Important Information, Connector Information

N/C

Data Ground

Data Signal

Pin 2

Pin 1

Pin 3

Important Information

WARNING: The McIntosh C500 is a two chassis design, with separate Preamplifier and Controller chassis. There are custom interconnecting cables and custom chassis sockets used to connect the two chassis together.

Use ONLY the custom interconnect cables supplied with the C500 to connect the chassis together.

DO NOT connect the C500 Left and Right 25- Pin Chassis Sockets to any other component. Failure to observe the above warnings will

result in damage to the components connected.

1.The C500 System consists of two separate chassis, one Controller and one Preamplifier. The C500 Controller Chassis will be referred to as the C500C throughout this Owner’s Manual. In a similar manner, the C500 Preamplifier (Solid State) Chassis will be referred to as the C500P and the C500 Tube Preamplifier Chassis will be referred to as the C500T throughout this Owner’s Manual.

2.For additional information on Audio Connections, refer to the Owner’s Manual(s) for the component(s).

3.Connecting Cables and Connectors are available from the McIntosh Parts Department:

Data, Power Control and Trigger Cable Part No.

170-202

Six foot, shielded 2 conductor, with 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug on each end.

Controller to Preamplifier Cable Part No. 171-872Three foot, shielded 23 conductor, male-to-female custom cable, two required between Controller and Preamplifier. Do not use any other cable when connecting the C500 Controller to the C500 Preamplifier or C500 Tube Preamplifier. This cable is for use only with the C500 Controller and Preamplifier.

4.The Main AC Power Cable going to the C500C and any other McIntosh Component(s) should not be connected to an AC Power Outlet until all the system components are connected together. When the C500C and other McIntosh Components are in their Standby Power Off Mode, the Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside each component is active and communication is occurring between them. Failure to do so could result in malfunctioning of some or all of the system’s normal operations.

5.Up to two sensors can be wired in parallel for Remote Control of the C500 from other rooms.

6.Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs can be mixed. For example, you may connect signal sources to Unbalanced Inputs and send signals from the Balanced Outputs. You can also use Balanced and Unbalanced outputs simultaneously, connected to different power amplifiers.

7.Sound Intensity is measured in units called Decibels and “dB” is the abbreviation.

8.If the C500P and/or C500T Preamplifiers 23-conductor custom interconnect cable(s) becomes temporarily disconnected from the C500C when it is On or in Stand-by Mode, a cable error message will appear on the C500C. Remove the AC Power Cord from the C500C, connect the disconnected 23-conductor custom interconnect cable(s) and then reconnect the AC Power Cord. The C500 System will automatically reset itself to the previous configuration.

Connector Information

XLR Connectors

Below is the Pin configuration for the XLR Balanced Input and Output Connectors on the C500 Preamplifier. Refer to the diagram for connection:

PIN 1: Shield/Ground

PIN 2: + Signal

PIN 3: - Signal

Main Power Control Connectors

The C500’s Power Control Outputs provide a +5 volt sig-

nal. An additional connection is for	Power
controlling the illumination of a Power	Control
controlling the illumination of a Power	Control
Amplifier Output Meter. Use a 1/8	Meter
inch stereo mini phone plug to connect	Illumination
to the Power Control Input on other	Control	Ground
to the Power Control Input on other		Ground

McIntosh Components.

Trigger Control Connectors

The C500’s Trigger Control Outputs provide either a +5

	volt (default) or +12 volt signal (refer to	Trigger
	page 18). Use a 1/8 inch stereo mini
		Control
	phone plug to connect to the Power
		N/C
	Control Input on McIntosh and/or non-
		Ground
	McIntosh components.

Data and IR Port Connectors

The C500’s Data Port Output provides Remote Control Sig- nals. Use a 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug to connect to the Data

Port Inputs on McIntosh Source Units.

Introduction

The C500 Preamplifier with a Controller is one of the finest audio preamplifiers McIntosh has ever created. No design compromises were allowed in the quest for a preamplifier, both Solid State and Tube with absolute accuracy, total sonic purity and virtual elimination of distortion and audible noise. For those who have been searching for the “Best in Preamplifiers”, your wait is over.