Features

Classic McIntosh Design: The MR89 AM/FM tuner incorporates classic McIntosh design cues, including a black glass front-panel, rotary knobs, illuminated logo, stainless steel chassis, & gold-plated connectors. The MR89's smooth acting weighted tuning mechanism with glass dial and illuminated pointer resembles that of the classic McIntosh analog tuners from the 60's and 70's.

AM/FM Tuner: The McIntosh MR89 tuner excels at receiving traditional AM and FM broadcasts. The MR89's Tuned RF Circuitry receives strong local FM station signals without distortion and receives even the weakest of FM signals with low noise. The included RAA2 external amplified AM antenna allows placement of the AM antenna for the best reception (no FM antenna is included).

• AM Specs:
  • Tuning Range: 531kHz - 1710kHz (USA), 531kHz - 1701kHz (Europe), 531kHz - 1629kHz (Japan)
  • Channel Spacing: 9kHz or 10kHz
  • Sensitivity: 350uV/m
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 55dB
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz - 15kHz (+/-1dB)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.1%
  • Selectivity: 45dB (Adjacent Channel)
• FM Specs:
  • Tuning Range: 88.1MHz - 107.9MHz (USA), 87.5MHz - 108.0MHz (Europe), 76.0MHz - 108.0MHz (Japan)
  • Channel Spacing: 50kHz, 100kHz, or 200kHz
  • Useable Sensitivity: 1uV (26dB SNR)
  • Signal-to-Noise Radio: 70dB (Mono), 68dB (Stereo)
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz - 18kHz (+/-1dB)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.1% (Mono), 0.3% (Stereo)
  • Channel Separation: 70dB (Adjacent Channel)
  • Stereo Separation: 45dB

Tuning Methods: The McIntosh MR89 offers Manual, Seek, Preset, and Direct AM/FM station tuning. You can store up to 40 total station presets - 20 FM and 20 AM.

Stereo/Mono Mode: The MR89 tuner automatically switches between Stereo and Monaural FM Broadcasts. You can manually activate the tuner's Mono mode for weaker FM stations to combine left and right stereo signals to a monophonic audio signal.

Stereo Blend Modes: When receiving low quality (weak, noisy, multipath) FM Stereo Broadcasts, background noise can be reduced by blending some of the left and right channel information together, while still maintaining the "stereo effect". The MR89 provides two different blending types to select from, conventional Stereo Blending, or Stereo High Blend.

• Stereo Blending: Stereo Blending blends the left and right channel information together uniformly across the audio frequency range as signal quality decreases - blending low and high frequencies the same amount.
• High Blend: High Blend blends the high frequency portion of the audio frequency range more aggressively. The highest frequencies are always blended and, as signal quality decreases, more and more of the high frequencies are affected until the effect transitions to conventional.

Softmute: The MR89 provides a Softmute function which can be used to reduce audio output when receiving low quality stations or to reduce between-station static and noise. Several aggressiveness settings are available to suit station quality or listening preference.

Highcut: The MR89 provides a Highcut function which can be used to reduce high frequency audio content when tuned to low level or low quality stations. Highcut is different from stereo blending in the sense that applies a variable lowpass filter to reduce the high frequency content of poor quality stations, but does not blend the left and right channel content together and reduce stereo separation.

RBDS Text Info: The MR89 tuner supports the display of RBDS (Radio Broadcast Data Service) text from many FM radio stations, programs, & channels. When available from a FM broadcast station, the text information appears on the second line of the tuner's front-panel display. It may also scroll from right to left, this is for information not possible to display at the same time. This information may include some or all of the following -

• Station Call Letters and/or Frequency
• Type of Program and/or music format
• Name of the Artist
• Name of the Song

Balanced & Unbalanced Analog Outputs: The MR89 is fitted with both balanced & unbalanced analog outputs to connect the HD AM/FM tuner to your home audio system. There is a balanced stereo XLR output and an unbalanced stereo RCA output. Balanced connections guard against induced noise and allow long cable runs without compromising sound quality. The balanced and unbalanced outputs may be used simultaneously.

Optical & Coaxial Digital Outputs: The McIntosh MR89 is also equipped with an optical (toslink) digital output and a coax (RCA) digital output for connection of the tuner to your home audio system. Both digital outputs support a sampling frequency up to 48kHz.

Front-Panel & Remote Control: The MR89 AM/FM tuner offers front-panel controls, including Preset & Tune rotary knobs, and the following push-button controls - Standby/On, Band, Seek Up/Down, Mono/Stereo/, Store/Exit, Display, & Category. The included IR remote provides full wireless operation of tuner. The remote can also be used to operate other McIntosh components.

Fluorescent Display & Meters: The two line multifunction fluorescent display indicates artist name, station call sign, music genre, and song title; as well as setup functions. A pair of 60dB output meters show the signal level that's being delivered from the analog outputs of each channel. Depending on the program received, the meters are a good indication of the MR89's excellent stereo separation. The brightness level of the fluorescent display can be adjusted.

Linear Power Supply: The MR89 utilizes a linear power supply with a custom-wound R-Core transformer and nested regulation to insure optimum performance of all circuits.

Custom Integration: The McIntosh MR89 offers advanced connectivity and control features often required for custom home integration.

• IR Input: The 3.5mm IR input allows the connection of an external IR receiver. With an external sensor connected to the MR89, remote control operation of the system is possible from another room and/or when the MR89 is located in a cabinet with the doors closed. The signal from a connected external IR receiver will have priority over the signal from the tuner's front-panel IR sensor.
• Power Control: The MR89 has the ability to automatically switch power on or off to and from source components via the Power Control In/Out connections (3.5mm).
• Data Port: The MR89's Data Out Port (3.5mm) sends remote control signals to a McIntosh source component. This Data Port connection allows for the remote operation of basic functions using the MR89's remote control.
• RS-232C Port: The tuner's RS-232C port requires a 3.5mm stereo minijack to a subminiature DB 9 connector cable (sold separately) to transmit and receive RS-232 commands.

Mounting Options: The McIntosh MR89 can be placed upright on a table or shelf, standing on its four feet. It also can be custom installed in a piece of furniture or cabinet of your choice. The four feet may be removed from the bottom of the MR89 when it is custom installed. Always provide adequate ventilation for your MR89. Allow at least 2" above the top, 2" below the bottom, and 2" on each side of the tuner, so that airflow is not obstructed.