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MC162
Power Amplifier
T
he MC162 is a wolf in sheeps clothing. At first glance, its a moderately powerful
(160W per channel) stereo amplifier that will meet the needs of most serious
listeners. Look closer and youll find bridged output of 500W, balanced inputs,
and peak-responding meters -“ telltale signs of a killer McIntosh amplifier.
See SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
in main brochure for more on
McIntosh system architectures.
Featured Technologies
EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH POWER ASSURANCE SYSTEM. Power Assurance is a collection of
technologies that enhance performance and reliability and protect the amp and the loudspeakers.
Power Guard
®clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always
deliver full power without causing clipping distortion. If an amplifier channel is overdriven,
Power Guard automatically reduces the input volume just enough to keep distortion below 2%
and prevent any clipping distortion. Thanks to an optical resistor, Power Guard acts literally at
the speed of light, producing absolutely no audible side effects. An amplifier with Power
Guard will actually deliver clipping-free output well above its rated power.
Sentry Monitor
®current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current
of the output stage and confines it to a safe limit. Sentry Monitor does not limit power output.
Thermal Cutout. If the cooling air is blocked and the power transistors become too hot,
thermal cutouts protect against overheating until the amp cools.
Turn-On Delay.This circuit delays operation for about two seconds after turn-on in order to
avoid any pops or thumps generated as other equipment turns on.
Soft Start inrush protection. Thermistors in the power transformer act as a cushion against
inrush current, eliminating component stress during turn-on. Soft Start is one of many design
details that contribute to the remarkable longevity of McIntosh equipment.
ILLUMINATED PEAK-RESPONDING METERS.McIntosh meters respond 95% full scale to a
single-cycle tone burst at 2kHz. Response is almost 10-times faster than a professional VU
meter. The hold feature provides a longer pause at the peak reading. The meter illumination
can be switched off.
BALANCED CONNECTIONS. A premium feature not usually found in consumer audio gear,
balanced connections guard against induced noise and allow long cable runs without com-
promising sound quality. A balanced connection between the MC162 and the C42 Control
Center provides 40dB more noise protection than would an unbalanced (single-ended) connection.
REMOTE POWER CONTROL. This allows a McIntosh Control Center to turn the MC162 and
other system components on/off.
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About the MC162 Companion Products
The McIntosh products shown at right are logical companions for the MC162. Separate literature is
available. Check with your McIntosh dealer for any late additions. McIntosh speaker systems are
also covered in detail in separate literature.
C42 Control Center. With its balanced input, the MC162 will realize its full potential when paired with
the C42. Should the C42s transparency create a desire for more power, the MC162 can be bridged
to 500W (4 ohms).
MX132 A/V Control Center + Processor. The MC162 can serve as a premium Zone B amp for
the MX132, which has a balanced output. Balanced connections allow long cable runs without
compromising audio quality.
CR12 Multizone A/V Control Center. Multiple MC162 amps are a higher-power alternative to the
8-channel MC7108 amplifier typically employed in a CR12-based multizone system.
HT1 Loudspeaker. The 4-way HT1 has two 8-inch bass/mid drivers plus three high-frequency
drivers mounted in a patented rotatable baffle that allows the HT1 to be oriented either vertically
or horizontally.
SL6 Loudspeaker. The 4-way floorstanding SL6 features three 6.5-inch bass/mid drivers and three
high-frequency drivers. Its angled front allows placement parallel to and nearer the wall.
HT2 Passive Subwoofer. The HT2 was designed with the MC162 in mind. In bridged mode, the
MC162 delivers 500 watts to the HT2s dual 12-inch LD/HP
®bass drivers, resulting in deep,
well-controlled bass that will satisfy even large listening rooms.
MC162 Companions
C42 AUDIO CONTROL CENTER
MX132 A/V CONTROL CENTER
+ PROCESSOR
CR12 MULTIZONE
A/V CONTROL CENTER
SL6 LOUDSPEAKER HT1 LOUDSPEAKER
HT2 PASSIVE SUBWOOFER
M
ost consumer electronics products are necessarily viewed
as short-term investments because either they dont last
or they quickly become obsolete in some way. Coincidentally,
manufacturers supply a steady stream of new-and-improved
products that you can buy. Again.
Behind every McIntosh is a fifty-year heritage of excellence,
proudly carried forward by every employee. No productionlines, no price-point engineering, no planned obsolescence.
McIntosh equipment is made to sound better and last longer.
When McIntosh products are presented to customers, the
criteria they have been conditioned to overlook -“ reliability,
longevity, craftsmanship, ease-of-use, adaptability, pride of
ownership -“ suddenly leap to the top of their list.
The choice becomes clear: There is nothing like a McIntosh.
The patented McIntosh Power Guard in the MC162 provides real-time
clipping protection without affecting power output or sound quality.
a) test signal
b) overdriven amp without
Power Guard produces SEVERE clipping
c) overdriven amp with
Power Guard produces NO clipping
abc
As seen on the inside surface of this demonstration
piece, the screening processfor a McIntosh glass
panel entails as many as 12 individual layers.
The glass panels are cut
using a computer-controlled
high-pressure water jet.
