How to Connect
How to Connect for Left, Center and Right Channels
Caution: The supplied AC Power Cord should not be connected to the Rear Panel of the MC303 Amplifier until after the Loudspeaker Connec- tions have been made. Failure to observe this could result in Electric Shock. For additional instruction on making Loudspeaker Connec- tions contact your McIntosh Dealer or McIn- tosh Technical Support.
The connection instructions below, together with the MC303 Connection Diagram located on the separate folded sheet “Mc1B, is an example of a typical audio/video sys- tem. 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 In- formation” on page 4.
1.For Remote Power Control, connect a power control ca- ble from the A/V Control Center or Preamplifier Power Control Out to the MC303 POWER CONTROL IN.
2.Connect a second power control cable from the MC303 POWER CONTROL OUT to the Left and Right Sur- round Channel Power Amplifier Power Control In.
3.Connect cables from the Balanced Outputs of the A/V Control Center or Preamplifier (Left, Center and Right
Front Channels) to the MC303 BALANCED INPUTs
Note: An optional hookup is to use the UNBALanced IN- PUTS with unbalanced cables instead of balanced. However, both type of connections for a given Input should not be used at the same time.
4.Connect cables from the Balanced Outputs of the A/V
Control Center or Preamplifier (Surround Channels) to the Left and Right Surround Channel Power Amplifier.
When connecting Loudspeakers to the MC303 it is very important to use cables of adequate size, so there is little to no power loss in the cables. The size is specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (American Wire Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the wire size:
Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide
Loudspeaker | 25 feet | 50 feet | 100 feet | |
(7.62 meters) | (15.24 meters) | (30.48 meters) | ||
Impedance | ||||
or less | or less | or less | ||
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2 Ohms | 12AWG | 10AWG | 8AWG | |
4 Ohms | 14AWG | 12AWG | 10AWG | |
8 Ohms | 16AWG | 14AWG | 12AWG |
5.This McIntosh MC303 Power Amplifier is designed for the connection of a single Loudspeaker per amplifier channel, with an impedance of 2 ohms, 4 ohms or 8 ohms.
Note: The remaining Amplifier Loudspeaker Terminals should not be connected to another Loudspeaker.
6.Prepare the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables that attach to the Amplifier by choosing one of the methods below:
Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the cable ends, refer to figures 1, 2 & 3. If the cable is strand- ed, carefully twist the strands together as tightly as
possible. |
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Note: If desired, the |
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twisted ends can |
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be tinned with | Figure 1 | Figure 2 | Figure 3 |
solder to keep |
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the strands together, or attach spade lug and/or banana connector.
Spade lug or prepared wire connection:
Insert the spade lug connector or prepared section of the cable end into the terminal side access hole, and tighten the terminal cap until the cable is firmly clamped into the
terminal so the wires cannot slip out. Refer to figures 4, 5 & 6.
Banana plug connection:
Insert the banana plug into the hole at the top of the terminal. Refer to figures A and B.
Note: Banana Plugs are for use in the United States and Canada only.
7.Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables from a single Loudspeaker to the output terminals that match the impedance of OUPUT 1, being careful to observe the correct polarities. Output impedance connections of 2 ohms, 4 ohms and 8 ohms are provided. If the Loud- speaker’s impedance is
WARNING: Loudspeaker terminals are hazardous live and present a risk of electric shock.
8.In a similar manner, connect a Loudspeaker to OUT- PUT 2 and connect the remaining Loudspeaker to OUTPUT 3.
9.Connect the MC303 Power Cord to a live AC outlet.
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