The McIntosh MC462 amplifier is the most powerful device in the McIntosh two-channel power amplifier series. The McIntosh MC462 chassis is made of polished stainless steel. The stylish glass front includes fiber optic backlighting combined with LEDs and has aluminum handles on the sides for carrying and rack mounting. Two pointer wattmeters located on this front allow you to determine the output power as accurately as possible. Below is a handle that turns off their backlighting, and also activates one of their two operating modes – normal and Hold, used to determine peak power values. On the right is a handle for power supply and switching the McIntosh MC462 to the power control mode using other McIntosh components. Between the wattmeters are LED indicators of the Power Guard protection circuit.
The McIntosh MC462 amplifier uses a balanced topology of Quad Balanced circuits. The essence of this technology is that each channel has two amplifiers matched to each other, the outputs of which are combined with the Autoformer output autotransformers. As a result, the device easily develops 450 W per channel, while producing an impeccably clean sound with an insignificant amount of distortion (THD is only 0.005%).
On the upper platform of the McIntosh MC462 amplifier, a power transformer weighing almost 14 kg is installed. Adjacent to it is a pair of autotransformers with separate taps for loads of 2, 4 and 8 Ohms, which allow the power amplifier to work with any speakers. Next is the amplifier section with massive heat sinks. In the rear part, there is one linear and one balanced input, which are duplicated by similar outputs for connecting another power amplifier. There is also an input selector, a jack for remote control of the amplifier and a pair of jacks with which the McIntosh MC462 itself can activate the components connected to it.
The McIntosh MC462 amplifier’s output stages use powerful transistors with ThermalTrak technology for precise temperature control and efficient performance. For protection, a Power Guard circuit (prevents overload), a Thermal Protection circuit (prevents overheating) and a Sentry Monitor (monitors the output stage) are used. Located on the top platform of the case, 6 pairs of gold-plated terminals of a new type are used to connect speakers with an impedance of 2, 4 and 8 ohms.
The amplifier’s sound can be described as smooth, precise, rich and at the same time fast, with excellent macro- and microdynamics. The scene that this amplifier creates extends far beyond the speakers connected to it.
McIntosh MC462 Specifications
Power 450 watts per channel into 2, 4, or 8 ohms
Frequency Response 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+ 0, – 0.25 dB), 10 Hz – 100 kHz (+ 0, – 3 dB)
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.005%
Dynamic Headroom 1.8 dB
Input Sensitivity 2.1 V (RCA Input), 4.2 V (XLR Input)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (below rated output power) 124 dB
Input Impedance (XLR and RCA) 22 kOhm
Damping Factor Greater than 40
Gain 29 dB (8 Ohms), 26 dB (4 Ohms), and 23 dB (2 Ohms)
Output Autotransformers 2 pcs.
Peak output current 75 A
Pointer indicators 2 pcs., backlight, scale markings: watts and dB
Backlight LED, fiber optic
Inputs unbalanced RCA, balanced XLR
Outputs unbalanced RCA, balanced XLR
Speaker output 6 pairs of new type gold-plated terminals (separate terminals for speakers with impedance of 2, 4 and 8 ohms)
Other 1 input and 2 output connectors Power Control for remote control of on / off components
Power supply capacitors 4 pcs., energy reserve: more than 200 J
Power consumption about 1320 W; in standby: less than 0.5 W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 445x240x559 mm
Weight 49.9 kg
Share your thoughts on this product
Do you own this product or maybe have questions about it? Feel free to share your comments below.