McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York MA12000 Integrated Amplifier Owner’s Manual 13903-2699 Phone: 607-723-3512 www.mcintoshlabs.
Important Safety Information is supplied in a separate document “Important Additional Operation Information Guide” Thank you from all of us at McIntosh With the MA12000 Intergrated Amplifier, 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.
Table of Contents Thank you from all of us at McIntosh �������������������� 2 Make a Note ������������������������������������������������������������ 2 Trademark and License Information ���������������������� 3 General Information ����������������������������������������������� 4 Connector and Cable Information ������������������������� 4 Introduction ������������������������������������������������������������ 5 Performance Features ��������������������������������������������� 5 Dimensions �������������
General Information 1. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MA12000. 2. Apply AC Power to the MA12000 and other McIntosh Components only after all the system components are connected together. Failure to do so may cause a malfunction of system operations as the Microprocessor’s Circuitry inside the components is active when AC Power is applied. 3. The MA12000 includes a Power Mode Auto Off Feature and the default setting is enabled.
Introduction Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh standards of excellence in the MA12000 Integrated Amplifier. The Power Amplifier section of the MA12000, with a power output of 350 watts per channel, will drive a pair of quality Loudspeakers to a high level of performance. The flexible Preamplifier section features four AX7A Tubes and provides connections for various input sources and may also be used to drive an external Power Amplifier(s).
Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MA12000. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MA12000 into cabinets. Front View of the MA12000 17-1/2" 44.5cm WAT T S 3.5 35 .35 m - 50 m - 30 - 40 WAT T S 3.5 - 20 35 350 -10 70 3.5 35 .35 m m 0 - 50 0 - 40 3.5 - 20 - 30 35 350 -10 DECIBELS DECIBELS POWER OUTPUT POWER OUTPUT MA12000 INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER IN PU T 50 25 100 200 400 1 0 8-13/16" 22.
Installation The MA12000 can be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its four feet. It also can be custom installed in a piece of furniture or cabinet of your choice. The four feet may be removed from the MA12000 when it is custom installed as outlined below. The four feet, together with the mounting screws, should be retained for possible future use if the MA12000 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
Rear Panel Connections OPTICAL 1 & 2 Digital Inputs COAX 1 & 2 Digital Coaxial Inputs RS232 connector for connection to a computer or other control device POWER CONTROL OUTPUTS IR INput for signals (Triggers) send power On/Off signals from a compatible IR to a McIntosh Component when the Room Sensor MA12000 is switched On/Off HDMI (ARC) Input USB Audio SERVICE PORT for Input Type B service use only Right Loudspeaker Binding Posts: Positive 8 Ohm Positive 4 Ohm Positive 2 Ohm Negative R OUTPUT 8Ω McI
Making Connections Phono/Unbalanced Inputs Unbalanced Inputs such as the two PHONO INPUTS and UNBALANCED INPUTS 1 through 6 use RCA/phono cables (see Figure 01) to connect the MA12000 to other components. Traditionally, the red connector is used to connect the right channel. You are free to break tradition but keep the channels straight or left and right might be reversed.
front IR can be turned on/off by doing the following: • Press and Hold the Left Knob for two seconds • Turn the Left Knob to the menu choice “SETUP: Front IR” • Turn the Right Knob clockwise for Enabled (on) or counterclockwise (off) • Press and release the Left Knob to exit the Setup menu AC Power This connection is essential. Plug the female end of the supplied AC Power Cord into the AC connector (standard 15 ampere IEC) located in the rear right corner of the MA12000.
Headphones HDMI (ARC) and CEC The MA12000 features High Drive Headphone Amplification. The output of the High Drive Headphone Amplification provides plenty of power with the flexibility to utilize a wide range of headphones types including high impedance headphones. Connect your headphones using a stereo ¼ inch plug to the HEADPHONES jack on the right of the INPUT Knob. The initial volume of the headphones will be the last volume used for headphones with a startup limit of 70.
USB The USB input of the MA12000 provides the capability to play music from a connected computer. Software Requirements Apple® Macintosh® computers require OS-10.6.8 or later. Apple computers require no additional driver install to communicate with the MA12000. For Windows-based computers (PC), Windows 7 (SP1) or later is required. The correct McIntosh USB Audio driver must be installed for the PC to communicate with the MA12000.
Passthru Example The MA12000 can be part of a Multichannel Sound System for BLU-RAY Audio, DVD Audio and Home Theater Movies. The Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/Video Control Center can “Passthru” the MA12000. In the following example the UNBALANCED 6 Input will become the “Passthru” input: 1. Connect Audio Cables from the A/V Processor FL (Front Left) and FR (Front Right) Channel Outputs to the MA12000 UNBALANCED Number 6 INPUTS Left and Right Jacks. 2.
