McIntosh MC-1201 Brochure

MC1201
Monoblock
Power Amplifier

“the legendary MC1201—

the most

powerful

McIntosh

amplifier ever”

Producing a massive 1,200 watts, the MC1201 is the most powerful
amplifier ever created by McIntosh Laboratory. The extraordinary quad­differential design of the MC1201 actually consists of two complete
amplifier circuits, one the mirror image of the other, whose outputs are
combined in the unique McIntosh Output Autoformer, resulting in totally
balanced operation from input to speaker output and the cancellation of
virtually all distortion.

The McIntosh Autoformer, a hand-crafted transformer with output con­nections for two, four and eight ohms, creates an ideal impedance match
to guard against distortion and reduction in power. A McIntosh amplifier
with an Autoformer can also safely drive multiple speakers connected in
parallel, without shortening the life expectancy of the output stage. Far
from exacting any performance penalty, the Autoformer’s frequency
response exceeds that of the output circuit, and extends well beyond the
audible range, for almost immeasurably low distortion.

Double-Balanced Push-Pull Design
Exclusive McIntosh Output Autoformer
Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System

Power Guard Clipping Protection
Sentry Monitor Current Protection
Thermal Cutout
DC Failure Protection
Turn-On Delay

Soft Start Inrush Protection
Illuminated Peak-Responding Wattmeter
Balanced Connections
Remote Power Control

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York 13903-2699

Tel [phone] • US Toll-Free [phone] • Fax: [phone]• www.mcintoshlabs.com

For the Consumer’s Protection: In order to ensure highest customer satisfaction, new McIntosh products may
only be purchased over the counter at Authorized McIntosh Dealers and not by mail, telephone or via the inter­net. Products purchased by mail, telephone or via the internet are presumed to be used and are not covered by
any McIntosh Warranty. McIntosh does not warrant, in any way, products that are purchased from anyone who
is not an Authorized McIntosh Dealer or products that have had their serial number altered or defaced.

MC1201

Monoblock

Power Amplifier

EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH POWER

ASSURANCE SYSTEM

A collection of technologies that

enhance performance and

reliability and protect the amp and

the loudspeakers.

Power Guard clipping protection

A waveform comparson circuit

continuously monitors both input

and output signals and dynamically

adjusts the input level to insure

maximum output power while

preventing harsh sounding

clipping distortion.

Sentry Monitor current protection

continually senses the voltage and

current of the output stage and

confines it to a safe limit, without

limiting power output.

Thermal cutouts protect your amp

from overheating if cooling air is

blocked and transistors

become too hot.

DC failure protection guards

speakers against output circuit

failure. The output autoformer

prevents DC from reaching

the speaker.

Turn-on delay delays operation for

about two seconds after turn-on, to

silence any pops or thumps

generated by other equipment.

Soft Start inrush protection

eliminates component stress

during turn-on. Thermistors in the

power transformer act as a

cushion against inrush current.

Soft Start is one of many details
that contribute to the remarkable
longevity of McIntosh equipment.

Double balanced push-pull design

1 x 1,200 watts (8/4/2 ohms)

High output current capability (> 200 amps)

Balanced and unbalanced inputs

Exclusive McIntosh output autoformer

Wide power bandwidth, ultra-low distortion

Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System

Illuminated peak-responding wattmeter with hold

Regulated illumination

Remote power control

Massive gold-plated five-way output binding posts

Fanless convection cooling

Modular construction with stainless steel chassis

1/2"-thick glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

20Hz to 20kHz, +0 / -0.25dB
10Hz to 100kHz, +0 / -3.0dB

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION

0.005% max. at any level from
250mW to rated power output

INTERMODULATION DISTORTION

SMPTE 0.005% maximum if
instantaneous peak output does
not exceed twice the output rating

A-WEIGHTED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO

Bal.: 124dB below rated output
Unbal.: 120dB below rated output

RMS POWER OUTPUT (8/4/2 OHMS)

1,200W min. sine wave continuous
average power output from 20Hz to
20kHz

INPUT IMPEDANCE

10k ohms

OUTPUT LOAD IMPEDANCE

Terminals for 8, 4, or 2 ohms

INPUT SENSITIVITY

2.45V unbalanced

4.9V balanced

WIDE BAND DAMPING FACTOR

100 (8 ohms)

DYNAMIC HEADROOM

2.1dB

RATED POWER BAND

20Hz to 20kHz

POWER GUARD

Clipping is prevented and THD does
not exceed 2% with up to14dB
overdrive at 1kHz

POWER REQUIREMENTS

120V 50/60Hz, 15A

DIMENSIONS (H X W X D)

inch: 11 x 17.75 x 19.63
cm: 27.9 x 45 x 49.9
Panel clearance required in front of
mounting panel is 1

3

⁄4 inches (4.5 cm)

for handles

WEIGHT

147 lbs. (66.8kg) net
172 lbs. (78.2kg) boxed

9.02.MC1201.20k.MSP 35001800