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MC602 Power Amplifier
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MC602
Power Amplifier
See “SYSTEMS ENGINEERING”
in main brochure for more on
McIntosh system architectures.
The “Bifilar” winding technique
used in the making of autoformers
earned McIntosh one of its first
patents. The design is so advanced
it is still used today.
he MC602 is the most powerful stereo amplifier ever produced by McIntosh!
It delivers 1.2 kilowatts of unrestrained power with the finesse of a dancer.
T
The double-balanced design – possible only with the exclusive McIntosh output
autoformer – all but eliminates distortion. If you can imagine a truck-pull contest
using Ferraris, then you can appreciate the MC602’s capacity to astonish.
Featured Technologies
DOUBLE-BALANCED PUSH-PULL DESIGN. The MC602 is fully balanced from input to
speaker output. Matched amplifiers operate in complimentary push-pull with their outputs
combined in the McIntosh autoformer. The resulting double-balanced configuration cancels
virtually all distortion. This circuit design is possible only with the McIntosh autoformer.
DUAL POWER SUPPLIES. Each channel of the MC602 has its own power supply, ensuring
optimum performance.
EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH OUTPUT AUTOFORMERS. An impedance mismatch between an
amplifier and loudspeaker can cause distortion and a reduction in power. The legendary
McIntosh autoformer is a hand-crafted transformer with output connections for 2, 4, and 8 ohms,
allowing an ideal impedance match. A McIntosh amplifier with an autoformer can also safely
drive multiple speakers connected in parallel without shortening the life expectancy of the output
stage. There is absolutely no performance penalty with an autoformer. In fact, its frequency
response exceeds that of the output circuit itself, and extends well beyond the audible range.
Distortion is so low it is virtually immeasurable.
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.
®
clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always
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About the MC602 Companion Products
The McIntosh products shown at right are logical companions for the MC602. Separate literature is
available. Check with your McIntosh dealer for any late additions. McIntosh speaker systems are
also covered in detail in separate literature.
C100 Preamplifier/Controller. One of the finest power amplifiers McIntosh has ever produced
deserves an equally fine partner. The dual-chassis, fully balanced C100 is virtually devoid of any
measurable noise.
C42 Audio Control Center. The C42 and MC602 form a high-power, balanced audio system with
“state-of-the-McIntosh” performance.
®
XRT25, XRT26 Loudspeakers. The stunning XRT loudspeakers feature patented LD/HP
and midrange drivers plus multi-tweeter Line Source columns that increase power handling,
minimize distortion, and control vertical dispersion. Useable bass response extends down to 20Hz.
bass
MC602 Companions
C100 PREAMPLIFIER/CONTROLLER
C42 AUDIO CONTROL CENTER
abc
The patented McIntosh Power Guard in the MC602
provides real-time clipping protection without affecting
power output or sound quality.
a) test signal
b) overdriven amp without Power Guard produces
SEVERE clipping distortion
c) overdriven amp with Power Guard produces
NO clipping distortion
Featured Technologies (cont’d.)
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.
DC Failure protection. In the rare event of an output circuit failure, any DC current that
appears in the output is shunted to ground by the autoformer, protecting the speakers from damage.
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 WATTMETERS. The output in watts of any amp depends
on loudspeaker impedance, which varies considerably with the frequency content of music.
Conventional output meters may display “watts” but they actually measure output voltage
because they assume a fixed impedance. McIntosh wattmeters display real output in watts, and
thus indicate the real power required to drive a particular speaker. McIntosh wattmeters
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 MC602 and the C100 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 MC602 and
other system components on/off.
®
current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current
XRT25 LOUDSPEAKER
XRT26 LOUDSPEAKER
ost consumer electronics products are necessarily viewed
as short-term investments because either they don’t last
M
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.
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MC602 Power Amplifier
FEATURES
Double-balanced push-pull design
2 x 600 watts (8/4/2 ohms)
Balanced input
Exclusive McIntosh output autoformers
Dual high-voltage power supplies
Wide power bandwidth
Ultra-low distortion
Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System:
Power Guard
Sentry Monitor®current protection
Thermal Cutout
DC Failure protection
Turn-On Delay
Soft Start inrush protection
Illuminated peak-responding wattmeters with hold
Remote power control
Gold-plated high-current output terminals
Fanless convection cooling
Modular construction with stainless-steel chassis
Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature
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clipping protection
SPECIFICATIONS
RMS Power Output (8/4/2 ohms)
600 watts minimum sine wave continuous
average power output per channel from
20Hz to 20kHz with both channels
operating
Output Load Impedance
2, 4, or 8 ohms
Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20kHz
Peak Output Current
> 150 amperes
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005% maximum at any level from
250 milliwatts to rated power output
per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with
both channels operating
Intermodulation Distortion
0.005% maximum if instantaneous peak
power output does not exceed twice the
output power rating
Dynamic Headroom
2.1dB
Frequency Response
20Hz to 20kHz, +0 / -0.25dB
10Hz to 100kHz, +0 / -3.0dB
Input Sensitivity
Unbalanced: 2.45V
Balanced: 4.9V
S/N Ratio (A-Weighted)
Unbalanced:
93dB (120dB below rated output)
Balanced:
97dB (124dB below rated output)
tel (607) 723–3512
McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York 13903
• U.S. toll-free (888) 979–3737 • fax (607) 772–3308 • www.mcintoshlabs.com
Damping Factor
100 (8 ohms)
Input Impedance
Unbalanced: 10k ohms
Balanced: 22k ohms
Power Guard®
Clipping is prevented and THD does not
exceed 2% with up to 14dB 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 45.1 x 49.8
handle clearance: 1.75" (4.4 cm)
Weight
155 lbs. (70.4kg) net
180 lbs. (81.8kg) shipping
1299.MC602.10k.essecomm
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