Connecting for Bi-Amplification The MA12000 Power Amplifier Circuitry, together with an additional separate Power Amplifier, may be used to Bi-Amplify a Loudspeaker System. In the illustration on this page, the Power Amplifier of the MA12000 is connected to the Midrange/High Frequency Section of the Loudspeaker. The additional separate Power Amplifier is connected to the Low Frequency Section of the Loudspeaker System.
Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts When connecting the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables to the MA12000 Amplifier Binding Posts please follow the steps below: 1. Rotate the top of the Binding Post counterclockwise until an opening appears. Refer to figures A and B. Opening 2. Insert the Loudspeaker hookup cable into the Binding Figure A Figure B Post opening or the cable spade lug around the center post. Refer to figure C. 3. Rotate the top of the Binding Post clockwise until it is finger tight. Refer to figure D.
prepared section of the cable end into the terminal side access hole, and tighten the terminal cap until the cable is firmly clamped into the Binding Post so the lugs or wire cannot slip out. Refer to figures L and M. Figure L Figure M If the Loudspeaker’s impedance is in-between the available connections, use the nearest lower impedance connection. Note: The impedance of a Loudspeaker actually varies as the Loudspeaker reproduces different frequencies.
Remote Control Diagram LEDs illuminate when sending a remote command and when programming the remote control Select the DEVICE to select the target for the remote control’s commands SETUP Push-button is used as a “Shift Key” to select a function with blue color nomenclature Selects AM Tuner Operating Functions, select Output 1 when used with the SETUP/shift Push-button and Track Selection on certain McIntosh CD Players Press the Trim Push-button and then the LEVEL UP Push-button to select and adjust various
Trim Functions and Settings The Trim Functions allow you to make changes quickly to many different settings. To access the Trim Menus: • Press and release the Left (INPUT) Knob • Navigate by turning the Left Knob • Change settings by turning the Right (VOLUME) Knob or use the Remote Control as described “How to use the Remote Control” on page 16.
INPUT Control used to select a source for listening and recording. The control is also used to enter the TRIM or SETUP Modes and select the various functions Two left Tubes will glow amber when the Left Channel Amplifier POWER GUARD circuit activates and during Tube Warmup.
How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh MA12000 has been factory configured to 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 MA12000 Front Panel Illustration on the previous page while performing the following steps. Note: If the MA12000 is currently On, proceed to step 2. 1.
In the following example, the UNBAL 4 Input will be switched Off. Note: When an INPUT is swiched Off, its name will no longer appear on the Front Panel Information Display when using the INPUT Control (Front Panel or Remote Control). 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE. 2. Rotate the INPUT Control until “SETUP: Inputs, (Hold INPUT)” appears on the Information Display. 3. Press and hold in the INPUT Control until “SETUP: UNBAL 4, On / Name (Hold INPUT)” appears on the Display.
Display. Refer to figure 18. SETUP: MEDIA SVR On / Rename Figure 18 19. Exit the SETUP Mode by several presses of the INPUT Control. Output Settings The Output Settings provide the ability to change how the MA12000 Output 1, Output 2 and Headphones function. OUTPUT 1 and 2: By default OUTPUT 1 and 2 are set to go On/Off by using the Front Panel OUTPUT 1 and 2 Push-buttons or by using the OUTPUT 1 and 2 Push-buttons on the Remote Control.
Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 By default the Power Control TRIGger 1 and TRIGger 2 are assigned to activate when Output 1 or Output 2 is selected. Triggers 1 and 2 can be reassigned to function the same as the MAIN Power Control Jack or be assigned to a given Input. Note: The MAIN Power Control Jack is controlled by the STANDBY/ON Front Panel Push-button and the Remote Control Power Push-buttons. In the first example, the Power Control Triggers 1 and 2 will be assigned to MAIN: 1.
Passthru Comm Port Baud Rate When the MA12000 is part of a Home Theater or Multichannel Audio System the Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/Video Processor or Surround Decoder can “Passthru” from the assigned MA12000 Input, into the MA12000 Power Amplifier Circurity. The “Passthru” Audio Signal is also available for a separate external Power Amplifier(s) via the number 1 Preamplifier Output Jacks.
