McIntosh Laboratory Inc MC830 Power Amplifier Owner’s Manual

: June 13, 2024
: McIntosh Laboratory Inc

Table of Contents

Thank you from all of us at McIntosh
Make a Note
Safety First
Where to put it
Connection Diagram
Connections on the Back
Making Connections
Connecting a Loudpeaker
The Speaker Wire
Connecting to the Binding Posts
Power Control (Trigger) Outputs
Sentry Monitor
The Front Panel
Packing the MC830
Specifications
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

**McIntosh Laboratory Inc MC830 Power Amplifier Owner’s Manual

The MC830 Power Amplifier is the latest McIntosh accomplishment in long tradition of uncompromising quality and leadership in sound amplification. Combining the latest cutting edge technology with a proven history of innovation, the MC830 will provide you an unsurpassed sonic experience.

Thank you from all of us at McIntosh

With the MC830 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. If you need further technical assistance, please contact your dealer who may be more familiar with your particular setup including other brands. You can also contact McIntosh with additional questions or in the unlikely event of needing service.

Make a Note

For future reference, you can jot down your serial number and purchase information here. We can identify your purchase from this information if the occasion should arise.
Serial Number:
Purchase Date:

Safety First

Important Safety Information is supplied in a separate document “Important Additional Operation Information Guide

Where to put it

The MC830 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. Always provide adequate ventilation for your MC830. Cool operation ensures the longest possible operating life for any electronic instrument. Do not install the MC830 directly above other heat generating component such as a high- powered amplifier. If all the components are installed in a single cabinet, a quiet running ventilation fan can be a definite asset in maintaining all the system components at the coolest possible operating temperature.
A custom cabinet installation should provide the following minimum spacing dimensions for cool operation (See Figure 02 on page 4):

6 inches (15.3cm) above the top
5/8 inches (1.6cm) below the bottom
2 inches (5.1cm) on each side of the MC830 so that airflow is not obstructed
18 inches (45.7cm) depth behind the front panel
1-7/16 inch (3.7cm) in front of the mounting panel for knob clearance

Front View of the MC830

Rear View of the MC830

Side View of the MC830

Figure 01– MC830 Dimensions

Figure 02– Ventilation requirements

Connection Diagram

Since the MC830 is a mono amplifier, a stereo setup will require two MC830 amplifiers. Connect one MC830 to the right preamplifier output and right Loudspeaker and one MC830 to the left preamplifier output and left Loudspeaker as shown here.

Figure 03– MC830 Rear View

Connections on the Back

The Inputs
One UNBALANCED input- RCA Jack
One BALANCED XLR input
One 1/8-inch jack Power Control (trigger) Input
One AC power connector
The Outputs
Two McIntosh gold plated Binding Posts One 1/8-inch jack Power Control (trigger) Output

Making Connections

Pick an Input
Choose the type of Input connection you wish to use either BALANCED (XLR cable see Figure 05) or UNBALANCED (RCA cable see Figure 04). Set the INPUT MODE Switch to the type of Input you wish to use. Slide the Switch towards BAL for the BALANCED IN connection or UNBAL for the UNBALANCED IN connection.

Using the cable appropriate to the Input you have chosen, connect the MC830 to your Preamplifier. Typically, the mono MC830 will be used in pairs for a stereo setup. If this is the case, pay attention to

Figure 04– RCA Connector Figure 05– XLR Connector

which MC830 is connected to the left and which is connected to the right output of the Preamplifier. “Figure 06– XLR pin diagram” on page 7 shows the proper Pin configuration for an XLR Balanced connection to the MC830.

Connecting a Loudpeaker

The MC830 is designed to power a four or eight Ohm Loudspeaker. You will need quality speaker wire.

PIN 1: Shield/Ground
PIN 2: + Signal
PIN 3: – Signal

The Speaker Wire

If speaker wire is not already terminated, remove ½ inch (12.7mm) of insulation from the wire end and twist the strands together. For runs under 25 feet (7.6m), use at least 16AWG wire. For runs under 50 feet (15.2m) use at least 14AWG, and for longer runs up to 100 feet (30.5m), use 12AWG. 12AWG, being the larger wire, can be used in all the above cases if desired. The above guidelines are for 8 Ohm connections. When using 4 Ohm speaker connections, subtract 2 from the gauge. For example, a minimum gauge for a 50 foot 4 Ohm run would be 12AWG. For guide, see Figure 07. Generally, thicker gauge wire is better than thinner until it doesn’t fit in the Binding Post’s hole.

