McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
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.
Thank You from all of us at McIntosh Table of Contents You have invested in a precision instrument that will provide you with many years of enjoyment. Please take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the features and instructions to get the maximum performance from your equipment. If you need further technical assistance, please contact your dealer who may be more familiar with your particular setup including other brands.
General Information 1. The C12000 System consists of two separate chassis; a “Controller” and a “Preamplifier”. When specific clarification is necessary for instruction, the separate chassis will be referenced individually with their corresponding names. Otherwise, “C12000” will be used to reference the unit as a whole. 2. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the C12000 Audio Preamplifier. 3.
Introduction The McIntosh C12000 Preamplifier is one of the finest ever created. The Outputs have the ability to drive multiple Power Amplifiers with the versatility of choosing between any combination of Solid State and Tube amplification. The C12000 Audio Reproduction is sonically transparent and absolutely accurate. The McIntosh Sound is “The Sound of the Music Itself.
Dimensions - C12000 Controller The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your C12000 Controller. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C12000 Controller into cabinets. Front View of the C12000 Controller 17-1/2” 44.5cm INPUT VOLUME C 1 2 0 0 0 C ON T R OL L ER 5- 3/8” Balanced 1 70% TRIM MUTE SETUP 13.7cm ADJUST 6” Side View of the C12000 Controller 15.2cm STANDBY / ON 17- 3/8” MENU 44.1cm RESET 15-1/8” 38.
17-3/16" Installation - C12000 Controller 43.66cm Opening for Ventilation C12000 Controller Front Panel Custom Cabinet Cutout INPUT VOLUME C1 2 0 0 0 Balanced 1 70% TRIM SETUP 10-3/4" 27.3cm C ON T R OL L ER MUTE ADJUST STANDBY / ON MENU RESET Cabinet Front Panel Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting 6" Cabinet Front Panel 15.
Dimensions - C12000 Preamplifier The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your C12000 Preamplifier. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the C12000 Preamplifier into cabinets. Front View of the C12000 Preamplifier 17-1/2” 44.5cm C12000 P R E A M P L IF IE R 5- 3/8” 13.7cm 6” Side View of the C12000 Preamplifier 15.2cm 17- 3/8” 44.1cm 15-1/8” 38.4cm 3/16” 0.5cm Rear View of the C12000 Preamplifier 17” 10- 9/16” 43.
17-3/16" Installation - C12000 Preamplifier 43.66cm Opening for Ventilation C12000 Preamplifier Front Panel Custom Cabinet Cutout C12000 Cabinet Front Panel 10-3/4" 27.3cm P R E A M P L IF IE R Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting 6" Cabinet Front Panel 15.2cm Opening for Ventilation C12000 Preamplifier Side View in Custom Cabinet Cutout Opening for Ventilation Support Shelf C12000 Preamplifier Bottom View in Custom Cabinet Note: Center the cutout Horizontally on the unit.
Navigating the Rear Panel (Controller) 1CR 7CR 1CR POWER CONTROL TRIGger outputs 1 thru 4 are assignable to send turn On/Off signals to components 2CR POWER CONTROL OUT 1 and 2 send turn On/Off signals to a McIntosh Component when Output 1 and 2 are activated 3CR POWER CONTROL MAIN Output sends turn On/Off signals to a McIntosh Component when the C12000 Controller is switched On/Off 4CR IR INput for signals from a compatible IR Sensor for Remote Control use 5CR DATA PORTS are assignable to send signals t
Navigating the Rear Panel (Preamp) 2PR 3PR 4PR 5PR 6PR 7PR 8PR 1PR 9PR 10PR 15PR 11PR 1PR RIGHT OUTPUT MAIN (Unbalanced) sends signals to a Power Amplifier - Can be configued to use Solid State or Tube amplification (see Page 29) 2PR RIGHT OUTPUT Balanced send signals to Power Amplifier(s) and are switched On/Off using a trim setting with the Front Panel Controls or Remote Control Push-Buttons - Output 1 (1-SS) uses Solid State amplification, Output 2 (2-T) uses Tube Amplification 3PR RIGHT BALA
Connecting Components The C12000 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to Source Components via the Power Control connections. The Data Port Connections allow for the remote operation of basic functions using the included HR085 Remote Control. With an external sensor connected to the C12000, remote control operation of the system is possible from another room and/or when the C12000 is located in a cabinet with the doors closed.
