McIntosh C 34 V Owners Manual

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE TO PROTECT YOU AND THE MCINTOSH INSTRUMENT. BE SURE TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THEM. 1. Read all instructions - Read the safety and operating instructions before operating the instrument. 2. Retain Instructions - Retain the safety and operating instructions for future reference. 3. Heed warnings - Adhere to warnings and operating instructions. 4. Follow Instructions - Follow all operating and use instructions. WARNING: TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS INSTRUMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. 5. Power Sources - Connect the power supply only to the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the unit. 6. Power-Cord Protection - Route power-supply cords so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the instrument. 7. Ventilation - Locate the instrument for proper ventilation. For example, the instrument should not be placed on a bed, sofa, rug, or similar surface that may block ventilation openings; or, placed in a built-in installation, such as a bookcase or cabinet, that may impede the flow of air through the ventilation openings. 8. Heat - Locate the instrument away from heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other appliance (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9. Wall or Cabinet Mounting - Mount the instrument in a wall or cabinet only as described in the owners manual. 10. Water and Moisture - Do not use the instrument near water - for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool, etc. 11. Cleaning - Clean the instrument by dusting with a dry cloth. Clean the panel with a cloth moistened with a window cleaner. 12. Object and Liquid Entry - Do not permit objects to fall and liquids to spill into the instrument through enclosure openings. TO EXTERNAL ANTENNA TERMINALS OF PRODUCT POWER SERVICE GROUNDING ELECTRODE SYSTEM (reg. internal metal water pipe) OPTIONAL ANTENNA GROUNDING ELECTRODE DRIVEN 8 FEET(2.44m) INTO THE EARTH IF REQUIRED BY LOCAL CODES SEE NEC SECTION 810-11 13. Power Lines - Locate any outdoor antenna away from power lines. 14. Outdoor Antenna Grounding - If an outdoor antenna is connected to the antenna terminal, be sure the antenna system is grounded to provide some protection against voltage surges and built up static charge. In the U.S.A., section 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSl/NFPA No. 70-1987, provides information on the proper ground for the mast and supporting structure, ground for the lead-in wire to an antenna discharge unit, and size of ground conductors, location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode. For ground wire: a) Use No. 10 AWG (5.3 mm2) copper No. 8 AWG (8.4 mm2) aluminum, No. 17 AWG (1.0 mm2) copper-clad steel, bronze wire, or larger as ground wire. b) Secure antenna lead-in and ground wires to house with stand-off insulators spaced from 4 feet (1.22 meters) to 6 feet (1.83 meters) apart. c) Mount antenna discharge unit as closely as possible to where lead-in enters house. d) Use jumper wire not smaller than No. 6 AWG (13.3 mm2) copper or equivalent when separate antenna grounding electrode is used. STAND-OFF INSULATORS ANTENNA LEAD IN WIRE BONDING JUMPER SERVICE ENTRANCE EQUIPMENT

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15. Nonuse Periods - Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet when left unused for a long period of time. 16. Damage Requiring Service - Service must be performed by qualified service personnel when: A. The power supply cord or the plug has been damaged; or B. Objects have fallen, or liquid has been spilled into the instrument; or C. The instrument has been exposed to rain; or D. The instrument does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance; or E. The instrument has been dropped, or the enclosure damaged. 17. Servicing - Do not attempt to service beyond that described in the operating instructions. All other service should be referred to qualified service personnel. 18. Grounding or Polarization - Do not defeat the inherent design features of the polarized plug. Non-polarized line cord adaptors will defeat the safety provided by the polarized AC plug. 19. CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTICAL SHOCK DO NOT USE THIS (POLARIZED) PLUG WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE. Note to CATV system installer: This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer's attention to Article 820-22 of the NEC that provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical. ATTENTION: POUR PREVENIR LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES PAS UTILISER CETTE FICHE POLARISEE AVEC UN PROLONGATEUR, UNE PRISE DE COURANT OU UNE AUTRE SORTIE DE COURANT, SAUF SI LES LAMES PEUVENT ETRE INSEREES A FOND SANS EN LAISSER AUCUNE PARTIE A DECOUVERT. The lightning flash with arrowhead, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. CAUTION: TO PREVENT THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO USER-SERVICABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED PERSONNEL. The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. The serial number, purchase date, and Mclntosh Laboratory Service Contract number are important to you for possible insurance claim or future service. Record this information here. Serial Number Purchase Date Service Contract Number Upon application, Mclntosh Laboratory provides a Service Contract to the original purchaser. Your Mclntosh Authorized Service Agency can expedite repairs when you provide the Service Contract with the instrument for repair. Copyright 1987 © by Mclntosh Laboratory Inc. 1