Loudspeaker Wire Gauge Guide

Impedance| 25 feet (7.62 meters) or less| 50 feet (15.24 meters) or less| 100 feet (30.48 meters) or less
4 Ohms| 14AWG| 12AWG| 10AWG
8 Ohms| 16AWG| 14AWG| 12AWG

Figure 07– Loudspeaker Wire Gauge Guide

Connecting to the Binding Posts

McIntosh patented gold-plated Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding posts assure the best connection to all speaker cables.
When connecting the speaker wire to the MC830’s Binding Posts, please follow these steps:

Make sure AC Power is disconnected
Pay close attention to the Polarity (+/-).
Proper Polarity must be maintained for all connections
Rotate the end of the Binding Post Post counterclockwise until an opening appears (see Figure 09).

Figure 08– Opening Binding Post

Insert the Loudspeaker hookup cable into the Binding Post’s opening or the cable spade lug around the center post of the Binding Post (see Figure 09).
Rotate the end of the Binding Post clockwise until it is finger tight
Attach the supplied McIntosh Wrench to the top of the Binding Post using either set of three prongs. One set of three prongs is at the very end of the Wrench and the other set is located 90° from there. Either set will work. Fit the prongs in the holes on the top
of the Binding Post. The larger prong will fit in the center hole. Rotate the Binding Post one quarter of a turn (90°) to secure the Loudspeaker cable connection (see Figure 10). Do not over tighten

Figure 09– Tightening Binding Post

Power Control (Trigger) Outputs

Power Control allows the MC830 to send (OUT) and receive (IN) On/Off signals to/from other McIntosh equipment. In this way, powering on or powering off a single component can do the same for multiple units.

The Power Control Input Jack (PWR CONTROL IN) accepts an On/Off signal from +5 to +12 volts.
The Power Control Output will provide a +12 volt signal with a total current up to 25 mA. Connections are made using an 1/8 inch stereo mini phone plug with the following wiring:

Figure 10– Mini plug for Power Control (Trigger)

The MC830’s Meter Light can be controlled by a connected McIntosh Preamplifier connected through
the PWR CONTROL IN jack. When the Meter Control Knob is in the WATTS or HOLD position, “The Left Knob” on page 8, the MC830 will follow an On or Off signal for the Meter light from a connected Preamplifier (or A/V Control Center).

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 MC830. Plug the male end of the AC Power Cord into a grounded and functioning AC outlet.

Auto Off
This switch Enables (ENA) or Disables (DIS) the Auto Off feature. When the Auto Off feature is enabled the MC830 will Power Off if no input is recieved for 30 minutes if the Power Control Knob (Right Knob) is in the ON position. When the Power Control Knob is in the REMOTE position, the MC830 will follow the power status of the unit connected to the PWR CONTROL IN jack.

Sentry Monitor

The MC830 incorporates McIntosh’s patented Sentry Monitor output transistor protection circuit. Built-in thermal protection circuits guard against overheating. There is absolutely no compromise in sonic performance with this circuit, and it ensures safe operation of the amplifier under even the most extreme operating conditions, and contributes to a long safe operating life of the MC830.

The Front Panel

he MC830’s glass and metal Front Panel provides two control knobs and an Illuminated Power Meter.
There are also two status indicator LEDs.
The Left Knob
The Left Knob is also called the Meter Control Knob. The Meter Control Knob has three switch positions:

LIGHTS OFF- the Meter light will be off.
The Meter will still respond to output
WATTS- the Meter responds to all output and the Meter Light is on unless controlled by another unit as noted below
HOLD- the Meter needle will lock on the highest peak in a series of peaks. When a higher peak is reached, the needle will hold that value. If no greater power level is reached, the needle will lower its level at a rate of approximately 6dB per minute returning to a lower power peak or resting position

Note that when in the WATTS or HOLD position, the Meter Light will be powered On or Off by a Preamplifier (or A/V Control Center) connected by a Power Control Cable if that unit has Power Control capabilities.

