McIntosh MC501 owner manual Thank You, Please Take a Moment, Customer Service, Table of Contents

Thank You

Your decision to own this McIntosh MC501 Power Ampli- fier ranks you at the very top among discriminating music listeners. You now have “The Best.” The McIntosh dedica- tion 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.

Please Take A Moment

The serial number, purchase date and McIntosh Dealer name are important to you for possible insurance claim or future service. The spaces below have been provided for you to record that information:

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Dealer Name:

Technical Assistance

If at any time you have questions about your McIntosh product, contact your McIntosh Dealer who is familiar with your McIntosh equipment and any other brands that may be part of your system. If you or your Dealer wish addi- tional help concerning a suspected problem, you can re- ceive technical assistance for all McIntosh products at:

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street

Binghamton, New York 13903

Phone: 607-723-1545

Fax: 607-723-3636

Customer Service

If it is determined that your McIntosh product is in need of repair, you can return it to your Dealer. You can also return it to the McIntosh Laboratory Service Department. For as- sistance on factory repair return procedure, contact the McIntosh Service Department at:

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

2 Chambers Street

Binghamton, New York 13903

Phone: 607-723-3515

Fax: 607-723-1917

Table of Contents
Safety Instructions	2
Thank You and Please Take a Moment	3
Technical Assistance and Customer Service	3
Table of Contents and General Notes	3
Connector Information	4
Introduction	4
Performance Features	4
Dimensions	5
Installation	6
Top Panel Connections and Switch	7
How to Connect	8
Front Panel Displays and Controls	10
How to Operate	11
Technical Description	12
Notes	16
Specifications	18
Packing Instruction	19

Important Information

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.

1.The following Connecting Cable is available from the McIntosh Parts Department:

Power Control Cable Part No. 170-202

Six foot, 2 conductor shielded, with two 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plugs.

2.For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MC501.

3.The MC501 mutes the speaker output for approximately two seconds when first turned on.

4.It is very important that loudspeaker cables of adequate size be used, so that there will be no power loss. The size is specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG, (American Wire Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the wire size:

If your loudspeaker cables are 50 feet (38.1m) or less, use at least 14 Gauge.

If your loudspeaker cables are 100 feet (76.2m) or less, use at least 12 Gauge.

5.In the event the MC501 over heats, due to improper ventilation and/or high ambient temperature, the protection circuits will activate. The Power Guard LED will stay ON and the audio will be muted. When the MC501 has returned to a safe operating temperature, normal operation will resume.

6.The MC501 incorporates Fully Double Balanced Circuitry. As a result, the Loudspeaker Negative Connections are above chassis ground. Do not combine any connections together, ground them or connect with another MC501.

Copyright 2003  by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.

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