Preamplifier OUTPUT 1 connectors (Left and Right Channels) to the Power Amplifiers (Primary Room) Balanced (Left and Right) Inputs. 20. Optionally, connect XLR Audio Cables from the C12000 Preamplifier OUTPUT 2 connectors (Left and Right Channels) to the Power Amplifier (Secondary Room) Balanced (Left and Right) Inputs. 21. Connect any additional McIntosh Components in a similar manner, as outlined in steps 14 thru 19. Optional PASSTHRU Connections: 22.
Navigating the Remote Control 1 24 2 3 4 23 22 21 5 20 6 1. Switch Device: Select different devices for remote operation. Selected device is indicated by the LED light when buttons are pressed. 14. Fast Forward/Seek Up: Navigate forward through the current active media using this button. This is also used to adjust the tuner upwards. 2. Numbers: You can select tuner presets and manually enter disc tracks and radio stations – among other numerical functions – using these buttons. 15.
Front Panels 1C INPUT Control - used to select a source for listening and recording.
Controller Connection Diagram - Input and Control Connection Legend: Data Cable* Sensor/Keypad Cable Power Control Cable* Loudspeaker Cable Turntable with Moving Coil Cartridge Digital Signal Cable Ground Wire Audio Signal Cable * 2 conductor shielded with 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug on each end. Media Bridge IR Sensor AM/FM Tuner To C12000 Preamplifier Right Input To C12000 Preamplifier Left Input SACD/CD Player Digital Audio Player WLAN ANT 1 MCD550 SACD/CD PLAYER McINTOSH LABORATORY, INC.
Connection Legend: Data Cable* Sensor/Keypad Cable Power Control Cable* Loudspeaker Cable Turntable with Moving Coil Car tridge Digital Signal Cable Ground Wire Audio Signal Cable * 2 conductor shielded with 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug on each end. Media Bridge AM/FM Tuner From C12000 Controller Right Output From C12000 Controller Left Output SACD/CD Player Digital Audio Player WLAN ANT 1 WLAN ANT 2 MCD550 SACD/CD PLAYER McINTOSH LABORATORY, INC.
Preamplifier Connection Diagram - Output Connections Connection Legend: Data Cable* Sensor/Keypad Cable Power Control Cable* Loudspeaker Cable Digital Signal Cable Ground Wire Audio Signal Cable RS232 Cable * 2 conductor shielded with 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug on each end. Power Amplifier - Secondary Room Power Amplifier - Primary Room Right Loudspeaker System Left Loudspeaker System 6.
Preamplifier Connection Diagram - Passthru Connections Connection Legend: Data Cable* Sensor/Keypad Cable Power Control Cable* Loudspeaker Cable A/V Processor Digital Signal Cable Ground Wire Audio Signal Cable * 2 conductor shielded with 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug on each end.
How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh C12000 has been factory configured for default operating settings that will allow immediate enjoyment of superb audio without the need for further adjustments. If you wish to make changes to the factory default settings, a Setup Feature is provided to customize the operating settings using the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to the C12000 Front Panel Illustration on Page 15 while performing the following steps.
9. To switch the Unabalanced 4 Input On, rotate the ADJUST Control until the display indicates SETUP: Unbalanced 4, On/Name (Hold SETUP)”. Refer to figure 4 on Page 20. 10. Exit the SETUP Mode by pressing the SETUP Push-button. RENAME INPUT: In the following example, the Balanced 1 Input will be renamed to match up with the component connected. The C12000 Default Input Names as indicated on the Front Panel Display can be customized to a different name up to 12 characters long (TUNER, CD PLAYER, etc.).
Output Settings Note: Output 1 (1-SS) uses Solid State amplification, Output 2 (2-T) uses Tube amplification. The Output Settings provide the ability to change how the C12000 Output 1 and Output 2 function. OUTPUT 1 and 2: By defaut OUTPUT 1 and 2 are set to go On/Off by using the Front Panel TRIM and ADJUST Controls or the OUTPUT 1 and 2 Push-buttons on the Remote Control. If it is desirable to have OUTPUT 1 and/or 2 always On regardless of the TRIM setting, perform the following: 1.
