background image

10

Gauge). The smaller the Gauge number, the larger the 

wire size:

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

4 Ohms

14AWG

12AWG

10AWG

8 Ohms

16AWG

14AWG

12AWG

6. Prepare the Loudspeaker Hookup Cable for attach-

ment to the MI254 Power Amplifier:

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 to-

gether as tightly as possible.

Notes: 1. If desired, the twisted ends can be tinned 

with solder to keep the strands together.

2. The prepared bare wire cable ends may be 

inserted into spade lug connectors.

3. Banana plugs are for use in the United 

States and Canada only.

Banana Plugs are for use in the United States and 

Canada only:

7. Attach the previously prepared bare 

wire cable ends into the banana plugs 

and secure the connections. Refer to 

figure 4.

8. Referring to figure 5, connect the 

Loudspeaker hookup cables with 

banana plugs into the hole at the end 

of the MI254 Negative and Positive 

Output Terminals, making sure to 

How to Connect Different Sources for 

Zones B and C System

nents would be connected in a similar manner. For 

additional information refer to “Connector and Cable 

Information” on page 3.

1. The Power Control Connection between the MI254 

and a Multi Zone A/V Control Center provides 

automatic Power Control of the MI254. The inter-

nal settings of the A/V Control Center can provide 

the Power Control Function so the MI254 will be 

switched On when either Zone B, Zone C or both 

Zones are active. Connect a Power Control Cable 

from the A/V Control Center TRIG 2 jack to the 

MI254 PWR CNTRL IN Jack.

Note: The AUTO OFF Signal Sensing Circuitry 

is automatically activated when there is no 

Power Control Cable connected to the MI254 

and only Zone C is being used.

2. Connect unbalanced cables from the A/V Control 

Center Analog Audio Out Zone 2 (Left and Right 

Channel) to the MI254 BUS 1 INPUTS, making 

sure to match up channel designations.

3. Connect unbalanced cables from the A/V Control 

Center Analog Audio Out Zone 3 (Left and Right 

Channel) to the MI254 BUS 2 INPUTS, making 

sure to match up channel designations.

4. Place the CHANNEL 1/R and 2/L Input Selector 

Switches to the “-1” Position.

5. Place the CHANNEL 3/R and 4/L Input Selector 

Switches to the “-2” Position.

This McIntosh MI254 Power Amplifier is designed 

for Loudspeakers with an impedance of 4 ohms or 

8 ohms. Connect a single Loudspeaker only to each 

Channel Output Terminals.

When connecting Loudspeakers to the MI254 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 

Caution: Do not connect the AC Power Cord to the MI254 

Rear Panel until after the Loudspeaker Connec-

tions are made and the protective Terminal Con-

nections Cover is installed. Failure to observe 

this could result in Electric Shock.

The connection instructions below, together with the 

MI254 Connection Diagram located on the separate 

folded sheet “

Mc1B

”, is an example of Different 

Sources for a Zone B and Zone C System. Your sys-

tem may vary from this, however the actual compo-

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 5

Figure 4

Output Terminals

When connecting the Loudspeaker Hookup Cables to 

the MI254 Amplifier Output Terminals please follow 

the steps below:

1. Rotate the top of the Output Terminal Post coun-

terclockwise until an opening 

appears. Refer to figures A and 

B.

2. Insert the Loudspeaker hookup 

cable into the Output Terminal 

Post opening or the cable spade 

lug around the center post of 

the Output Terminal. Refer to 

figure C.

3. Rotate the top of the Output 

Terminal Post clockwise until it 

is finger tight. Refer to figure D.

4. Place the supplied McIntosh 

Wrench over the top of the Out-

put Terminal and rotate it one 

quarter of a turn (90°) to secure 

the Loudspeaker Cable Connec-

tion. 

Do not over tighten.

 Refer 

to figure E.

