MC451 1-Channel Dual Mono Amplifier
MC2.1KW 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC901 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC1.25KW 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC611 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC451 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC3500 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER MKII - MC830 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC2301 1-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC462 2-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC312 2-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC1502 2-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER - MC275 2-CHANNEL AMPLIFIER
MC451: £16495
Includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance
Designed with bi-amping loudspeakers in mind
150 Watt vacuum tube amplifier and 300 Watt solid state amplifier on one chassis
Vacuum tube section powers mid and upper drivers
Solid state section drives power-hungry woofers
DualView™ Power Output Meter
A Stunning Sound Experience.
The MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier joins the MC901 in offering the ultimate solution to bi-amping a loudspeaker. Like the MC901, the MC451 uses our Hybrid Drive™ technology that combines a separate vacuum tube and solid-state amplifier onto one single chassis to produce the best possible sound performance from a bi-ampable speaker. Unlike the larger MC901, the MC451 has a more conventional McIntosh form factor and size, allowing it to fit into home audio systems, racks, and furniture more efficiently. Adding a pair of MC451s to your stereo system will allow your prized speakers to perform like never before.
A pair of MC451 Dual Mono Amplifiers powering a home audio system with bi-ampable XRT1.1K speakers.
"I’ve heard enough systems and recordings to know that the midrange and treble nuances provided by the MC451 will improve the musicality of a substantial number of high-end rigs and suit the personal taste of a wide range of audiophiles. It did an outstanding job amplifying every source I auditioned, from the latest LPs and SACD/DSD to high-resolution PCM recordings… Put as simply as possible, the MC451 sounds different enough to help redefine the state of the art for many high-end audiophiles." - The Absolute Sound
The MC451 comprises a 150-watt vacuum tube amplifier and a 300-watt solid-state amplifier, which is more than enough power to drive virtually all speakers.
The vacuum tube section drives the speaker's midranges and tweeters, while the solid state section drives the woofers. The 150 Watt vacuum tube amplifier is powered by four KT88 output tubes, which are located under a removable wire cage, plus two 12AT7 and one 12AX7A signal tubes; it uses our patented Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer to deliver its total 150 Watts into almost any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.
Similarly, the 300-watt solid-state amplifier delivers 300 Watts into a 2, 4 or 8-ohm impedance speaker via our Autoformer™ technology.
The two amplifiers in the MC451 are designed to work together in a synergistic relationship and are specifically engineered to assure that each only amplifies its intended frequencies. The large but quiet toroidal transformer generates enough power so that neither amplifier robs power or performance from the other. All of this results in easy bi-amping with unparalleled performance and sound reproduction from your speakers.
Bi-amping your speakers with the MC451 is easy. You no longer need to fiddle with two separate amplifiers, an external crossover, and a lot of trial and error to properly configure the two separate amplifiers, with often only middling results. The MC451 solves these hassles thanks to its internal, adjustable crossover. The MC451’s crossover tailors the output frequency range of each amplifier section to the attached loudspeaker. Set the CROSSOVER POINT knob on the back of the MC451 to the loudspeaker’s crossover point, then frequencies below the crossover point will be sent to the solid-state amplifier, and frequencies above it will be sent to the vacuum tube amplifier.
This adjustable crossover allows you to optimise the performance of both amplifier sections to your speaker's specifications and your listening preferences. Gain levels for the vacuum tube amplifier can be adjusted from -6dB to +3dB. A direct feed can also be connected to each amplifier section, thus bypassing the internal crossover.
The MC451 features our DualView™ Power Output Meter. The DualView meter features two of our traditional, fast-responding mechanical meters stacked above and below each other in a single meter window; one meter is dedicated to the 150-watt vacuum tube amp and the other to the 300-watt solid-state amp. Each meter operates independently of the other and displays the real-time power reading of each amplifier section.
In addition to everything already mentioned, the MC451 comes with a multitude of other McIntosh amplifier technologies:
Power Guard® that monitors and adjusts the input signal in the 300-watt solid state amplifier section in real-time, then makes inconspicuous volume adjustments to prevent harsh sounding distortion and potential speaker damaging clipping.
Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor® (SGS). The 150-watt vacuum tube amplifier section features our Power Guard SGS® technology. Power Guard SGS helps prevent premature vacuum tube failure by monitoring the screen grid current in the KT88 output vacuum tubes. If the current becomes too high, a circuit in Power Guard SGS is activated, which dynamically attenuates the input signal in real time to keep the vacuum tubes operating at safe levels.
Sentry Monitor™ observes the output current and shuts the amplifier off if it exceeds safe limits.
Power Control that can send power on/off signals to other connected McIntosh components for effortless system power up and shutdown.
Our patented, gold-plated Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts that easily and securely attach the speaker cables.
A McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsink™ that is connected to advanced high-current output transistors to cool the solid-state amplifier section efficiently.
Our Power Management System will turn the entire unit off after a set amount of time when no input signal has been detected.
McIntosh Solid Cinch speaker binding posts.
Familiar McIntosh design cues highlight the uncompromising fit and finish of the MC451. The front features a signature black glass faceplate with three clear windows that allow viewing of the vacuum tubes, the DualView meter, two rotary control knobs, an illuminated logo and lettering, and built-in aluminium handles. The top is highlighted by a series of block diagrams printed on glass inserts outlining the circuitry and specifications of the unit. All this sits atop a stainless steel chassis polished to a pristine mirror finish.
MC451 1-Channel Dual Mono Amplifier TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FTC Power Output Rating:
Solid State section: 300 W
Vacuum Tube section: 150 W
DAMPING FACTOR:
Solid State section: >40
Vacuum Tube section: >18
Total Harmonic Distortion (SS):
Solid State section: 300 W
Vacuum Tube section: 150 W
Total Harmonic Distortion (VT):
Solid State section: 0.005% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20kHz
Vacuum Tube section: 0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20kHz
Damping Factor:
Solid State section: >40
Vacuum Tube section: >18
Power Output per Channel:
Solid State section: 300 W into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
Vacuum Tube section: 150 W into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
S/N below rated output:
Solid State section: 118dB
Vacuum Tube section: 112dB
Rated Power Band:
Solid State section: 20Hz to 20kHz
Vacuum Tube section: 20Hz to 20kHz
Number of Channels:
1
Dynamic Headroom:
Solid State section: 2.5dB
Vacuum Tube section: 1.2dB
Frequency Response:
Solid State section:
+0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
Vacuum Tube section:
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 70kHz
WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOUR:
3 Years
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Circuit Configuration:
Solid State section: Push-Pull Complementary
Vacuum Tube section: Unity Coupled
Mono Parallel:
No
Meter Light Switch:
Yes
Illumination:
Direct LED
Circuit Design:
Solid State and Vacuum Tube
Output Type:
Solid State section: Autoformer™
Vacuum Tube section: Unity Coupled Output Transformer
Speaker Binding Post Type:
Patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
BALANCED INPUT:
2 (1 Solid State or Mono, 1 Vacuum Tube)
Chassis Style:
Polished stainless steel & black painted steel
Mono Bridge:
No
METERS:
DualView™ Power Output Meter
Front Panel:
Glass
Weights & DIMENSIONS
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D):
17-7/8" (45.4cm) x 11-13/16" (30cm) x 21-1/2" (54.6cm)
Unit Weight:
133 lbs (60.3 kg)
SHIPPING Weight:
159 lbs (72.1 kg)