McIntosh manual How to Operate the MCC404/MCC404M Introduction

Figure 5

Figure 8

Figure 4

Figure 7

How to Operate the MCC404/MCC404M

Introduction

The McIntosh MCC404/MCC404M is a highly versatile amplifier that can be configured in many ways. This manual gives examples of some of the most common con- figurations. The best way to set equalization and filter con- trols is through the use of a real-time spectrum analyzer and the expertise of a professional installer. This manual will guide you through the basic operation, however we suggest you refer to your dealer for further information on the use of this unit. To access the Amplifier Controls and Switches refer to “Removing the Glass Panel” located on page 6 of this Owners Manual.

Low Pass Filter

The LOW PASS Filter Controls select the center frequen- cies at which the filters operate for all four amplifier chan- nels. Any given frequency number is selected through the combined settings of the FREQUENCY and MULTIPLIER controls. The low-pass filters

multiplier switches have settings of X1 (fre- quency times one), X10 (frequency times ten). Refer to figure 4.

Example: A frequency 1,500 Hz would be attained by setting the FREQUENCY Control to 150 and setting the MULTIPLIER Switch to X10 (150 times 10 equals 1,500).

High Pass Filter

The HIGH PASS Filter Controls select the center frequen- cies at which the filters operate. Any given frequency num- ber is selected through the combined settings of the FRE- QUENCY and MULTIPLIER controls. The

high-pass filter multiplier switches have set- tings of X.1 (frequency times one-tenth), X1 (frequency times one), X10 (frequency times ten). Refer to figure 5.

Example: A frequency of 15 Hz would be selected by setting the FREQUENCY Control to 150 and the MULTIPLIER Switch to X.1 (150 times .1 equals 15).

Equalizer

Each of the two pairs of channels (1 and 2, 3 and 4) is equipped with an equalizer. The equalizer is not intended to act as a tone control. The one-band equalizer is best uti- lized as a notch filter to reduce a peak (as located by real- time analysis with an RTA) in your system’s frequency re- sponse. If you are attempting to equalize a system without RTA data, play music you are familiar with, set the equal- izer LEVEL control to +12 and slowly turn the FRE- QUENCY control to get a feel for where in the musical

spectrum the frequency numbers are located. Then set the LEVEL control back to 0 and listen to the system to determine its equaliza-

tion needs. Subtle adjustments are best and

cutting usually sounds better than boosting. Figure 6 Refer to figure 6.

Input Sensitivity Controls

The SENSITIVITY controls allows the setting of the input sensitivity, of all four amplifier channels, to provide an ideal match for the signal source being used. The most de- sirable setting allows the control center to have a useful volume range as wide as possible from loud to soft. A good place to start is to set the amplifier’s SEN-

SITIVITY Control to the output voltage called out in your control center owner’s manual. The Level controls can be set for any sensitivity from .5 volts to 8 volts.

Refer to figure 7.

Note: When used in conjunction with a McIntosh control center, you may find setting the Sensitivity controls to the center detent (1.5V) works best.

Power Output Meters (MCC404M only)

There are two illuminated watt meters on the glass panel, one displaying combined power output for channels 1&2 and one displaying combined power output for channels 3&4. The upper scale

shows power in watts during normal operation, the lower scale displays power in watts for bridged operation. All displays show power into a 4 ohm load. The meters

respond to all the musical information being produced by the amplifier. They indicate to an accuracy of at least 95% of the power output with only a single cycle of a 2000Hz tone burst. Refer to figure 8.

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