McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York MXA70 Integrated Audio System Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
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Thank You Customer Service Your decision to own this McIntosh MXA70 Integrated Audio System ranks you at the very top among discriminating music listeners. You now have the best. The McIntosh dedication to precision performance assures many years of musical enjoyment. 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, Connector and Cable Information Connector and Cable Information General Information 1. For additional connection information, refer to the RZQHU¶V PDQXDO V IRU DQ\ FRPSRQHQW V FRQQHFWHG to the MXA70. 2. Apply AC Power to the MXA70 and other McInWRVK &RPSRQHQW V RQO\ DIWHU DOO WKH V\VWHP FRPSRnents 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 phone Jack for private listening. Loudspeaker Listening is automatically switched Off when Headphones are connected. 3RZHU &RQWURO DQG 5HPRWH &RQWURO The Power Control Output connection provides convenient Turn-On/Off of McIntosh Source Components. 6XSHULRU 3URWHFWLRQ The patented McIntosh Power Guard circuit prevents amplifier clipping and protects your valuable Headphones and Loudspeakers.
Dimensions Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MXA70 System. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MXA70 System into cabinets. Side Views of the MXA70 Center Section Front View of the MXA70 23-1/4" 59.05cm 10-7/8" 27.6cm 5-9/16" 14.1cm 5" 11-1/2" 12.7cm 29.2cm 14-5/8" 37.1cm Side Views of the MXA70 Loudspeaker Rear View of the MXA70 10-3/4" 27.7cm 10-3/4" 27.3cm 5-3/8" 13.7cm 10-13/16" 27.
Installation Installation The MXA70 Integrated Audio System is designed to be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its feet. The required ventilation requirements are shown. Always provide adequate ventilation for your MXA70. Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not install the MXA70 directly above a heat generating device, such as a Power Amplifier.
MXA70 Rear Panel Connections RIGHT OUTPUT connections for an 8 ohm Loudspeaker LEFT OUTPUT connections for an 8 ohm Loudspeaker DIGITAL AUDIO INPUTS for components with Digital Optical, Coaxial and Balanced 'LJLWDO $(6 (%8 2XWSXWV sending digital audio signals Main Fuse holder, refer to information on the back panel of your MXA70 to determine the correct fuse size and rating 3:5 &175/ 3RZHU &RQWURO ,1 receives a turn On/Off signal from a McIntosh Component; PWR CNTRL OUT sends a turn On/Off signal
Notes 9
Connecting Components The MXA70 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to McIntosh Source Components via the Power Control connection. The connection instructions below, together with the MXA70 Connection Diagram on the next page is an example of a typical audio system. Your system may vary from this, however the actual components would be connected in a similar manner. For additional information refer to “Connector and Cable Information” on page 4.
Connecting Components 3. Rotate the Output Terminal Post clockwise until it is ¿QJHU WLJKW 5HIHU WR ¿JXUH - 7KHQ XVing the McIntosh Wrench, rotate the top of the Output Terminal one quarter of a Figure I WXUQ Do not over tighten. Refer WR ¿JXUH ( 4.
System Thru Connections System Thru Connections The MXA70 can also be part of an existing Audio or Audio/Video Sound System. The MXA70 allows connection of Headphones for private listening. It can also drive Loudspeakers in a second room. The MXA70 becomes active when the Main Preamplifier or Audio/ Video Controller is On. In the example below, the MXA70 will go On/Off when the OUTPUT 2 function of the Preamplifier is activated using the Power Control 2 connections. 1.
External Power Amplifier Connections External Power Amplifier Connections The MXA70 has the ability to drive an External Power Amplifier. In the example below, the MXA70 automatically switches the External Power Amplifier On/ Off via Power Control function. 1. Connect Audio Cables from the MXA70 PREAMPlifier OUTPUT jacks to the External Power $PSOLILHU ,1 /HIW DQG 5LJKW MDFNV 2.
Remote Control Push-Buttons Adjusts or Selects the active TRIM function also manually tune down the dial with contemporary McIntosh Tuners Directional Push-buttons Up, Down, Left and Right Adjusts or Selects the active TRIM function also manually tune up the dial with contemporary McIntosh Tuners Press to activate TRIM Mode Scrolls through TRIM Functions Scrolls through TRIM Functions Decreases the volume level Increases the volume level Selects the desired INPUT LED illuminates during the time a
How to use the Remote Control How to use the Remote Control The supplied Remote Control performs the various Operating Functions for the MXA70 Integrated Audio System. Note: Refer to the “How to Operate” Section of this manual for additional information. %DFN DQG 1H[W When using an optional contemporary McIntosh Tuner with the MXA70, select the next Station Preset by press the Push-button. Select the previous Station Preset by pressing the Push-button.
