3
Customer Service
Technical Assistance
Please Take A Moment
Thank You
Copyright 2003 by McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
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:
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.
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:
Dealer Name:
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
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
Table of Contents
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.
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