Figure A

Opening

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Figure E

Summary of Contents for MI254

Page 1: ...McIntosh Laboratory Inc 2 Chambers Street Binghamton New York 13903 2699 Phone 607 723 3512 www mcintoshlabs com MI254 Four Channel Power Amplifier Owner s Manual...

Page 2: ...miliar with your McIntosh equipment and any other brands that may be part of your system If you or your Dealer wish additional help concerning a suspected problem you can receive technical assistance...

Page 3: ...into clipping with its harsh distorted sound that can damage your valu able Loudspeakers Versatile Operation The MI254 can provide power amplification for four channels in a single Zone A V System or...

Page 4: ...sions Rear View of the MI254 Side View of the MI254 Front View of the MI254 17 1 2 44 5cm 3 15 32 8 8cm 4 5 16 11 0cm 13 1 4 33 7cm 18 1 2 47 0cm 17 1 16 43 3cm 25 64cm 2 0 5 0cm 13 19 32 34 7cm 1 5 1...

Page 5: ...is installed together with other McIntosh Components check clearances on all components before proceeding Cutout Opening for Custom Mounting MI254 Front Panel Custom Cabinet Cutout Support Shelf Chass...

Page 6: ...ut Selector Switch1 CHANNEL 3 Right Input Selector Switch1 CHANNEL 2 Left Input Selector Switch1 CHANNEL 1 Right Input Selector Switch1 BALanced Input CHANNEL 4 Left BALanced Input CHANNEL 3 Right BAL...

Page 7: ...to the respective Channel Left or Channel 4 Left Amplifier Channel 4 Left BALANCED Input Channel 4 Left UNBALANCED Input BUS 2 Left UNBALANCED Input BUS 1 Left UNBALANCED Input Channel 4 Left Switch 1...

Page 8: ...tput Con nections instead of Balanced Connections 3 Place the Input Selector Switches for all four chan nels in the LINE position This McIntosh MI254 Power Amplifier is designed for Loudspeakers with...

Page 9: ...f the cable end into the terminal side access hole Then tighten the terminal cap until the cable is firmly clamped into the terminals so the lugs or wire cannot slip out Refer to figures 6 7 and 8 WAR...

Page 10: ...the A V Control Center Analog Audio Out Zone 2 Left and Right Channel to the MI254 BUS 1 INPUTS making sure to match up channel designations 3 Connect unbalanced cables from the A V Control Center Ana...

Page 11: ...making sure to match up channel designation with Loudspeaker location Insert the spade lug connector or prepared section of the cable end into the terminal side access hole Then tighten the terminal c...

Page 12: ...n impedance of 4 ohms or 8 ohms Connect a single Loudspeaker only to each Channel Output Terminals When connecting Loudspeakers to the MI254 it is very important to use cables of adequate size so ther...

Page 13: ...l side access hole Then tighten the terminal cap until the cable is firmly clamped into the terminals so the lugs or wire cannot slip out Refer to figures 6 7 and 8 WARNING Loudspeaker terminals are h...

Page 14: ...ush Button switches AC Power On or Off Meter indicates Left and Right Channel Amplifiers 1 and 2 Output LED indicates various Channel 2 Circuitry Functions LED indicates various Channel 3 Circuitry Fu...

Page 15: ...4 when switched On 2 There must be a power control connection between the MI254 and the Audio Source Component in order for the Remote Control Operation Power ON OFF to function 3 When the MI254 is re...

Page 16: ...16...

Page 17: ...17 Photos...

Page 18: ...rtion 0 1 maximum if the instantaneous peak power output does not exceed the rated power output for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20 000Hz Wide Band Damping Factor Greater than 85 8 ohm...

Page 19: ...e the original shipping carton and interior parts only if they are all in good serviceable condition If a shipping carton or any of the interior part s are needed please call or write Customer Service...

Page 20: ...cts is the policy of McIntosh Laboratory Incorporated who reserve the right to improve design without notice Printed in the U S A McIntosh Laboratory Inc 2 Chambers Street Binghamton NY 13903 www mcin...

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