SETUP: TRIGGER 1 Main Figure 30 3. Rotate the ADJUST Control to select Output 1 from the available additional selections including Output 2 or Input. Refer to figure 31. SETUP: TRIGGER 1 Output 1 Figure 31 4. To change the Trigger 2 setting from Main to OUTPUT 2, first rotate the INPUT Control to select TRIGGER 2. Then Rotate the ADJUST Control to select Output 2. Refer to figure 32.
1. Press the SETUP Push-button to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2.. 2. Rotate the TRIM Control until “SETUP: Passthru, Off” appears on the Information Display. Refer to figure 39. SETUP: Passthru Off Figure 39 3. Rotate the ADJUST Control to select “Balanced 6” Input. Refer to figure 40. SETUP: Passthru Balanced 6 Figure 40 4. Exit the SETUP Mode by pressing the SETUP Push-button.
Auto Off Feature perform the following steps: 1. Press the SETUP Push-button to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2. 2. Rotate the TRIM Control until “SETUP: Auto Off, Enabled” appears on the Information Display. Refer to figure 46. SETUP: Auto-Off Enabled Figure 46 3. Rotate the ADJUST Control to select Disabled. Refer to figure 47. SETUP: Auto Off Disabled Figure 47 4. Exit the SETUP Mode by pressing the SETUP Push-button.
BALANCE Listening balance varies with different program sources, room acoustics and listening positions relative to the Loudspeakers. Use the Balance (Trim Function) as needed to achieve approximately equal listening volume levels in each Loudspeaker. To adjust the Balance perform the following: 1. Press the TRIM Push-button repeatedly on the Remote Control until “L BALANCE R” appears on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 53. Note: The Front Panel TRIM and ADJUST Controls may also be used.
switched On or Off by performing the following: 1. Select “METER LIGHTS, On” as indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 63. METER LIGHTS On Figure 63 2. Switch Off the Meter Illumination. Refer to figure 64. METER LIGHTS Off Figure 64 After approximately 10 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level. Notes: 1.
PHONO ADJUSTMENTS The Remote Control TRIM and LEVEL UP / DOWNPush-buttons may also be used. Approximately 10 seconds after Trim Function Selection and/or adjustments have stopped, the C12000 will switch the Trim Mode Off. Refer to figure 74. Adjust The Front Panel ADJUST Control is used to make changes to the currently selected TRIM FUNCTION. The Front Panel Controls and Push-buttons are deactived when in the Passthru Mode.
Phono 1 CAP 100 pF Figure 76 3. Rotate the ADJUST Control to select desired Capacitance. The available settings are: 50pF, 100pF, 150pF, 200pF, 250pF, 300pF, 350pF, and 400pF. After approximately 10 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Settings. GAIN To change the Amplification Gain Settings from the default setting for the selected Phono Input, perform the following Steps: 1. Select the desired PHONO Input Source. Note: Phono 1 was selected for this example. 2.
Specifications Frequency Response +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005% maximun from 20Hz to 20,000Hz (High Level Inputs) 0.05% maximun from 20Hz to 20,000Hz (Phono Inputs) Rated Output 5V Balanced, 2.5V Unbalanced (Main Outputs) Maximum Voltage Output 20V RMS Balanced, 10V RMS Unbalanced Sensitivity (for rated output) High Level, 450mV Unbalanced, 900mV Balanced Phono 1 & 2, 0.25mV - 4.
Packing Instructions In the event it is necessary to repack the equipment for shipment, the equipment must be packed exactly as shown below. It is very important that the four plastic feet are attached to the bottom of the equipment. This will ensure the proper equipment location on the bottom pad. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage. Use the original shipping carton and interior parts only if they are all in good serviceable condition.
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, NY 13903 www.mcintoshlabs.com The continuous improvement of its products is the policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who reserve the right to improve design without notice. Printed in the U.S.A. McIntosh Part No.