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Contents INTRODUCTION SIMPLIFIED BLOCK DIAGRAM INSTALLATION HOW TO CONNECT FRONT PANEL CONTROLS USING THE PUSHBUTTONS PERFORMANCE LIMITS PERFORMANCE CHARTS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION BLOCK DIAGRAM 4 5 6, 7 8, 9, 10 11, 12, 13 14 15 16, 17 18, 19 20, 21 Your C 34V Audio/Video Control Center will give you many years of satisfactory performance. If you have any questions, please contact: CUSTOMER SERVICE Mclntosh Laboratory Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-9990 Phone: 607-723-3512 Take Advantage of 3 years of Contract Service... Fill in the Application NOW. MCINTOSH THREE YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT An application for A THREE YEAR SERVICE CONTRACT is included with this manual. The terms of the contract are: 1. If the instrument covered by this contract becomes defective, Mclntosh will provide all parts, materials, and labor needed to return the measured performance of the instrument to the original performance limits free of any charge. The service contract does not cover any shipping costs to and from the authorized service agency or the factory. 2. Any McIntosh authorized service agency will repair all Mclntosh instruments at normal service rates. To receive the free service under the terms of the service contract, the service contract cer- tificate must accompany the instrument when taken to the service agency. 3. Always have service done by a Mclntosh authorized service agency. If the instrument is modified or damaged as a result of unauthorized repair the service contract will be cancelled. Damage by improper use or mishandling is not covered by the service contract. 4. The service contract is issued to you as the original purchaser. To protect you from misrepresentation this contract cannot be transferred to a second owner. 5. Units in operation outside the United States and Canada are not covered by the Mclntosh Factory Service Contract, irrespective of the place of purchase. Nor are units acquired outside the USA and Canada, the purchasers of which should consult with their dealer to ascertain what, if any, service contract or warranty may be available locally. 2

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fects the program selected by the RECORD selector. These jacks are used to add a noise reduction or any audio signal processing device. Be sure to match the left to left and right to right channels when connecting external processors. The EXTERNAL PROCESSOR jacks have switching contacts which allow the signal to pass through them when there is nothing plugged into the jacks, When an external processor is used, the program is routed to the external processor from the EXTER- NAL PROCESSOR TO jack and back by the EXTER- NAL PROCESSOR FROM jack. WHEN AN EXTERNAL PROCESSOR IS USED, IT MUST BE TURNED ON FOR THE PROGRAM TO BE HEARD THROUGH THE SYSTEM. 9. AUDIO OUTPUT: The third field of connectors are marked AUDIO OUTPUT. Three sets of jacks (VCR 1/TAPE 1, VCR 2/TAPE 2, and TAPE 3) connect the program selected by the RECORD input selector. The MAIN set of jacks connect the program selected by the LISTEN input selector and connect to the power amplifier. Output to the two sets of jacks (SWITCH- ED 1 and SWITCHED 2) controlled by the front panel SPEAKER/OUTPUT 1 and 2 pushbuttons can be con- nected to additional power amplifiers for remote area listening. The Left MAIN jack is to be connected to the amplifier left input jack. The Right MAIN jack is to be connected to the amplifier right input jack. Two additional stereo power amplifiers may be connected in the same fashion to the SWITCHED OUTPUT jacks. Audio output signal is supplied to these jacks only when the front panel pushbutton SPEAKER/OUTPUT 1 and/or 2 pushbuttons are pressed in. This arrangement is useful to turn the program on or off to its separate amplifiers and loudspeakers. 10. MONITOR AMPLIFIER: The MONITOR AMPLIFIER provides power to headphones. It may also be used to drive speakers. The MONITOR AMPLIFIER will furnish 20 watts per channel across 8 ohms or 12.6 volts RMS to a 600 ohm line. For operation, see MONITOR AMPLIFIER page 13. The input to the MONITOR AMPLIFIER can be selected from either the RECORD program, the LISTEN program, or from a third source connected to the EXTernal INPUT jacks on the rear panel. The input selector switch is on the top panel of the C 34V. The EXTernal INPUT May be used for program sources not originating in the C 34V. One use could be to connect the output of a time delay device for back channel speakers. The output of the MONITOR AMPLIFIER is fed to the front panel HEADPHONE phone jacks, to the red and black posicontact push connectors and to the jacks marked OUTPUT. Connect the left speaker lead to the black COMmon push connector and the red L terminal. Connect the right speaker lead to the black COMmon push connector and the red R terminal. The OUTPUT jacks can be connected to drive a low impedance (8 to 600 W) unbalanced line. 11. GROUND: The ground (GND) post on the rear panel is pro- vided primarily for a turntable or record changer that has a separate ground lead in addition to the signal leads. 12. AC POWER: Plug the preamplifier AC power cord into a 120 volt 60 Hz wall outlet. The plug blades are polariz- ed so be certain the plug is fully inserted in the outlet to prevent blade exposure. CAUTION: TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT USE THE (POLARIZED) PLUG ON THIS UNIT WITH AN EXTENSION CORD, RECEPTACLE, OR OTHER OUTLET UNLESS THE BLADES CAN BE FULLY INSERTED TO PREVENT BLADE EXPOSURE. Three types of AC power outlets are provided on the back panel of the C 34V. Three are black, two are red, and one is green. The black outlets are switched on or off when the C 34V is turned on and off. Use these to provide AC power to amplifiers, CD players, or other accessories. The power capacity of all the outlets, totalled, is 1440 watts. The green outlet has a maximum capacity of 100 watts. For power consumption above 1440 watts, it is necessary to add a Mclntosh SCR 2 (SPEAKER CONTROL RELAY). The SCR 2 has two AC power outlets that provide additional capacity of 1800 watts switched on or off by the C 34V. Use these outlets to supply AC power to amplifiers or other components whenever the total load to be switched exceeds the C 34V rating of 1440 watts. The red outlets are on at all times and are used with accessories that have their own power switches. For example, a VCR should be plugged into one of these outlets for it to be able to record TV programs when the main audio system is turned off. HOW TO CONNECT 9