LED indicates when the Right Channel Amplifier POWER GUARD circuit activates LED indicates when the Left Channel Amplifier POWER GUARD circuit activates Meter indicates the Left Channel Output of the amplifier Meter indicates the Right Channel Output of the amplifier IR Sensor receives commands from a Remote Control VOLUME Control allows adjustment of the listening level for both channels. Also used to activate the HXD and Profiles Modes along with selecting a given Profile.
Setup How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh MXA70 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 Display.
Firmware Version Input Renaming The MXA70 functionality is controlled by internal software that is known as Firmware. The MXA70 has two different Firmwares, one is the “System Firmware” (responsible for the basic operation of the 0;$ DQG WKH RWKHU NQRZQ DV 86% $XGLR )LUPware (responsible for the “USB Connection and Conversion” of a Digital Audio Signal from the ComputHU 7KH 9HUVLRQ RI WKH )LUPZDUHV LQ WKH 0;$ FDQ be identified at any time by utilizing the Setup Mode. 1.
Setup, con’t Record any changes made to the various default Input Names in the following chart for future reference. 8. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert back to its normal display. Input Renaming Default Input Name New Input Name UNBAL BALANCED OPTICAL Refer to figure 13. SPEAKER SIZE Small USB Speaker Size The MXA70 allows for the connection of Loudspeakers with different performance capabilities.
Setup, con’t Power Mode, con’t active. Then rotate the INPUT CONTROL until the Setup Menu item “POWER MODE, Auto Off: On” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 17. POWER MODE Auto Off: On Figure 17 2. Rotate the OUTPUT Control until “POWER MODE, Auto Off: Off” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 18. POWER MODE Auto Off: Off Figure 18 3. To exit from the Setup Mode, press the INPUT CONTROL and the Front Panel Display will revert back to its normal display.
How to Operate the MXA70 How to Operate the MXA70 Power On and Off The Red LED beside the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the MXA70 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the MXA70, press the STANDBY/ON 3XVK EXWWRQ RQ WKH )URQW 3DQHO RU SUHVV WKH 3RZHU Push-button on the Remote Control. The MXA70 will go through a brief startup initialization, with the Front Panel Display indicating the last used input and volume setting.
How to Operate the MXA70, con’t After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to indicate the Input Selection and Volume Level. BALANCE The Channel Balance while listening can vary with different program sources. When using Loudspeakers the room acoustics and listening positions also can effect the Channel Balance. Use the Balance Trim Function as needed to achieve approximately equal listening volume levels in each channel. To adjust the Balance perform the following: 1.
How to Operate the MXA70 1. Momentarily press the Front Panel INPUT Control to enter the TRIM Mode. Then rotate the INPUT Control until “MONO / STEREO” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 62. MONO / STEREO Stereo Figure 62 MONO / STEREO Mono Figure 63 After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to indicate the Input Selection and Volume Level.
How to Operate the MXA70, con’t To un-MUTE the Audio press the MUTE Pushbutton on the Remote Control, adjust the Volume level or change Inputs. +HDGSKRQHV -DFN Connect a pair of dynamic headphones to the HeadSKRQHV -DFN ZLWK D ´ PP VWHUHR SKRQH W\SH plug for private listening. Note: Use the OUTPUT Control to select the correct impedance range. +HDGSKRQH +;'TM The MXA70 Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXDTM ) improves the sound localization for Headphone Listening.
How to Operate the MXA70, con’t choices available, the correct impedance and power output for the Headphones that will be used for listening. Refer to figures 72 thru 78. 2. If desired, select the HXDTM Mode by momentarily press the the VOLUME Control. The HXD Icon located above the Headphone Jack will illuminate Green. Refer to figure 71. 3. If desired, select the amount of TRIM Bass Boost by momentarily pressing the INPUT Control.
How to Operate the MXA70, con’t Profile Mode, con’t 14. To store the renamed Profile into memory press and hold in the VOLUME CONTROL until the Front Panel Display indicated “SAVE PROFILE, Profile Saved”. Refer to figure 81. SAVE PROFILE Profile Saved Figure 81 15. To exit the Profile Rename Mode momentarily press the VOLUME Control. DELETING PROFILES 7KHUH DUH WZR ZD\V WR 'HOHWH 3URILOH V GHOHWH RQH saved Profile or delete all saved Profile Names. In the first example one Profile will be deleted.
