Power Amplifier MC501 Owner’s Manual McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
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 Table of Contents Your decision to own this McIntosh MC501 Power 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. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all the features and functions of your new McIntosh. Safety Instructions .............................
Connector Information XLR Connectors Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input and Output Connectors on the MC501. Refer to the diagram for connection: PIN 1: Shield/Ground Pin 1 Pin 2 PIN 2: + Input Pin 3 PIN 3: - Input Power Control and Trigger Connectors The MC501’s Power Control Outputs provide a 5 volt signal. Use a 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug to connect to the Positive Power Control Input on other N/C McIntosh Components.
Connector Information, Introduction, Performance Features and Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MC501. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MC501 into cabinets. 17-1/2" 44.45cm 8-13/16" 22.38cm Front View of the MC501 9-7/16" 23.97cm 16-13/16" 42.70cm Rear View of the MC501 13-1/4" 33.66cm 14-1/2" 36.83cm 13-5/8" 34.61cm Side View of the MC501 8-1/8" 20.64cm 8-3/16" 21.11cm 7/8" 2.
Installation Installation Caution: The MC501 Amplifier weight is 91.5 pounds (41.5 kilograms). It requires two or more persons to safely handle when moving the amplifier. (40.64 cm) depth behind the front panel. Allow 1-3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in front of the mounting panel for knob clearance. Be sure to cut out a ventilation hole in the mounting shelf according to the dimensions in the drawing. The MC501 can be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its four feet.
Top Panel Connections and Switch Main Fuse holder, refer to information on the back panel of the MC501 to determine the correct fuse size and rating Connect the MC501 power cord to a live AC outlet. Refer to information on the back panel to determine the correct voltage POWER CONTROL IN receives a turn On/Off Trigger from a McIntosh component.
How to Connect Caution: The supplied AC Power Cord should not be connected to the Rear Panel of the MC501 Amplifier until after the Loudspeaker Connections have been made and the supplied protective Terminal Connections Cover has been installed. Failure to observe this could result in Electric Shock. 1. For Remote Power Control, connect a power control cable from the Control Center or Preamplifier Power Control Out to the MC501 Power Control In. 2.
How to Connect McIntosh MX134 A/V Control Center MC501 Top Rear View To AC Outlet 4 ohm Loudspeaker Caution: The Loudspeaker Negative Connections are above chassis ground. Do not combine any connections together, ground them or connect with another MC501.
Front Panel Displays and Controls METER indicates the Power Output of the amplifier POWER GUARD LED lights when the amplifier POWER GUARD circuit activates Remote On Indicator lights when the amplifier is in the Remote TurnOn Mode METER Switch selects the display modes of the Power Output Meter 10 POWER Switch Turns AC power On/Off, or On/Remote
How to Operate How to Operate Power On To have the MC501 automatically turn On or Off when a control center turns on or off, rotate the power switch to the remote position. For manual operation, rotate the power switch to the On or Off position as desired. Refer to figure 10. Note: There must be a power control connection between the MC501 and Figure 10 the McIntosh Control Center, in order for the remote power turn-on to function.
Technical Description McIntosh Laboratory, the company who introduced the world’s first amplifier that could be called “High Fidelity”, has done it again. The McIntosh engineering staff has created a power amplifier without compromise, using the most advanced McIntosh circuit design concepts.
Technical Description Design Philosophy The design philosophy incorporated in the MC501 involved several different techniques, all based on sound scientific logic. Every stage of voltage or current amplification must be as linear as possible prior to the use of negative feedback. McIntosh engineers know how to properly design negative feedback circuits so they contribute to the extremely low distortion performance expected from a McIntosh amplifier.
The special Balanced Winding Autoformer creates an ideal match between the power amplifier output stage and the loudspeaker. A McIntosh amplifier with an Autoformer can be used to safely drive multiple speakers without reducing the life expectancy of the power amplifier. Refer to figure 15. Figure 16 Figure 15 There is absolutely no performance limitation with an Autoformer. Its frequency response exceeds that of the output circuit itself, and extends well beyond the audible range.
Technical Description, con’t Without Power Guard able, since it can damage valuable loudspeaker system tweeters. You will never experience the harsh and damaging distortion due to clipping. The Power Guard circuit is a waveform comparator, monitoring both the input and output waveforms. Under normal operating conditions, there are no differences Figure 19 between the shape of these waveforms. If an amplifier channel is overdriven, there will be a difference between the two signal waveforms.
Notes 17
Specifications Specifications Power Output Minimum sine wave continuous average power output is: 500 watts into 2 ohm load 500 watts into 4 ohm load 500 watts into 8 ohm load Rated Power Band 20Hz to 20,000Hz Total Harmonic Distortion Maximum Total Harmonic Distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power output is: 0.005% for 2, 4 or 8 ohm load Dynamic Headroom 1.8dB Frequency Response +0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz Sensitivity 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. Three #10 x 2-1/2 inch screws and washers must be used to fasten the unit securely to the bottom pad and shipping 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 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.