Remote Control Codes IR Sensor Power Mode The HR085 Remote Control, included with the MA12000, utilizes the NORMAL McIntosh Control Codes. The second set of Control Codes the MA12000 will respond to is referred to as the ALTERNATE Codes. The Alternate Codes are used when the MA12000 is used in the same location as another McIntosh Preamplifier and/or A/V Processor. This will prevent the Remote Control from affecting the operation of both units at the same time.
Factory Reset Reset of Microprocessors If it becomes desirable to reset all the adjustable settings (Setup and Trim Settings) to the factory default values, perform the following steps: 1. Press and hold in the INPUT Control to enter the SETUP MODE. Refer to figure 2 on page 17. 2. Rotate the INPUT Control until “FACTORY RESET, (Hold INPUT)” appears on the In the unlikely event the controls of the MA12000 stop functioning, the microprocessors can be reset by performing the following: 1.
How to Operate the MA12000 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the MA12000 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the MA12000, Press the STANDBY/ ON Push-button on the Front Panel or press the (Power - Green) Push-button on the Remote Control. The MA12000 will go through a brief startup initialization with the Tubes glowing Amber. This is followed by the volume setting indication starting at zero and then increasing to the last used volume setting.
for a given Input Source, perform the following steps: Note: The audio signal present at the FIXED OUT Jacks is unaffected by the Equalizer settings. 1. Select the desired Input Source. 2. Select “EQUALIZER, Off” as indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. Refer to figure 57. EQUALIZER Off Figure 57 3. Set the EQUALIZER On for the desired Input by using the Front Panel Volume Control or the Remote Control Push-buttons may also be used to switch the Equalizer On. Refer to figure 58.
MONO / STEREO ____ Figure 64 After approximately 5 seconds the Information Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level. Meter Backlight The Front Panel Meter Illumination may be switched On or Off by performing the following: 1. Select “METER LIGHTS, On” as indicated on the Front Panel Information Display. See figure 65. METER LIGHTS On Figure 65 2. Switch Off the Meter Illumination. See figure 66. METER LIGHTS Off performing the following: 1.
Equalizer Press the Front Panel EQUALIZER Push-button to activate the MA12000 Equalizer Control Circuitry for the currently selected Input Source. The LED above the EQUALIZER Push-button will illuminate. The MA12000 remembers for each selected Input whether the Equalizer Control Circuitry is activated or deactivated. To deactivate the Equalizer Control Circuitry for the currently selected Input Source, press the EQUALIZER Push-button and the LED above the push-button will extinguish. Note: 1.
operation of the MA12000 from that room. With an external Power Amplifier connected (as illustrated on the McIntosh Connection Diagram separate sheet “Mc2B”), press the Front Panel OUTPUT 2 Push-button or press on the Remote Control, the BLUE (Setup) Push-button followed by pressing the OUTPUT 2 Push-button to switch On or Off the external Power Amplifier.
Equalizer Controls The MA12000 has eight signal strength controls that can pass through, amplify or attenuate each, all or any combination of the marked equalizer frequencies. Fundamental Frequencies of Acoustical Musical Instruments and the Human Voice SOPRANO CONTRALTO TENOR Equalization frequencies are set to 25Hz, 50Hz, 100Hz, 200Hz, 400Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,500Hz and 10,000Hz.
Maximum Input Signal High Level, 8V unbalanced, 16V balanced Phono MM, 80mV Phono MC, 8mV Preamplifier Specifications Total Harmonic Distortion 0.03% maximum 20Hz to 20,000Hz Voltage Gain High Level to Rec Output: 0dB High Level to Output 1 and 2: 15dB Phono MM to Rec Output: 40dB Phono MC to Rec Output: 60dB Phono MM to Output 1 and 2: 55dB Phono MC to Output 1 and 2: 75dB Headphone Impedance 100 to 600 ohms Intermodulation Distortion 0.
Digital Audio Specifications Digital Input Signal Format Coaxial and Optical Inputs - SPDIF (PCM) MCT and USB Inputs - PCM, DSD HDMI (ARC)- PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Input Sample Rate Optical: PCM - 16Bit, 24Bit - 44.1kHz to 192kHz Coaxial: PCM -16Bit, 24Bit - 44.1kHz to 192kHz MCT: PCM, SACD, -16Bit, 24Bit - 44.1kHz to 192kHz USB: PCM - 16Bit, 24Bit, 32Bit - 44.1kHz to 384kHz DXD - DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz DSD - DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512 HDMI: PCM 24bit, 44.
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. Two 1/4-20 x 2-1/4 inch screws and washers must be used to fasten the unit securely to the bottom pad and wood skid. This will ensure the proper equipment location on the bottom pad. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage.
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.