How to Operate the MXA70, con’t performance. For the best performance, the volume control on the MXA70 should be set to 70%. The Volume Control on the Main Preamplifier or Audio/ Video Controller should be used to adjust the listening volume level. 'LJLWDO ,QSXWV When a Digital Input (Optical, Coax or AES/EBU &RQQHFWLRQ RQ WKH 0;$ LV VHOHFWHG WKH )URQW 3DQHO Display will indicate the Sampling Frequency when a signal is present “48K”. Refer to figure 102.
Figure 108 Figure 109 :LQGRZV 6RXQG 6HWWLQJV For proper operation of the McIntosh MXA70 via the Computer USB Connection, it is required to make changes to Windows Sound Settings: 1. Click on the “McIntosh ICON” (located in the Windows notification area on the right side of the WDVNEDU RU FOLFN RQ WKH :LQGRZV ³6KRZ KLGGHQ icons”, then select the “McIntosh ICON”. Refer to figures 115, 116 and 117.
How to Operate the MXA70, con’t SAMPLE RATE: The Sample Rate pull down Window indicates the Sample Rate choices of the connected McIntosh MXA70. It also communicates the selected choice of Sampling Rate to the active Windows Playback Program. Note: In general, when the original music is recorded at a higher Sampling Rate, the result is usually more detail in the music. However, this higher rate results in consuming larger amounts of storage space.
Amplifier Specifications Amplifier Specifications /RXGVSHDNHU 3RZHU 2XWSXW 50 watts is the minimum sine wave continuous average power output per channel, both channels operating +HDGSKRQH 3RZHU 2XWSXW 250mWatts - Norm Selection, 1 watt - High Selection /RXGVSHDNHU 2XWSXW /RDG ,PSHGDQFH 8 ohms +HDGSKRQH 2XWSXW /RDG ,PSHGDQFH 8 - 40 ohms, 40 - 150 ohms, 150 - 600 ohms 5DWHG 3RZHU %DQG 20Hz to 20,000Hz 7RWDO +DUPRQLF 'LVWRUWLRQ 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. 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. If D VKLSSLQJ FDUWRQ RU DQ\ RI WKH LQWHULRU SDUW V DUH needed, please call or write Customer Service
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.
McIntosh 32/192 PCM DAC, Preferred Settings to Play all File Types with JRiver Media Engine 20 using a Windows 7 or 8 Computer Purpose of this Document: To add the capability of playing DSD-DXD file types over McIntosh 32/192 USB 2.0 DACs as used in C48, C50, C2500, D100, MHA100, MXA70, MA5200, MAC6700, MA6700, MA7900, MA8000 The following hardware will be needed: 1-A modern Win 7 or 8 computer using high performance Quad Core processors 2-A USB 2.
The Sound window should show JR as the default device. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 2 Chambers Street • Binghamton, NY 13903 • (800) 538Ͳ6576 • www.mcintoshlabs.
If the McIntosh USB shows up as Default or Default Communications Device Check on the Properties tab and Disable. Although the system could be run with two devices checked we are going to use JRMC20 as the main USB device. This will simplify the digital signal path, allow for customization, cut latency by more than half and result in cleaner sound quality with enhanced dynamics, both macro and micro. Next step is to check the Configure in the lower left of the Sound box with JR highlighted blue.
Select full-range speakers and then with no other music playing and the USB–D/A input selected on the McIntosh stereo, click one speaker at a time. You will hear the chime sounds come out of your left and right speaker. After the chimes are played, click Next then Finish in the final box. Next is to make the top tab choices in the JRMC 20 Properties screen. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 2 Chambers Street • Binghamton, NY 13903 • (800) 538Ͳ6576 • www.mcintoshlabs.
First we need to set Supported Formats: In the Supported Format tab/window, all six, 44.1kHz through 192kHz should be shown. Bit depth will be set later in the JR20 Music program so ignore the 16 bit. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 2 Chambers Street • Binghamton, NY 13903 • (800) 538Ͳ6576 • www.mcintoshlabs.
Level tab should always be set to 100% as shown since listening Volume is set in the connected McIntosh model and all bits are always sent from the JRiver player to the McIntosh for Bit Perfect conversion to stereo analog playback. Finally open the Advanced Tab section of JRiver Properties screen. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 2 Chambers Street • Binghamton, NY 13903 • (800) 538Ͳ6576 • www.mcintoshlabs.
