McIntosh MB20 User manual

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McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street Binghamton, New York 13903-2699 Phone: [phone] www.mcintoshlabs.com
MB20
Bluetooth Transceiver
Owner’s Guide
MB20 B LUETOOTH T RANSCEIVER

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Safety First
It is a smart idea to read all the enclosed
MB20 SAFETY INFORMATION
even if you already know this stu,
you can’t be too safe.
Here is some compliance information:
FCC Informaon
(US Customers)
1. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY
THIS PRODUCT
This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained
in this manual, meets FCC requirements. Modication not expressly
approved by McIntosh may void your authority, granted by the FCC,
to use the product.
2. CAUTION:
• To comply with FCC RF exposure compliance requirement,
separation distance of at least 20cm must be maintained between this
product and all persons.
• This product and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
3. COMPLIANCE INFORMATION:
• Product Name: MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver
• Model Number: MB20
• This product contains FCC ID:BWY-MB20
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, NY 13903
Tel. [phone]
IC Informaon
(Canadian Customers)
1. PRODUCT:
This device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that
comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada’s license-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
2. CAUTION:
Under Industry Canada regulations, this radio transmitter may only
operate using an antenna of a type and maximum (or lesser) gain
approved for the transmitter by Industry Canada.
To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type
and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically
radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that permitted for successful
communication.
This radio transmitter (IC: 2483A-MB20) has been approved by
Industry Canada to operate with the antenna types listed below with
the maximum permissible gain indicated.
Antenna types not included in this list, having a gain greater than the
maximum gain indicated for that type, are strictly prohibited for use
with this device.
Antenna used by this product: MB20
Antenna Model: 380B
peak gain: 3dBi
Informaons sur IC (pour les
clients Canadiens)
L’émetteur/récepteur exempt de licence contenu dans le présent
appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Innovation, Sciences et
Développement économique Canada applicables aux appareils radio
exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions
suivantes :
1. L’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage;
2. L’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi,
même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le
fonctionnement
RED (EN) Informaon
1.DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Our products follow the provisions of EC/EU directives:
LVD: 2014/35/EC
EMC: 2014/30/EU
RED: 2014/53/EU
ErP: EC regulation 1275/2008 and its frame work
directive 2009/125/EC
RoHS: 2011/65/EU
2. IMPORTANT NOTICE: DO NOT MODIFY
THIS PRODUCT
This product, when installed as indicated in the instructions contained
in this manual, meets RED directive requirements. Modication of
the product could result in hazardous Radio and EMC radiation.
3. CAUTION:
Separation distance of at least 20cm must be maintained between this
product and all persons.
This product and its antenna must not be co-located or operating in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

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Safety Informaon
1. Read these instructions.
2. Keep these instructions.
3. Heed all warnings.
4. Follow all instructions.
5. Do not use this apparatus near water.
6. Clean only with a dry cloth.
7. Do not use or place near any heat sources such as
radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus that
produce heat.
8. Only use attachments/accessories specied by the manu-
facturer including the supplied AC/DC adapter.
9. Unplug the supplied AC/DC Adapter during lightning
storms or when unused for long periods of time.
10. Refer all servicing to qualied service personnel. Servicing
is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any
way, the AC /DC Adapter is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the
apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not
operate normally, or has been dropped.
11. Do not expose this apparatus to dripping or splashing and
that no objects lled with liquids, should not be placed on
the equipment.
12. This equipment is supplied with AC/DC Adapter with sep-
arate power supply cord or the AC/DC Adapter plugging
directly into an a.c. receptacle, they shall remain readily
operable. To completely disconnect this equipment from
the a.c. mains remove the AC/DC Adapter mains power
supply cord from the a.c. receptacle or remove the AC/DC
Adapter when it is directly plugged into the a.c. receptacle.
Working temperature: 0-35o C.
This product is intended for use only with the
adapter provided:
Manufacturer: GOLDEN PROFIT ELECTRON-
ICS LTD.
Model: GPE-013B-050240-Z
13. WARNING: Do not expose apparatus to excessive heat
such as sunshine, re or the like. No naked ame sources
such as lighted candles should be placed on the apparatus.
Les piles ne doivent pas être exposées à de forte chaleur,
tel qu’à la lumière du soleil, au feu ou autres choses de
semblable. Aucune source de amme nue, tel qu’une
bougie, ne doit être placée sur l’appareil.
14. Rating plate is located at bottom enclosure of the
apparatus.
Les marquages sont inscrits en bas de l’appareil.
Statement for Class B digital device acc. to FCC
15.105 as following:
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed
to provide reasonable protection against harmful in-
terference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to
radio or television reception, which can be determined
by turning the equipment o and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
—Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
—Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
—Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent
from that to which the receiver is connected.
—Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/ TV technician
for help.
—This device complies with Industry Canada licence-exempt
RSS standard(s).
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie
Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de
licence.
WARNING:
Cancer and Reproductive Harm -
www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
ATTENTION:
RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR
Table of Contents
Safety First............................... 2
Safety Information ................... 3
Thank you ............................... 4
Make a Note............................. 4
Introduction.............................. 4
Receiver or Transmitter............ 5
MB20 Front View .................... 6
Power the MB20 ...................... 6
MB20 Rear View ..................... 7
Attach the Antenna................... 8
Receiver Mode......................... 9
Clearing and Resetting........... 10
Packing the MB20.................. 10
License Information................11
Technical Specications .........11

