McIntosh C 100 Brochure

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See SYSTEMS ENGINEERING in main brochure for more on McIntosh system architectures. C100 Preamplifier/Controller FULLY BALANCED DUAL-CHASSIS DESIGN. The extraordinary C100 is fully balanced from input to output -“ a configuration that essentially cancels all distortion. The precision volume control has four matched sections and the main gain stage uses four matched amplifiers oper- ating in push-pull. Even unbalanced signals are converted to and processed as balanced signals. The Preamplifier chassis, which contains only audio circuits and inputs/outputs, is completely isolated from the power supply and the microprocessors, ensuring total noise rejection. The Controller chassis contains the selector switches, digital display, all control microprocessors, and the power supply. After any switching operation, the control circuits are automatically turned off to eliminate any possibility of microprocessor noise reaching the audio circuits. The only connection between the Preamplifier and Controller is a 25-pin shielded cable. SILENT ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHING. In a conventional preamp, an input signal travels to a switch, and then travels to the input circuitry. Unfortunately, the farther a signal must travel, the more distorted it becomes. And this says nothing of what detritus a dirty switch can add to the signal. McIntosh Silent Electromagnetic Switching literally brings the switch to the input. The distortion-free switch consists of a glass tube containing oxygen-free gas and two signal leads separated by mere thousandths of an inch. The tube sits in a multilayer copper coil and the entire assembly is encased in shock-absorbent plastic. When DC voltage is applied to the coil in response to a switching command, current flow creates a magnetic field that causes the leads to bend and contact one another, completing the circuit. The inert gas eliminates corrosion of the contacts, ensuring a low-resistance, distortion-free switch that never needs cleaning. Another benefit is that non-selected inputs are truly off, eliminating potential sources of interference. I t embodies the expertise of famously uncompromising engineers. It is a fully balanced design with a separate chassis for total isolation of the audio signal. It uses the finest one-percent resistors and capacitors and internal gold-plated contacts with solid-soldered joints. No details are overlooked in the design of a preamplifier virtually devoid of any measurable noise. The McIntosh C100 awaits those who may be searching for their lastpreamplifier. Featured Technologies

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PRECISION, OPTICALLY REGULATED VOLUME CONTROL. If McIntosh electromagnetic switching brings the switch to the input, then the C100s volume control brings the attenuator to the input. The volume knob actually operates an optical rotary encoder with 128 steps; it sends instructions at the speed of light to the digitally controlled attenuator located near the inputs. Together they provide 0.5dB resolution with 0.05dB accuracy. PROGRAMMABLE SOURCE TRIM. A traditional McIntosh feature that allows matching the output levels of different source components, source trim in the C100 establishes new standards for audio purity and operating convenience. Instead of adjusting individual potentiometers, the trim for each input is stored electronically as a volume offset, using the tuner level as the standard. ADVANCED PHONO SECTION. Phono inputs are provided for both moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges. The MC inputs have a dedicated RIAA preamplifier and double mu-metal-shielded step-up transformers wound with silver wire. CONTROL DATA OUTPUTS. To facilitate system integration, the C100 outputs control data for sourcecomponents. This allows remote operation of non-McIntosh components either by direct connection to compatible data inputs or via a McIntosh Remote Translator. BALANCED CONNECTIONS. Balanced connections guard against induced noise. A balanced connection between the C100 and the MC1000 amp provides 40dB more noise protection than would an unbalanced (single-ended) connection. REMOTE POWER CONTROL. The C100 has four individual remote power jacks (two main, plus switched 1 and switched 2) that enable it to turn connected power amps on/off. Featured Technologies (contd.) About the C100 Companion Products The McIntosh products shown at right are logical companions for the C100. Separate literature is available. Check with your McIntosh dealer for any late additions. McIntosh speaker systems are also covered in detail in separate literature. MC1000 Power Amplifier, MDA700 D/A Converter, and MCD751 CD Transport. The MC1000 double-balanced power amp and the C100 both hail from the no-compromise school of design. Add the MDA700 converter with balanced output plus the MCD751 transport for a totally balanced audio system without peer. MR85 AM/FM Tuner. A natural companion, the MR85 tuner is a thoroughly engineered broad- cast monitor that reveals the upper limits of AM and FM performance. RCT4 Remote Translator. The Translator allows non-McIntosh components to be operated with a McIntosh handheld remote or keypad controller. It connects to the data outputs on the C100. PC4 AC Power Controller. The PC4 provides five AC outlets (four switched) for turning non- McIntosh components on and off automatically when it is connected to the power control output of a Control Center or Integrated Amplifier. R649 IR Sensor. With switching for three additional stereo power amplifiers and a connector for an external IR sensor, the C100 can supply music to other areas, with remote operation via the R649 wall-mount IR sensor. C100 Companions MC1000 MONOBLOCK POWER AMP MR85 AM/FM TUNER MDA700 D/A CONVERTER MCD751 CD TRANSPORT RCT4 REMOTE TRANSLATOR PC4 AC POWER CONTROLLER R649 IR SENSOR The input selectors on McIntosh Control Centers actually control state-of-the-art silent electromagnetic switches. leadcoil sealed glass tube circuit completes when leads touch lead switching command causes DC voltage at coil M ost consumer electronics products are necessarily viewed as short-term investments because either they dont last or they quickly become obsolete in some way. Coincidentally, manufacturers supply a steady stream of new-and-improved products that you can buy. Again. Behind every McIntosh is a fifty-year heritage of excellence, proudly carried forward by every employee. No productionlines, no price-point engineering, no planned obsolescence. McIntosh equipment is made to sound better and last longer. When McIntosh products are presented to customers, the criteria they have been conditioned to overlook -“ reliability, longevity, craftsmanship, ease-of-use, adaptability, pride of ownership -“ suddenly leap to the top of their list. The choice becomes clear: There is nothing like a McIntosh.