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MA230 PREAMP-AMPLIFIER
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The new Mclntosh MA230 presents two
outstanding "FIRSTS" for your home stereo
listening enjoyment.
. . . The MA230 is the FIRST stereo pre-
amp-amplifier on one chassis that meets the
traditional rigorous Mclntosh engineering
performance standards.
. . . The MA230 is the FIRST stereo instru-
ment to combine a solid state preamplifier
with a tube and transformer power amplifier
on the same chassis.
The Mclntosh MA230 has eliminated all
previous limitations of single chassis preamp-
power amplifiers. The compact design of the
MA230 preamplifier allows adequate space
on the same chassis for a cool running 30
watt per channel tube power amplifier. You
can now enjoy Mclntosh performance and
reliability with the convenience of a complete
single chassis stereo instrument.
The dramatic difference in the quality of
music reproduction through Mclntosh instru-
ments is due directly to low distortion per-
formance. Mclntosh Laboratory is the only
manufacturer in the entire industry to guar-
antee and deliver the lowest distortion at all
audio frequencies.
Long life, flexibility, and highest quality
construction are characteristic designs in
every Mclntosh instrument. Wide electrical
and thermal margins of safety for all com-
ponents, transistors and tubes add to the
long life built into every Mclntosh product.
Advanced engineering and cool operating de-
sign insure reliability and low maintenance
costs. A Mclntosh instrument is without
doubt the most economical and worthwhile
long term investment in the high fidelity
industry.
Once you have enjoyed the outstanding
performance of the MA230, you will under-
stand why Mclntosh products have earned
their reputation as "THE BEST." Your Mc-
lntosh MA230 stereo preamp-amplifier will
give you years of the finest possible per-
formance and will become a highly valued
part of your home music system.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
The new Mclntosh MA230 combines, for
the first time, a Mclntosh engineered stereo
solid state preamplifier and tube power am-
plifier on the same chassis. Long months of
diligent research by the Mclntosh engineer-
ing staff have produced a compact solid state
preamplifier which meets all the traditional
Mclntosh performance standards. The MA-
230 solid state preamplifier eliminates the
drawbacks and limitations of all previous
solid state circuits. The compact design of
this preamplifier has allowed sufficient space
to properly position a 30 watt per channel
stereo tube power amplifier on the same
chassis.
The MA230 continues the Mclntosh repu-
tation for cool and efficient operation. Careful
chassis planning has permitted the output
tubes to be spaced well apart. This wide
spacing allows more air circulation around
the tubes. Better air circulation means cooler
operation. Cooler operation means longer
trouble free life. The large Mclntosh output
and power transformers are positioned across
the center of the chassis for mechanical
stability and strength.
The MA230 preamplifier section is de-
signed around the latest type Silicon-Planar
transistors. Silicon-Planar transistors were
selected because of their high thermal sta-
bility, low leakage, low noise, and superior
high frequency response. A total of 12 tran-
sistors are used. Three transistors are used
in each channel of the phono preamplifier
section. Three transistors are also used in
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