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Thank you
From all of us at McIntosh, thank you for purchasing our
MB20. The MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver is a precision
instrument that will provide 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.
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc.
2 Chambers Street
Binghamton, New York 13903
Technical Assistance Phone: [phone]
Customer Service (for repairs)
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
Website: mcintoshlabs.com
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:
Dealer Name:
Introducon
The MB20 functions as a Bluetooth receiver or as a
Bluetooth Transmitter. The MB20 has been designed to
provide a superior Bluetooth connection to equipment
that lacks Bluetooth connectivity. The MB20 is a Class 1
Bluetooth device with a transmission range ten times that
of a typical Class 2 Bluetooth device (such as most cell
phones.) As a receiver, the MB20 employs an extremely
sensitive receiver for better reception even from Class 2

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devices.
Class 1 Bluetooth transmission has a range up to ten
times that of Class 2 devices. Class 1 operation can
typically be 150 feet (45.7 meters) in ideal conditions
with mobile devices. Actual range of Bluetooth Class 1
technology may be aected by physical obstacles as well
as the performance of devices with which the MB20 is
intended to connect, particularly Class 2 devices. Think
of this measure as a point of comparison since the world
is not always ideal. As a receiver, the maximum range is
determined by the capabilities of both paired devices.
Internal sampling and bit shifting, which can be thought
of as sophisticated up-sampling, will enable all digital
processing to occur and the highest available speed and
resolution. The MB20’s internal DAC processing at 192
kHz is the gentlest way of ltering the audio signal. The
digital output will be at 96 kHz for wider compatibility
with other DACs.
Bluetooth Transmit and Receive support aptX HD for
improved sound quality. Plus aptXTM Low Latency audio
improves end-to-end speed of audio transmission to keep
the sound in sync with the screen. Using two MB20, one
as a receiver and the other as a transmitter, provides full
wireless aptX HD code and decode bridge.
Figure 1– RX/TX Button
Receiver or Transmier
The MB20 can be either a Receiver (RX) or Transmitter
(TX). It can switch between these two modes, but it can
only be one of these at a time.
Set the MB20 to the desired mode, either RX or TX, by
pushing the RX/TX Button located on the rear of the
unit. See Figure 1. When the RX/TX Button is depressed
(pushed in), the MB20 is in Receive Mode. When the
A059664 MB20 REAR 11/2/2020
ANALOG
IN
COAX IN
ANALOG
OUT
L
R
OPTICAL
IN
COAX OUT
OPTICAL
OUT
RX/TX ANT
L
R
LL/HD
DC5V IN
2.4A

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MB20 B LUETOOTH T RANSCEIVER
button is in the released position, the MB20 is in
Transmitter Mode. Pushing the RX/TX button
will toggle between these two modes.
RX/TX Buon MB20 Mode
In Bluetooth Receiver
Out Bluetooth Transmitter
MB20 Front View
Figure 2– MB20 Front View
Front Panel Button
White- Standby
Blue- Bluetooth Receiver Mode
Green- Bluetooth Transmitter Mode
Flashing (Blue or Green)- Discovery Mode
Power the MB20
Use the supplied AC/DC adapter with the
included USB cable to power the MB20. You
may be tempted to plug the USB cable into a
computer. This will not supply enough power for
the MB20 to function properly.
The DC input labeled DC 5V IN can be found
next to the antenna connection in “Figure 3–
MB20 Rear View” on page 7.
To allow the MB20 to properly reset when
powering o and on, please allow 5 to 10 seconds
between removing and re-inserting the power
cord.

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A059664 MB20 REAR 11/2/2020
ANALOG
IN COAX IN
ANALOG
OUT
L
ROPTICAL
IN
COAX OUT
OPTICAL
OUT
RX/TX ANT L
R
LL/HD
DC5V IN
2.4A
MB20 Rear View
Figure 3– MB20 Rear View
Analog Balanced
(XLR) Inputs
Right Left
Right Left
Analog Unbalanced
(RCA) Inputs
Analog Balanced
(XLR) Outputs
Right Left
Right Left
Analog Unbalanced
(RCA) Outputs
Digital Coax
Input
Digital Coax
Ouput
Digital Optical
Input
Digital Optical
Ouput
DC 5 Volt
Power Micro
USB Input
RX/TX
Button
Antenna
Connection
Low Latency/
High Definition
Preference Button