Once again 16/44 should be checked or simply Restore Defaults as the data rate will be set in the music program. Exclusive Modes should be checked. If you are using, say a laptop for music storage on multiple USB audio playback devices, each with their own drivers, you will need to switch default devices in the Sound settings whenever you connect to a different device.
ASIO Hosts can change should be checked. The next section will cover the settings in the JRiver Media Engine 20. Settings in JRiver 20 for McIntosh 32/192 PCM DACS. JR20 is a powerful computer program that will allow the manipulation and playback of many types of files. Under the HELP tab at the top left of the JR home screen you will find a drop down menu that lists HELP ->HELP WIKI.
The top left corner of the JR home screen has a series of tabs; File, Edit, View, Player, the Tools where the playback setting are located, and Help. Left click on the Tools tab and go to the bottom of the list and select Options. This will open up the main adjustment page. The top left hand side AUDIO tab should be checked so the adjustments to the Audio Device section of the program are listed. The first selection made needs to be Digital Output under Audio Device.
All of these following adjustments are being made to match the way the data from the WIN computer is sent to the McIntosh ASIO USB input. If only ONE type of digital file was used for all music this would be simple. If however, ANY audio file type and all resolutions are to be played then the JR 20 settings must match the switching cadence of the McIntosh DAC. These recommended settings are based on extended testing using mixed files from 16bit-44 kHz, mp3 quality through 5.
All other tabs in this left hand list can be used but this will result in the loss of Bit Perfect playback, which for maximum fidelity, is the goal of these adjustments. B-Clip Protection should be checked as this will prevent digital overload which can produce harsh sounds. Volume Leveling will also protect against clipping. In the center of the screen output formats are set. This is two columns of input, the original file encoding, and output what is sent to the DAC.
These Setting changes as shown will need to be duplicated for proper playback. 1-DSP & Output format … was set above 2-Bitsreaming: None (recommended) 3- Prebuffering: 6 seconds (recommended) 4-Play silence at startup for hardware synchronization: None 5-Check - Play Files from memory instead of disk. Note: This will pull the music from the solid state memory instead of the spinning disc drive which is more precise.
Track Change 1-Switch Tracks: Standard (gapped) - 3s, allows the time needed by the DAC when tracks are of a different resolution. If the tracks are the same resolution they will switch like a normal CD. 2- Use gapless for sequential album tracks- Check. (Note: this is for albums that are gapless like Dark Side of The Moon, etc.) Stop, Seek and Skip- Set Seek: Seek: Smooth (normal) Stop: immediate Pause: immediate At the bottom of the Options page is a tab, Advanced that will need one setting adjustment.
These are all of the settings needed for smooth playback from the computer to the McIntosh Asio USB input. Please refer to the JRiver Wiki Help forum for detailed advice and information on JRiver operation. Additional questions on the McIntosh ASIO USB input may be sent to McIntosh Tech Support. Thank you, McIntosh Tech Support RC-2-11-15 McIntosh Laboratory, Inc 2 Chambers Street • Binghamton, NY 13903 • (800) 538Ͳ6576 • www.mcintoshlabs.
MXA70 integrated audio system ■ The new MXA70 features a compact yet fully functional 50 watt stereo amplifier and a pair of luxurious, high gloss 2-way speakers that achieve an unusually rich and full sized level of performance for their size. ■ For those times when you want to enjoy your music even more intimately, the MXA70 includes a dedicated headphone amplifier that takes advantage of unique McIntosh technologies to yield the best possible personal listening experience.
MXA70 integrated audio system AMPLIFIER SPECIFICATIONS Amplifier Power Output: 50 watts per channel with both channels operating into 8 Ohms Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.
HOME ELECTRONICS THREE YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY W elcome to the family of McIntosh owners. This is the Warranty for your new McIntosh Home Electronic Product (the “Product”). Your Product has been designed to give many years of trouble-free performance. Nonetheless, failures do sometimes occur even with equipment as well-built as McIntosh’s.
Scope and Duration of Warranty Parts and Occurrences that are not Covered by the Warranty Subject to the terms and conditions stated below, McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. (“McIntosh”) warrants to the original owner that this Product shall be free from defects in workmanship or materials for a term of three (3) years from the date when it was purchased from an Authorized McIntosh Dealer.
