McIntosh MC-162 Brochure

MC162 Power Amplifier

MC162

Power Amplifier

he MC162 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. At first glance, it’s a moderately powerful
(160W per channel) stereo amplifier that will meet the needs of most serious

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listeners. Look closer and you’ll 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

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.

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 com­promising 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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clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always

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current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current

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 C42’s 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 HT2’s dual 12-inch LD/HP
well-controlled bass that will satisfy even large listening rooms.

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bass drivers, resulting in deep,

MC162 Companions

C42 AUDIO CONTROL CENTER

MX132 A/V CONTROL CENTER

+ PROCESSOR

CR12 MULTIZONE

A/V CONTROL CENTER

abc

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

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.

HT1 LOUDSPEAKER

SL6 LOUDSPEAKER

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

HT2 PASSIVE SUBWOOFER

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.

MC162 Power Amplifier

FEATURES

Stereo: 2 x 160 watts (4 ohms) or 2 x 100 watts (8 ohms)

Bridged: 1 x 500 watts (4 ohms) or 1 x 320 watts (8 ohms)

Balanced input

Wide power bandwidth

Ultra-low distortion

Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System:

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

Illuminated peak-responding meters with hold

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

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clipping protection

SPECIFICATIONS

RMS Power Output

Min. sine wave continuous average power
output per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz
with all channels operating -

Stereo: 160W (4Ω) or 100W (8Ω)

per channel

Bridged: 500W (4Ω) or 320W (8Ω)

Output Load Impedance

8 or 4 ohms

Rated Power Band

20Hz to 20kHz

Peak Output Current

> 25 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

0.9V (2.0V at gain control center detent)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

110dB below rated output

Damping Factor

200 (8 ohms)
100 (4 ohms)

Input Impedance

10k ohms unbalanced
22k ohms balanced

Power Guard®

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

Power Requirements

120V 50/60Hz, 5A

Dimensions (h x w x d)

inch: 5.375 x 17.5 x 18.5
cm: 13.7 x 44.5 x 47
knob clearance: 1.125" (2.9 cm)

Weight

42 lbs. (19.1kg) net
60 lbs. (27.2kg) shipping

tel [phone]

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

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

0999.MC162.10k.essecomm