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expander or as a compressor. Expansion can restore the dynamic range limited by the process of record- ing both records and tape or broadcasting of music. Compression decreases dynamic range. It can be used for making tape recordings or for listening to background music. The Compandor can be switched to either the RECORD or LISTEN lines, by means of the COMPANDOR pushbutton. The Compandor System has four controls. The concentric three-position COMPANDOR switch and RATIO control are located on the front panel. The LEVEL MATCH control and SPEED selector are lo- cated on the C 34V top panel. COMPANDOR SELECTOR The outer COMPANDOR knob can be set to EX- PAND, OFF, or COMPRESS. When the COMPAN- DOR switch is in EXPAND or COMPRESS, a red light will appear above the LISten-or RECord COM- PANDOR pushbutton. In the center OFF position, the Compandor System is switched out of the circuit and the lights will be out. When the Compandor is not used, the selector should be placed in the OFF position. RATIO CONTROL The inner RATIO knob is used to control the amount of expansion or compression. LEVEL MATCH The LEVEL MATCH control on the top panel is used to adjust the listening level when the expander or compressor is switched in or out of the circuit. SPEED The SPEED selector on the top panel is used to control the rate at which the Compandor System re- sponds to signals. By switching from FAST to NOR- MAL to SLOW, a more gradual rate of change in ex- pansion or compression occurs. For music with per- cussive instruments, such as piano, drums, guitar, etc., use NORMAL or FAST. In the FAST mode, the Compandor System follows changes quickly but will track low frequencies less accurately. Non- percussive music and voice require slower speed. At SLOW speed the low frequency tracking is ac- curate, but the rate of response is slower. The NOR- MAL position is best suited for most program material. USING THE COMPANDOR AS AN EXPANDER When the COMPANDOR selector switch is in the EXPAND position, the RATIO control is used to select the amount of expansion. Full counterclock- wise rotation corresponds to a ratio of 1.0. This means that the dynamic range of the expander out- put is the same as the dynamic range of its input. With the VOLUME control at a normal listening level, the RATIO control is turned clockwise, the output dynamic range becomes greater than the in- put. Set the RATIO control to the desired expansion (usually between 1.2 and 1.5). Now switch the COMPANDOR selector knob between EXPAND and OFF. A change in the average listening level will usually be heard. Adjust the LEVEL MATCH (on the top panel) control until the average listening levels match as closely as possible when in EXPAND and OFF. After this adjustment, you will notice that with the expander on, loud passages will be louder and soft passages will be softer tending to make any background noise quieter. When the RATIO control is at the fully clockwise position, it corresponds to a ratio of 2.0. The output dynamic range is then twice the input dynamic range. This setting is extreme for most program material. USING THE COMPANDOR AS A COMPRESSOR When the COMPANDOR selector switch is in the COMPRESS position, the RATIO control is used to select the reduction in dynamic range desired. Full counterclockwise rotation corresponds to a ratio of 1.0. The compressor output and input dynamic range will be the same. Set the VOLUME control to a normal listening level. As the RATIO control is turned clockwise, the output dynamic range be- comes less than the input range. Set the RATIO control to the desired amount of compression. Switch the COMPANDOR selector knob between COMPRESS and OFF. A change in the average lis- tening level will usually be heard. Adjust the LEVEL MATCH control until the average listening levels match as closely as possible when switching be- tween COMPRESS and OFF. After this adjustment, you will notice that with COMPRESS on, loud passages will be softer and soft passages will be louder. When the RATIO control is at the fully clockwise position it corresponds to a ratio of 2.0. The output dynamic range is then one half of the input range. This setting can be useful to create highly compress- ed tape recordings particularly useful in noisy loca- tions such as automobiles, etc. Two examples for using the expander are: 1. To reduce background noise (hum, hiss or scratch): a. Select the desired program source with the 12 FRONT PANEL CONTROLS