MC901 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
MC901: £22995
Includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance
The ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers: 300 Watt vacuum tube amplifier and 600 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
McIntosh has been perfecting vacuum tube amplifiers since the 1940s and solid-state amplifiers since the 1960s. Our amplifiers have been used at many historic events, including presidential inaugurations and Woodstock, as well as in landmark sound systems like the Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound and Despacio. From that heritage comes a truly one-of-a-kind home audio amplifier only we could dream of, design and build as the ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers: the McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier.
The MC901 is a monoblock amplifier that drives a single speaker. But it is unlike any other monoblock amplifier. What makes the MC901 so unique is its two amplifiers combined into one. Adding to the uniqueness is that each amplifier has differing design philosophies: the MC901 consists of a 300-watt vacuum tube amplifier attached to a 600-watt solid-state amplifier on one unified chassis.
The MC901 includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. The 300-watt vacuum tube portion powers the speaker's mid and upper drivers via eight KT88 output tubes, plus four 12AT7 and two 12AX7A signal tubes; the solid state section delivers 600 Watts of dedicated power to the power-hungry woofers. The 300 Watt vacuum tube amp in the MC901 uses our patented Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer – the same technology McIntosh was founded on in 1949 – to deliver its total 300 Watts into almost any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance. Similarly, the 600-watt solid state amp delivers its total 600 Watts into a 2, 4 or 8-ohm impedance speaker via our Autoformer™ technology.
Four KT88 output tubes, two 12AT7 and one 12AX7A signal tubes are located on each the left and right side of the MC901.
Vacuum tubes do not perform at their best when they are amplifying lower frequencies that are not being used by the loudspeaker. With the MC901, the vacuum tube amp will not be burdened with low-end reproduction as the solid state section will drive these frequencies. The two amplifier sections of the MC901 are designed to work together in a synergistic relationship and are specifically engineered to ensure that each section only amplifies its intended frequencies. Each amplifier section has its discrete power supply, so neither siphons power or performance away from the other. All of this results in easy bi-amping with unparalleled performance and sound reproduction from your speakers.
The back of the MC901 includes diagrams showing how to connect your system and Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts. As a Quad Balanced, dual mono amplifier, there are positive and negative connections for each speaker impedance of 2, 4 or 8 Ohms for both the vacuum tube and solid state sections.
Vacuum tubes do not perform at their best when they are amplifying lower frequencies that are not being used by the loudspeaker. With the MC901, the vacuum tube amp will not be burdened with low-end reproduction as the solid state section will drive these frequencies. The two amplifier sections of the MC901 are designed to work together in a synergistic relationship and are specifically engineered to ensure that each section only amplifies its intended frequencies. Each amplifier section has its discrete power supply, so neither siphons power or performance away from the other. All of this results in easy bi-amping with unparalleled performance and sound reproduction from your speakers.
The adjustable crossover filter controls are located on the top rear of the MC901.
Prior to the MC901, bi-amping a speaker required two separate amplifiers. It also required an external crossover, along with a lot of trial and error, to properly configure the two detached amplifiers so they worked together as best as possible. The MC901 solves this issue thanks to its internal, adjustable crossover with the controls easily accessible on the top of the unit. These adjustable crossover filters allow you to optimize the performance of both amplifier sections to your listening preferences. Relative gain levels for each amplifier section can be adjusted from -6dB to +3dB. A direct feed can also be connected to each amplifier section, thus bypassing the filters.
DualView™ Power Output Meter. The top meter is dedicated to the 300-watt vacuum tube amp, and the bottom meter to the 600-watt solid state amp.
Like virtually all McIntosh amplifiers, the MC901 features an iconic "McIntosh Blue" Watt meter, which has come to be recognised worldwide as a symbol of quality home audio. And just like the MC901 itself is a new design, so is its meter with the introduction of our new 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 300-watt vacuum tube amp and the other to the 600-watt solid-state amp. Each meter operates independently of the other and displays the real-time power reading of each amplifier section.
McIntosh Solid Cinch speaker binding posts.
While an entirely new design, the MC901 comes with the technology one would expect from a McIntosh amplifier:
Power Guard® monitors and adjusts the input signal in the 600-watt solid state amplifier section in real-time, then makes unobtrusive adjustments to prevent harsh sounding distortion and potential speaker damaging clipping.
Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor™ (SGS). The 300-watt vacuum tube amplifier section of the MC901 breaks new ground as it's our first amplifier to feature our new 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.
Quad Balanced design that cancels virtually all noise and distortion that may have crept into the audio signal.
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 easily and securely attach the speaker cables.
McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ that are connected to advanced high current output transistors efficiently cool the solid-state amplifier section.
Our Power Management System will turn the entire unit off after a set time when no input signal has been detected.
Although the MC901 may look different from any McIntosh product before, a glance reveals signature McIntosh design cues. The top is highlighted by a series of diagrams printed on glass that outline the basic circuitry and specifications of the unit, along with a glass nameplate trimmed with a circular aluminium ring that's finished to match the front panel endcaps. The sides are adorned with vintage McIntosh-styled die-cast aluminium name badges. Two classic McIntosh knobs are located on the front of the polished stainless steel chassis, and direct LED backlighting illuminates the DualView meter, McIntosh logo and the lettering on the black glass front panel.
MC901 1-Channel Dual Mono Amplifier TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
FTC Power Output Rating:
Solid State section: 600 W
Vacuum Tube section: 300 W
DAMPING FACTOR:
Solid State section: >40
Vacuum Tube section: >18
Total Harmonic Distortion (SS):
Solid State section: 0.005% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion (VT):
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: 600 W into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
Vacuum Tube section: 300 W into 2, 4 or 8 ohms
S/N below rated output:
Solid State section: 122dB
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: Quad Balanced
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:
3 (1 Solid State, 1 Vacuum Tube, 1 Composite)
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):
17-17/32" (44.5cm) x 13-3/8" (34cm) x 29-17/32" (75cm)
Unit Weight:
180 lbs (81.6 kg)
SHIPPING Weight:
200 lbs (90.7 kg)