The Meter
The MC830’s Meter provides an accurate measurement of power to safely know what wattage is sent to the attached speakers, and thus, providing the knowledge to avoid any potential damage caused by exceeding the speaker’s power limitation.

The top numbers show the MC830’s output in Watts for an 8 Ohm connected Loudspeaker. The bottom numbers are for a 4 Ohm connected Loudspeaker.
A logarithmic scale is used to provide visibly useful movement at low volumes.
The Right Knob
The Right Knob is also known as the Power Control Knob. The Power Control Knob has three switch positions:

OFF- the MC830 will Power Off no matter what signal may be received from a unit connected by a Power Control cable
REMOTE- the MC830 can be powered On and Off by a Preamplifier or A/V Control Center connected by a Power Control Cable. ( See “Power Control (Trigger) Outputs” on page 7.)
ON- this position will Power the MC830 On

Power Guard® LED
continuously monitors input and output signals and can dynamically adjust input levels to insure maximum output while avoiding harsh clipping or distortion. Patented Power Guard® technology allows its circuitry to remain completely outside the signal path unless needed. When Power Guard is engaged, the effect is very subtle especially when compared with clipping and distortion of other overdriven Amplifiers. Power Guard’s amber LED indicates by flashing when Power Guard® is engaged.

The Standby LED
The Standby LED will glow red anytime the MC830 is connected to a live AC outlet.

Packing the MC830

When shipping the MC830, it is highly recommended that the unit be packed as it was originally shipped to avoid damage. Failure to properly pack the unit will likely result in damage. (The front panel is made of glass!) If you need any of the packing material, you can contact McIntosh Customer Service. Use only packing material that is in good condition and replace any material that has seen better days.

It is very important that the four plastic feet are properly placed in the holes of the Foam Bottom Pad. This will ensure the proper equipment location for shipping. Failure to do this will result in shipping damage.

Quantity Part Number Description
1 034661 Shipping carton only
1 034654 Foam Pad Bottom
1 034660 Foam Top Cover
1 033656 Foam Ring
1 033657 Foam Upper Ring
1 034659 Foam Ring
1 034655 Foam Top Pad

Specifications

Power Output
300 watts into 8 Ohm load
480 watts into 4 Ohm load

Output Load Impedance
4 or 8 Ohm

Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20,000Hz

Dynamic Headroom
2dB

Wide Band Damping Factor
Greater than 100

Frequency Response
+0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Intermodulation Distortion
0.005% maximum, if the instantaneous peak power output does not exceed twice the rated power output for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Signal To Noise Ratio (A Weighted)
120dB Balanced (below rated output)
118dB Unbalanced (below rated output)

Input Sensitivity (for 300 watts in 8 Ohms)
3.4 Volts Balanced
1.7 Volts Unbalanced

VoltageGain
29dB

Input Impedance
22,000 Ohms Balanced
22,000 Ohms Unbalanced

Power Guard
Less than 2% Total Harmonic Distortion with up to a
14dB overdrive signal

Power Control Input
5-15VDC, less than 1mA

Power Control Output
12VDC, 25mA (Delayed 0.2 seconds from power on)

Power Requirements
100 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 7.2 Amps
110 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 6.0 Amps
120 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 6.0 Amps
127 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 3.7 Amps
220 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 3.3 Amps
230 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 3.3 Amps
240 Volts ~ 50/60Hz at 3.3 Amps
Standby, less than 0.5 watt
Refer to the rear panel of the MC830 for the correct voltage.

Overall Dimensions
Width is 12-9/32 inches (31.2cm)
Height is 9-1/2 inches (24.1cm) including feet
Depth is 16 inches (40.6cm)

Weight
48 pounds (21.8Kg) net, 55 pounds (24.9Kg) in shipping carton

Shipping Carton Dimensions
Width is 20-3/8 inches (51.8cm)
Height is 13-1/4 inches (33.7cm)
Depth is 16-1/4 inches (41.3cm)

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. 24110400