McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York MA7900 Integrated Amplifier Owner’s Manual 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. WARNING - TO REDUCE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENT TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS! PLEASE READ THEM BEFORE OPERATING THIS EQUIPMENT. 1. Read these instructions. 2. Keep these instructions. 3.
Thank You Customer Service Your decision to own this McIntosh MA7900 Integrated Amplifier ranks you at the very top among discriminating music listeners. You now have the best. The McIntosh dedication to precision performance assures many years of musical enjoyment. Please take a short time to read the information in this manual. We want you to be as familiar as possible with all the features and functions of your new McIntosh.
General Information, Connector and Cable Information General Information 1. For additional connection information, refer to the owner’s manual(s) for any component(s) connected to the MA7900. 2. Apply AC Power to the MA7900 and other McIntosh Component(s) 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.
Introduction and Performance Features Introduction Now you can take advantage of traditional McIntosh standards of excellence in the MA7900 Integrated Amplifier. The Power Amplifier section of the MA7900, with a power output of 200 watts per channel, will drive a pair of quality Loudspeakers to a high level of performance. The flexible Preamplifier section provides connections for various input sources and may also be used to drive an external Power Amplifier(s).
Dimensions Dimensions The following dimensions can assist in determining the best location for your MA7900. There is additional information on the next page pertaining to installing the MA7900 into cabinets. Front View of the MA7900 17-1/2" 44.5cm 0 0 40 40 7 -1/8" 18.1cm 7 -5/8" 19.4cm Side View of the MA7900 18-3/4" 47.6cm 16-1/2" 41.9cm 3/16" 0.5cm Rear View of the MA7900 29/32" 1.8cm 16-1/16" 40.8cm 13" 33cm 1-5/8" 6" 15.2cm 12-3/16" 31cm 6 4.1cm 1" 2.5cm 6-1/4" 15.
Installation Installation The MA7900 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 bottom of the MA7900 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 MA7900 is removed from the custom installation and used free standing.
MA7900 Rear Panel Connections Rear Panel Connections The identification of Rear Panel Connections for the MA7900 Integrated Amplifier is located on a separate folded sheet contained in the Owner’s Manual Packet. Refer to separate sheet “Mc1A” for the Rear Panel Connections.
Connecting Components Connecting Components The MA7900 has the ability to automatically switch power On/Off to McIntosh Source Components via the Power Control (Trigger) connections. The Data Port Connections allow for the remote operation of basic functions using the MA7900 Remote Control. With an external sensor connected to the MA7900, remote control operation of the system is possible from another room and/or when the MA7900 is located in a cabinet with the doors closed.
Passthru Connections Passthru Connections The MA7900 can be part of a Multichannel Sound System for SACD, DVD-Audio and Home Theater. The Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/ Video Control Center can “Passthru” the MA7900. In the following example the SRVR Input will become the “Passthru” input: 1. Connect Audio Cables from the A/V Control Center Front Left and Right Channel Outputs to the MA7900 SRVR Input Left and Right Jacks. 2.
Connecting for Bi-Amplification Connecting for Bi-Amplification The MA7900’s Power Amplifier, 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 MA7900 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.
Output Terminals When connecting the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables to the MA7900 Amplifier Output Terminals please follow the steps below: 1. Rotate the top of the Output Terminal Post counterclockwise until an opening appears. Refer to figures A and B. 2. Insert the Loudspeaker hookup cable into the Output Terminal Opening Post opening or the cable spade Figure B Figure A lug around the center post of the Output Terminal. Refer to figure C. 3.
Connecting Loudspeakers 5. Connect the MA7900 power cord to an active AC outlet. Spade Lug or Wire Connections: 6. Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables to the MA7900 Negative Output Terminal and Positive Output Terminal indentified as 2Ω (ohms), 4Ω (ohms) or 8Ω (ohms) connection to match the impedance of the Loudspeaker, being careful to observe the correct polarities.
Remote Control Push-Buttons LED illuminates during the time a remote command is sent to the MA7900 Switches the Trigger 1 and/or 2 Power Control Jack(s) On/Off, refer to “Setup, Power Control TRIG 1 and TRIG 2” on page 20 for additional information Selects a Disc Player, Music Server or Recorder Function. Seek Stations Up or Down the AM/FM Dial.
How to use the Remote Control How to use the Remote Control The supplied HR072 Remote Control is capable of directly controlling the functions of contemporary Source Components connected to the MA7900 via the Data Ports. Notes: 1. If at any time the MA7900 seems unresponsive to HR072 Remote Control Commands press the Push-button first. 2. For additional information on using the HR072 Remote Control with the MA7900, please refer to the “How to Operate” section of this Owner’s Manual starting on page 24.
INPUT Control allows the selection of various sources for listening and recording. TRIM allows selection of various types of audio settings.
Setup How to Operate the Setup Mode Your McIntosh MA7900 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 Display.
Firmware Version Source Input Reassignment The MA7900 functionality is controlled by internal software that is know as Firmware. The MA7900 has two different Firmwares, one is the “System Firmware” (responsible for the basic operation of the MA7900) and the other known as USB Audio Firmware (responsible for the “USB Connection and Conversion” of a Digital Audio Signal from the Computer). The Version of the Firmwares in the MA7900 can be identified at any time by utilizing the Setup Mode. 1.
