McIntosh MC-122 Brochure

MC122 Power Amplifier

See “SYSTEMS ENGINEERING”

in main brochure for more on

McIntosh system architectures.

MC122

Power Amplifier

njoy traditional McIntosh excellence in the compact MC122 power amplifier.
Like its larger siblings, the MC122 features Power Assurance, which maxi-

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mizes clean power output and ensures many years of reliable operation. With
an invitingly modest price, the MC122 makes it easier than ever to join the
extended family of satisfied McIntosh owners.

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

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

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.

REMOTE POWER CONTROL. This allows a McIntosh Control Center to turn the MC122
and other system components on/off.

®

clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always

®

current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current

About the MC122 Companion Products

The McIntosh products shown at right are logical companions for the MC122. Separate literature is
available. Check with your McIntosh dealer for any late additions. McIntosh speaker systems are
also covered in detail in separate literature.

C15 Control Center. The C15’s extensive capabilities make it the ideal centerpiece for what may
begin as a pure stereo system and evolve into a dual-zone audio/video system with the addition
of the MVS3 A/V Selector.

MX132 A/V Control Center + Processor. The MC122 can be used as a high-quality Zone B amp
for the MX132.

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.

SL4 Loudspeaker. The 3-way floorstanding SL4 features two 6.5-inch bass/mid drivers and an
angled front that allows placement parallel to and nearer the wall.

SL1 Powered Subwoofer. Designed to complement the SL4 or HT1, the 250-watt SL1 uses a 12-inch

®

LD/HP

driver that delivers ultra-low-distortion bass down to 20Hz.

MC122 Companions

C15 PREAMPLIFIER

MX132 A/V CONTROL CENTER

+ PROCESSOR

HT1 LOUDSPEAKER

abc

The patented McIntosh Power Guard in the MC122 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

As seen on the inside surface of this demonstration
piece, the screening process for a McIntosh glass
panel entails as many as 12 individual layers.

The glass panels are cut

using a computer-controlled

high-pressure water jet.

SL4 LOUDSPEAKER

SL1 POWERED SUBWOOFER

ost consumer electronics products are necessarily viewed
as short-term investments because either they don’t last

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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 production

lines, 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.

MC122 Power Amplifier

POWER

CONTROL

INPUTS

OUTPUTS

LEVEL

RIGHT LEFT

2.0V

LR

L

OUTIN

R

2.0V

.9V .9V

McINTOSH LABORAATORY INC., BINGHAMTON, NY 13903

MADE IN USA

MC122 POWER AMPLIFIER

WARNING

SHOCK HAZARD ­DO NOT OPEN. FOR CONTINUED
PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE HAZARD
REPLACE ONLY WITH SAME TYPE AND
RATING FUSE

AVIS

RISQUE DE CHOC ­ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR.
REMPLACER PAR UN FUSIBLE DE
MEME TYPE, AMPERAGE ET VOLTAGE.

5A 250V SLO-BLO

120V 50/60HZ 2.5A

SERIAL
NUMBER

FEATURES

2 x 120 watts (4 ohms) or 2 x 80 watts (8 ohms)

Wide power bandwidth

Ultra-low distortion

Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System:

Power Guard®clipping protection
Sentry Monitor
Thermal Cutout
Turn-On Delay
Soft Start inrush protection

Low-noise toroid power transformer

Remote power control

Input-level gain adjustments

Gold-plated high-current output terminals

Fanless convection cooling

Modular construction with steel chassis

Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature

®

current protection

SPECIFICATIONS

RMS Power Output

120 watts (4Ω) or 80 watts (8Ω) minimum

sine wave continuous average power
output per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz
with both channels operating

Output Load Impedance

8 or 4 ohms

Rated Power Band

20Hz to 20kHz

Peak Output Current

> 18 amperes

Total Harmonic Distortion

0.005% maximum at any level from
250 milliwatts to rated power output
per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with
all channels operating

Intermodulation Distortion

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

Dynamic Headroom

1.6dB

Frequency Response

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

Input Sensitivity

0.8V (2.5V at gain control center detent)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

110dB below rated output

Damping Factor

200 (8 ohms)
100 (4 ohms)

tel [phone]

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

• U.S. toll-free (888) 979–3737 • fax [phone] • www.mcintoshlabs.com

Input Impedance

10k ohms

Power Guard®

Clipping is prevented and THD
does not exceed 2% with up to
14dB overdrive at 1kHz

Power Requirements

120V 50/60Hz, 2.8A

Dimensions (h x w x d)

inch: 3.625 x 17.5 x 17.5
cm: 9.2 x 44.5 x 44.5

Weight

24 lbs. (10.9kg) net
39 lbs. (17.7kg) shipping

0999.MC122.10k.essecomm