Tube Preamplifier C2300 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 C2300 Tube 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. Safety Instructions ...........................
General, Connector and Cable Information General Information Connector and Cable Information 1. The C2300 uses Vacuum Tubes for amplifying the audio signal. The C2300 is designed to have only qualified Service Personnel perform any part(s) replacement including all the vacuum tubes. 2. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the C2300 Tube Preamplifier. 3.
Introduction and C2300 Features Introduction The McIntosh C2300 Tube Preamplifier is one of the finest Tube Preamplifiers ever created. The versatile Preamplifier provides connections for various input sources and outputs to drive multiple Power Amplifiers. The C2300 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 C2300. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C2300 into cabinets. 17-1/2" 44.45cm Front View of the C2300 7 -1/8" 18.10cm 7 -5/8" 19.37cm 17-1/8" 43.50cm Rear View of the C2300 6-3/8" 16.19cm 13 -1/4" 33.66cm 16-1/2" 41.91cm 14-1/2" 36.83cm Side View of the C2300 3/16" 0.48cm 13/16" 2.06cm 10-9/16" 26.83cm 1-15/16" 6 4.92cm 2" 6-9/16" 16.67cm 5.
Installation Installation The C2300 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 C2300 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 C2300 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
Rear Panel Connections Rear Panel Connections The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the C2300 Tube Preamplifier is located on a separate folded sheet contained in the Owner’s Manual Packet. Refer to separate sheet “Mc2A” for the Rear Panel Connections.
How to Connect the C2300 How to Connect the C2300 The C2300 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to McIntosh Source Components via the Power Control connections. The Data Port Connections allow for the remote operation of basic functions using the C2300 Remote Control. With an external sensor connected to the C2300, remote control operation of the system is possible from another room and/or when the C2300 is located in a cabinet with the doors closed.
Front Panel Displays, Controls, Push-buttons and Jack INPUT Control selects the desired audio signals for listening and recording. It is also used in the setup mode for various functions IR Sensor receives commands from a Remote Control METER indicates the Preamplifier’s Left Channel relative Output Level Connection for low impedance dynamic headphones with 1/4” (0.
Setup How to Operate the Setup Modes Default Settings Your McIntosh C2300 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 Alphanumeric Display. Refer to the C2300 Front Panel Illustration on the previous page while performing the following steps.
Re-Title Inputs 2. Press the SETUP Push-button to access the Setup Mode. 3. Rotate the MENU (INPUT) Control until “TRIM TUN 0.0” appears on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display. Refer to figure 4. Figure 4 Note: If necessary, rotate the SELECT 1 (TRIM SELECT) Control for “TUN” and rotate the SELECT 2 (TRIM ADJUST) for ”0.0”. 4. Rotate the SELECT 1 Control or use the Remote Con- trol ◄INPUT► push-button until the display indicates “TRIM CD 0.0”. 5.
Setup, con’t Display Brightness The Front Panel Alphanumeric DISPLAY Brightness may be varied from a setting of 1 (Dim) to 7 (Bright). Follow the steps below for reducing the Display Brightness. 1. Press the SETUP Push-button to access the Setup Mode. 2. Rotate the MENU Control until the word DISPLAY 7 appears. 3. Rotate the SELECT 2 Control until the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display indicates “Display 3”. 4. Press the SETUP Push-button to exit the Setup Mode.
Remote Control Push-Buttons LED illuminates during the time a remote command is sent to the C2300 Press to Power the C2300 ON or OFF Press MODE to switch between Stereo and Mono Modes Turns AC Power ON or OFF to certain McIntosh Components when connected via the Data Port Press to Power ON the C2300 Selects Functions for McIntosh Home Controller and as a “shift” key when used with the AM or FM push-buttons to select Output (Spkr) 1 or 2 Press to Power OFF the C2300 Switches OFF the entire C2300 Syst
How to use the Remote Control How to use the Remote Control The supplied Remote Control is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary McIntosh Source Components connected to the C2300 Tube Preamplifier. Input Source Selection Press the appropriate Source Push-button to select the desired program source. Sources may also be selected by pressing the ◄INPUT► push-button. Mute Press the MUTE Push-button to mute audio.
How to Operate the C2300 Power On The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the C2300 is connected to AC Power. To Switch ON the C2300, press the STANDBY/ON Push-button on the Front Panel or the PWR (Power) Push-button on the Remote Control. The title TUBE WARMUP will appear on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display after Turn-On, with the Audio Outputs muted. Refer to figures 12, 13, 14 and 21.
How to Operate the C2300 changing it, use the TRIM SELECT Control or TRIM Push-button and select Balance. BASS The Intensity of the Low Frequencies in the music can be increased or decreased by using the Trim Select and Trim Adjust Controls. To make adjustment perform the following: 1. Rotate the Front Panel TRIM SELECT Control or press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Control until “BASS __” appears on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display. 2.
How to Operate the C2300, con’t METER ILLUMINATION The C2300 Front Panel Meter Illumination may be switched On or Off by performing the following: 1. Rotate the TRIM SELECT Control or press the TRIM Push-button on the Remote Control until “METER ON” appears on the Front Panel Alphanumeric Display. 2. Rotate the TRIM ADJUST Control or press the LEVEL + / - Push-buttons to switch On or Off the Meter Illumination.
How to Operate the C2300, con’t Figure 26 Output 1 and 2 Press the Front Panel OUTPUT 1 / OUTPUT 2 Push-button or by using the Remote Control and pressing the 2nd Push-button followed by the OUTPUT 1 / OUTPUT 2 Push-button to send audio to separate Power Amplifiers connected to the rear panel OUTPUTS 1 or 2 Jacks. It also activates the POWER CONTROL OUTPUT 1 /OUTPUT 2 Jacks on the rear panel of the C2300.
Technical Description The McIntosh engineering staff has created a Tube Preamplifier without compromise, using the most advanced McIntosh circuit design concepts. Many months of design, testing and measuring were required. Extensive controlled listening tests, the ultimate form of measuring, were made before the final design was accepted. Silent Audio Switching All signal switching in the C2300 is done by Electro-Magnetic devices.
Technical Description Control Circuit is unacceptable for use in the C2300, as it does not match the classic McIntosh Volume Control Audio Taper. The C2300 incorporates electronic circuitry together with sophisticated firmware to produce electronically the classic McIntosh Volume Control Audio Taper, while maintaining the channel balance and freedom from control noise. The Volume Control on the Front Panel of the C2300 is actually a special digital optical encoder.
Specifications Specifications Output Impedance 220 ohms Frequency Response +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -1dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz Headphone Load Impedance 16 ohms to 250 ohms Total Harmonic Distortion 0.08% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz Tube Compliment MM Phono Circuitry: 2 - 12AX7A MC Phono Circuitry: 2 - 12AX7A High Level Circuitry: 2 - 12AX7A 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 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.