McIntosh C500 owner manual Introduction and Performance Features

Introduction and Performance Features

Performance Features

•Dual Chassis with Dual Mono Design

The Dual Chassis design completely separates all power supply, microprocessor and control circuits from the pure audio circuits for total noise isolation. To further aid in channel isolation the circuitry for both channels is totally separate, physically isolated and shielded. The C500 incor- porates two identical power supplies one for each channel, to help assure total channel isolation.

•Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs/Outputs

Four balanced high level inputs and three balanced main outputs are provided. Four high level unbalanced inputs, two unbalanced outputs as well as listen and record proces- sor loops are included.

•Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Inputs The C500 contains two different shielded precision Phono Preamplifier Circuits. One is designed for low output Mov- ing Coil Phono Cartridges and has selectable resistance loading. The second Phono Preamplifier is for Moving Magnet Cartridges and has selectable capacitive loading. Both circuits use the latest designs to provide the lowest possible noise and distortion. The RIAA Correction Equal- ization Circuitry utilizies 0.5% tolerance resistors and 1% capacitors for an extremely flat frequency response.

•Input Level Trim Adjustment

All the C500 Inputs can be matched in volume level, so there are no abrupt changes in volume levels between the different inputs.

•Precision Tracking Variable Rate Volume Control Volume levels are controlled by a Multi-Stage Precision Digitally Controlled Attenuator System with an Optical En- coder Rotary Control. This helps to assure a tracking accu- racy between channels of 0.1dB, while providing 213 indi- vidual 0.5dB steps of change in the volume level and all of this with no noise as the volume level is changed.

•Balance Control

The Balance Control Circuitry allows for precise and re- peatable change in channel balance in 1dB steps.

•Alphanumeric Fluorescent Display

The Multifunction Front Panel Display indicates the Listen and Record Source Selection, with Volume indicated in dB or percentage and Balance Levels in dB. Setup Mode Selec- tions and Adjustments are also displayed.

•Precision Parts

All resistors are precision metal film type. Low dielectric absorption film capacitors are used in all critical circuit lo- cations.

•Passthru Mode

The Automatic Passthru Mode allows the C500 to become part of a Multichannel Sound System for DVD-Audio, SACD and Home Theater Movies.

•Remote Control

The Remote Control included with the C500 allows remote operation of the Preamplifier along with controlling various other McIntosh Source Components and Processors.

•Optional External Sensor Input

There are provisions for connecting external sensors, which allow for enjoying your McIntosh System from another room(s) in your home via the remote control.

•Power Control Output

A Power Control connection for convenient turn-on of McIntosh Source Components, McIntosh Power Amplifiers and accessories is included.

•Glass Front Panel with Fiber Optic Illumination The famous McIntosh Illuminated Glass Front Panel en- sures the pristine beauty of the C500 will be retained for many years.The Illumination of the Front Panel is accom- plished by the combination of custom designed Fiber Optic Light Diffusers and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). This provides even Front Panel Illumination, together with the extra long life LEDs.

•Extruded Side Panels

The sides of the VP1000 are extruded aluminum panels with a bead blast textured surface and a black anodized fin- ish.

•Special Power Supply

Fully regulated Power Supplies, one for each channel, uti- lize special R-Core Power Transformers helping to ensure stable noise free operation even though the power line var- ies.

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