET -COMPLETEFigure 79 switch Off. Refer to figure 79. 2. Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button and the C50 will resume operation.
How to Operate the C50, con’t and Photos 25
Specifications Specifications Frequency Response +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100,000Hz Input Impedance High Level, 22K ohms unbalanced, 44k ohms balanced Phono MM, 47K ohms; 50 to 750pF, in 50pF steps Phono MC, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1,000 ohms; 100pF Total Harmonic Distortion 0.002% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz Rated Output (Main) 2.
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.