15
Caution: Do not connect the AC Power Cord to
the MA12000 Rear Panel until after the
Loudspeaker Connections are made. Failure to
observe this could result in Electric Shock.
The McIntosh MA12000 Power Amplifier Circuitry
is designed for Loudspeakers with an impedance
of 2 ohms, 4 ohms or 8 ohms. Connect a single
Loudspeaker only to the Right and Left Binding Post.
When connecting Loudspeakers to the MA12000
it is very important to use cables of adequate size,
to minimize 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:
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
1. Prepare the Loudspeaker Hookup Cable for
attachment to the MA12000 Power Amplifier
Circuitry:
Bare wire cable ends:
Carefully remove sufficient insulation from the
cable ends, refer to figures F, G & H. If the cable
is stranded, carefully twist the strands together
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:
2. Attach the previously prepared
bare wire cable ends into the
banana plugs and secure the
connections. Refer to figure I.
3. Rotate the Binding Post clockwise
until it is finger tight. Refer to
figure J. Then using the McIntosh
Wrench, rotate the top of the Binding
Post one quarter of a turn (90°).
Do
not over tighten.
Refer to figure E.
4. Referring to figure K, connect the
Loudspeaker hookup cables with
banana plugs into the hole at the
top of the terminal
to the MA12000
Negative Binding Post
and Positive Binding
Post indentified as 2Ω
(ohms), 4Ω (ohms) or 8Ω
(ohms) connection to match the impedance of the
Loudspeaker, being careful to observe the correct
polarities.
If the Loudspeaker’s impedance is in-between
the available connections, use the nearest lower
impedance connection. Refer to “General
Information” Note 6 on page 4 for additional
information.
WARNING: Loudspeaker terminals are hazardous
live and present a risk of electric
shock. For additional instruction on
making Loudspeaker Connections
contact your McIntosh Dealer or
McIntosh Technical Support.
5. Connect the MA12000 power cord to an active AC
outlet.
Spade Lug or Wire Connections:
6. Connect the Loudspeaker hookup cables to the
MA12000 Negative Binding and Positive Binding
indentified as 2Ω (ohms), 4Ω (ohms) or 8Ω
(ohms) connection to match the impedance of the
Loudspeaker, being careful to observe the correct
polarities. Insert the spade lug connector or
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.
2. Insert the Loudspeaker
hookup cable into the Binding
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.
4. Place the supplied McIntosh
Wrench over the top of the
Binding Post and rotate it
one quarter of a turn (90°) to
secure the Loudspeaker Cable
Connection.
Do not over
tighten.
Refer to figure E.
How to Connect Loudspeakers
Figure F
Figure G
Figure H
Figure I
Figure A
Opening
Figure B
Figure C
Figure D
Figure E
Figure J
Figure I
Figure K