Setup, con’t Input and Power Control Settings Input Name Connection Type New Level (Trim) Triggers 1 2 2. Press and hold the VOLUME Control until the character “A” of the name AUX starts flashing. Refer to figure 9. SETUP: SOURCE NAME AUX >> SAVED Figure 14 SETUP: SOURCE NAME AUX >> AUX TUNER CD CD2 Figure 9 3. Rotate the VOLUME Control until the character “M” appears. Refer to figure 10.
Passthru The MA7900 can be part of a Multichannel Sound System for SACD, DVD-Audio and Home Theater. The Right and Left Front Channels from an Audio/ Video Control Center or Surround Decoder can “Passthru” the Preamplifier Circuitry of the MA7900, and then on to the Power Amplifier Circuitry of the MA7900. The Setup Mode allows the activation of the Passthru Mode and the selection of the specified MA7900 Input Source.
Setup, con’t Comm Port Baud Rate 7. Press the VOLUME Control repeatedly until the Source Input Menu item “SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT, Source: TUNER OFF” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 22. SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT Source: Tuner OFF Figure 22 8. Rotate the VOLUME Control until “SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT, Source: TUNER ON” appears. Refer to figure 23. SETUP: TRIG1 OUTPUT Source: Tuner ON Figure 23 9.
Remote Control Codes The Remote Control included with the MA7900 utilizes the NORMal McIntosh Control Codes. The Second Set of Control Codes the MA7900 will respond to is referred to as the ALTernate Codes. When the MA7900 is used in the same location as another McIntosh Preamplifier and/or A/V Control Center, the ALTernate Codes are used. This will prevent the Remote Control from affecting the operation of both units at the same time.
How to Operate the MA7900 Power On and Off The Red LED above the STANDBY/ON Push-button lights to indicate the MA7900 is in Standby mode. To switch ON the MA7900, Press the STANDBY/ON Push-button on the Front Panel or press the (Power) Push-button on the Remote Control. The MA7900 will go through a brief startup intialization with the Front Panel Displays indicating Power Guard is active, last used source and volume setting.
How to Operate the MA7900 ume levels in each Loudspeaker. To adjust the Balance perform the following: 1. Press the TRIM Push-button repeatedly on the Remote Control until “BALANCE 0 dB” appears on the Front Panel Display. Refer to figure 54. BALANCE: || 0 dB Figure 54 Note: The Front Panel INPUT/TRIM Control may also be used. 2.
How to Operate the MA7900, con’t all have the same relative volume levels. Record any changes made to the various inputs from the default settings in the “Input and Power Control Settings” chart on page 19. After approximately 5 seconds the Display returns to indicate the Source Selection and Volume Level. MONO/STEREO MODE By default the Stereo Mode is active for all Input Sources however, any Input Source may be assigned to Mono Mode.
How to Operate the MA7900, con’t DIGITAL AUDIO DISPLAY By default the Digital Audio Display is switched Off. To display information about the type of digital signal present when any one of the three digital inputs is selected, perform the following steps: 1. Select one of the Inputs assigned to an active digital source. Note: The USB-D/A Input may also be selected when the MA7900 is connected to a computer. 2.
How to Operate the MA7900, con’t Power Output Meters The MA7900 Power Output Meters indicate the power delivered to the Loudspeakers. Refer to figure 70. 0 40 Figure 70 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 2,000Hz tone burst. Power Guard During normal operation, the Front Panel Power Guard Indicators will momentarily illuminate during peaks in the audio signals.
How to Operate the MA7900, con’t Fundamental Frequencies of Acoustical Musical Instruments and the Human Voice the Front Panel OUTPUT 2 Push-button or press on the Remote Control the 2nd Push-button followed by pressing the OUTPUT 2 Push-button to switch On or Off the external Power Amplifier.
How to Operate the MA7900, con’t Optical and Coaxial Digital Inputs When a Digital Input (Optical or Coaxial Connection) on the MA7900 is selected the Front Panel Display will indicate when a signal is present “2CH PCM”. Refer to figure 74. During the time there is no Digital SOURCE: CD 15% 2CH PCM Figure 74 Signal present the display will indicate “SILENT”. Refer to figure 75.
How to Operate the MA7900, con’t and Photos 31
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MA7900 Amplifier Specifications Amplifier Specifications Power Output 200 watts is the minimum sine wave continuous average power output per channel, both channels operating Output Load Impedance 2, 4 or 8 ohms Rated Power Band 20Hz to 20,000Hz Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005% maximum with both channels operating from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz Dynamic Headroom 2.0dB Intermodulation Distortion 0.
MA7900 General Specifications General Specifications Power Requirements Field AC Voltage conversion of the MA7900 is not possible. The MA7900 is factory configured for one of the following AC Voltages: 100 Volts, 50/60Hz at 5.2 amps 110 Volts, 50/60Hz at 4.4 amps 120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 4.4 amps 220 Volts, 50/60Hz at 2.45 amps 230 Volts, 50/60Hz at 2.35 amps 240 Volts, 50/60Hz at 2.25 amps Standby: Less than 0.25 watt Note: Refer to the rear panel of the MA7900 for the correct voltage.
Packing Instructions Packing Instructions MA7900 Packing Material List 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 #10 x 2-1/2 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.
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.