Help with first time set-up for Vintage McIntosh Amp, Preamp, and Tuner

[drewbypc]

I've recently been given a wonderful opportunity to acquire some very expensive vintage audio equipment, but as a PC hardware enthusiast, I have 0 knowledge when it comes to this area and would appreciate some help.

I was told all I would really need is an amp and a tuner, and in total I have taken these 3 McIntosh pieces home as well as a Thorens turntable and two large Advent speakers. (not to mention the box full of cables/wires....)

LARGE PHOTOS IN SPOILERS

MC 2255 AMP

Spoiler

C40 AUDIO CONTROL CENTER (PRE AMP?)

Spoiler

MR 78 FM TUNER

Spoiler

If anyone is familiar with this exact equipment, could you help me set this all up?
Or could anyone at the very least point me in the right direction for how I'm supposed to interconnect all of these components (and or let me know if I'm missing a crucial piece of hardware)?

Thanks!

 

[thedudeabides]

All this info should be available on the internet. Example. Google amp to preamp connection, tuner to preamp, etc.

 

[Direct Drive]

Nice bits of gear.
It is all fairly straightforward. Phono to phono (RCA) plugs between the equipment ( there is balanced on the pre, but not the power, so ignore). So tuner output to preamp input marked tuner. Preamp output (unswitched) to power amp input. Speakers connected to the power amplifier, the screw terminals are not ideal and limit cable size. Check the ohm rating of the speaker, usually 8 ohm, positive (red) to that and black, negative, to Com. Keed to keep phase correct, so red to red, or right to right. You will need an aerial.

Manuals
MC2255

C40

MR 78

 

[drewbypc]

Nice bits of gear.
It is all fairly straightforward. Phono to phono (RCA) plugs between the equipment ( there is balanced on the pre, but not the power, so ignore). So tuner output to preamp input marked tuner. Preamp output (unswitched) to power amp input. Speakers connected to the power amplifier, the screw terminals are not ideal and limit cable size. Check the ohm rating of the speaker, usually 8 ohm, positive (red) to that and black, negative, to Com. Keed to keep phase correct, so red to red, or right to right. You will need an aerial.

Manuals
MC2255

C40

MR 78

Thanks for the reply, this has been immensely helpful -- though I am a bit lost on a couple things.

Preamp output (unswitched) to power amp input.

I drew myself a simple diagram to further understand this; so is this red line between the pre amp and power amp correct? The only thing labeled "unswitched" on the preamp is the power outlet under the "listen" outputs, and I'm pretty sure that is not what you were describing.

Spoiler

You will need an aerial.

Is the aerial necessary for connection to the speakers? It seems my pronged speaker wires will connect quite easily with the screw terminals but I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding you.

Thanks again.

 

[Direct Drive]

Your photos are correct. Sorry I said unswitched incorrectly meaning not the ones marked switched to the left in your photo.

For the tuner to work, you will probably gave to plug an aerial in so it can receive a signal/ thne into a station.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I've recently been given a wonderful opportunity to acquire some very expensive vintage audio equipment, but as a PC hardware enthusiast, I have 0 knowledge when it comes to this area and would appreciate some help.

I was told all I would really need is an amp and a tuner, and in total I have taken these 3 McIntosh pieces home as well as a Thorens turntable and two large Advent speakers. (not to mention the box full of cables/wires....)

LARGE PHOTOS IN SPOILERS

MC 2255 AMP

Spoiler

C40 AUDIO CONTROL CENTER (PRE AMP?)

Spoiler

MR 78 FM TUNER

Spoiler

If anyone is familiar with this exact equipment, could you help me set this all up?
Or could anyone at the very least point me in the right direction for how I'm supposed to interconnect all of these components (and or let me know if I'm missing a crucial piece of hardware)?

Thanks!

Indeed great classic mcintosh.