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Aach the Antenna
Attach the included Bluetooth Antenna to the ANT
Connection in the center of the rear panel of the MB20.
(See Figure 3 on page 7.) Tighten the brass nut at the
base of the Antenna until nger tight.
Transmier Mode
In the Transmitter Mode (TX), the MB20 will take a
signal from one of the inputs:
• Analog Balanced (XLR)
• Analog Unbalanced (RCA)
• Digital Coax
• Digital Optical
and send (transmit) the signal to a Bluetooth connected
device.
The Front Panel Button will glow Green in Transmitter
Mode.
To Power On, press and hold the Front Panel Button for
two seconds. The MB20 will automatically search for
the last paired device. After one minute, the MB20 enters
Discovery Mode. It will stay in Discovery Mode for 15
minutes.
The MB20 will pair a previously paired device while in
Discovery Mode or pair with a new device that is also in
Discovery Mode.
After 15 minutes in Discovery Mode, if no pairing
occurs, the MB20 will power o.
If the MB20 has not been previously paired (or the
pairing list has been erased), the unit will more quickly
(10 seconds) enter Discovery Mode.
Discovery Mode is indicated by a the Front Panel Button
ashing green (single blink on and o).
Since you may not be able to see a list of discoverable
Bluetooth Devices to choose from on the device you are
trying to connect to the MB20, it is helpful to not have
any other discoverable devices competing with the MB20
when trying to pair. The process of pairing will happen
automatically.
When the MB20 pairs with another device, the Front
Panel Button will be solid green (no longer blinking).
When connected, the MB20 will send input to the paired

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device via Bluetooth.
When powered on, the MB20 will attempt to pair with
the last paired device for one minute. If that device is
unavailable, the MB20 will enter Discovery Mode.
Should the MB20 experience a brief power interruption
during operation, conrm that all volume settings are
as expected before using connected devices such as
headphones.
Low Latency/High Denition Preference Button sets
a preference for either Low Latency or High Denition
connections when the MB20 is in Transmitter mode.
Since a receiver (such as a speaker) may not support both
protocols, the MB20 will use the available protocol. If
both protocols are available on the receiver this button
will set the preference of which to use,
Low Latency may be a desirable preference for video
viewing to better sync video and audio.
Buon Posion aptX Protocol Preference
In Low Latency
Out High Denion
Receiver Mode
In the Receiver Mode (RX), the MB20 will send a
received Bluetooth signal to ALL these outputs:
• Analog Balanced (XLR)
• Analog Unbalanced (RCA)
• Digital Coax
• Digital Optical
The Front Panel Button will glow Blue in Receiver
Mode.
To pair the MB20 to receive from your device:
• RX/TX Button should be in the receive (RX)
position (depressed)
• Power On the MB20. Front Panel Button will
glow blue. It will begin to blink (single blink on
and o) when in pairing mode
• On the device you wish to connect to the MB20,
scan for Available Devices. The MB20 will be
listed as “MB20”
• Choose MB20. If asked “Pair with MB20?”,
choose OK

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• MB20 should be connected for Audio. When
successfully paired the Front Panel Button will
display as solid blue. Unsuccessful pairing will
display as solid white
You can use the Bluetooth menu of your connected
device to connect and disconnect the MB20.
Clearing and Reseng
To reset the MB20 and clear the pairing list:
• Press and hold the Front Panel Button for 10
seconds
• The LED of the Front Panel Button will blink,
pause and then double blink when reset. Release
the Button
• Pull out DC USB Power Connector from the
rear of MB20 for 10 seconds and then replace
Packing the MB20
When shipping the MB20, it is highly recommended that
the unit be packed as it was originally shipped to avoid
damage. For this reason, you may wish to save the original
box and packing material for your MB20. 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.

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License Informaon
Trademark Logo License Information
The Bluetooth®word mark and
logos are registered trademarks
owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and
any use of such marks by McIntosh
Group, Inc. is under license. Other
trademarks and trade names are
those of their respective owners.
Qualcomm®aptXTM is a product
of Qualcomm Technologies,
Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Qualcomm is a trademark of
Qualcomm Incorporated, registered
in the United States and other
countries. aptX is a trademark
of Qualcomm Technologies
International, Ltd., registered in the
United States and other countries.
Technical Specicaons
Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 5.0
Supported Protocols
A2DP, SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, aptX HD
Digital Input
up to 192kHz 24-bit
Digital Ouput
96 kHz 24-bit
Analog Input and Output
2.5 Vrms maximum
Dimensions
Width is 9.45 inches (24cm)
antenna adds 1.35 inches (3.43cm)
Depth is 3.94 inches (10.01cm)
Height is 2.375 inches (6.03cm)
with feet 2.5 inches (6.35cm)
Shipping Carton Dimensions
Width is 12 inches (30.48cm)
Depth is 8 inches (20.32cm)
Height is 4 inches (10.16cm)
Weight
2.5 pounds (1.2 kg) net, 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) in shipping carton

McIntosh Part Number 24109000 revF
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.