12
Banana plug connection:
Insert the banana plug into the hole at the top of
the terminal. Refer to figures A and B.
Note: Banana Plugs are for use in the United
States and Canada only.
When making Loudspeaker Connections to the
MC2301 refer to the Connection Diagram on the next
page. This is an example of a typical audio system,
your system may vary from this, however the actual
Loudspeaker would be connected in a similar manner.
5. Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables from a
single Loudspeaker to the output terminals that
match the impedance of the Loudspeaker, being
careful to observe the correct polarities. Output
impedance connections of 2 ohms, 4 ohms and 8
ohms are provided. If the Loudspeaker’s imped-
ance is in-between the available connections, use
the nearest lower impedance connection.
WARNING: Loudspeaker terminals are hazard-
ous live and present a risk of electric
shock.
6. Connect the MC2301 Power Cord to a live AC
outlet.
How to Connect
3. This McIntosh MC2301 Tube Power Amplifier
is designed for the connection of a single Loud-
speaker with an impedance of 2 ohms, 4 ohms or
8 ohms.
Note: The remaining Loudspeaker Terminals on the
Amplifier should not be connected to another
Loudspeaker.
4. Prepare the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables that
attach to the Amplifier by choosing one of the
methods below:
Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the
cable ends, refer to figures 1, 2 & 3. If the cable
is stranded,
carefully
twist the
strands
together as
tightly as possible.
Note: If desired, the twisted ends can be tinned with
solder to keep the strands together, or attach
spade lug and/or banana connector.
Spade lug or prepared wire connection:
Insert the spade lug connector or prepared sec-
tion of the cable end into the terminal side ac-
cess hole, and tighten the terminal cap until the
cable is firmly clamped into the terminal so the
wires cannot slip out. Refer to figures 4, 5 & 6.
Caution: The supplied AC Power Cord should not
be connected to the Rear Panel of the
MC2301 Tube Power Amplifier until after
the Loudspeaker Connections have been
made. Failure to observe this could result
in Electric Shock. For additional instruc-
tion on making Loudspeaker Connections
contact your McIntosh Dealer or McIn-
tosh Technical Support.
1. For Remote Power Control, connect a power control
cable from the Control Center or Preamplifier
Power Control Out to the MC2301 POWER CON-
TROL IN.
2. Connect a cable from the Balanced Output of a
McIntosh Preamplifier or Control Center to the
MC2301 BALANCED INPUT. Place the INPUT
MODE Switch in the BALANCED Position.
Note: An optional hookup is to use an unbalanced
cable and place the INPUT MODE Switch in
the UNBALANCED Position.
When connecting Loudspeakers to the MC2301 it
is very important to use cables of adequate size, so
there is little to no power loss in the cables. The size is
specified in Gauge Numbers or AWG (American Wire
Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the
wire size:
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Loudspeaker Cable Distance vs Wire Gauge Guide
Loudspeaker
Impedance
25 feet
(7.62 meters)
or less
50 feet
(15.24 meters)
or less
100 feet
(30.48 meters)
or less
2 Ohms
12AWG
10AWG
8AWG
4 Ohms
14AWG
12AWG
10AWG
8 Ohms
16AWG
14AWG
12AWG
