McIntosh MC312 - 2-Channel Power Amplifier for Hi-Fi and Home Theater

The McIntosh MC312 is a solid-state power amplifier for 2-channel audio systems and home theater systems. In a classic hi-fi system, it handles the final amplification of the loudspeakers; in a home theater system, it can be integrated as a high-quality 2-channel power amplifier. The black glass front, the illuminated logo, the aluminum end caps, and the fast-responding blue watt meters ensure the typical McIntosh appearance.

Autoformer™ for various Loudspeaker Concepts

McIntosh Autoformer™ technology is designed for loudspeakers with different impedances. This facilitates the integration of various loudspeakers, without making the correct connection assignment a trivial matter.

Protection Technology for Reliable Operation

Power Guard® monitors the input signal and makes real-time adjustments to prevent clipping. Sentry Monitor™ protects the output stage without fuses from short-circuit conditions and automatically resets as soon as safe operating conditions are restored. Additionally, thermal protection circuits are present to protect against overheating.

Connections for Flexible System Concepts

The MC312 offers balanced and unbalanced inputs as well as corresponding outputs. This enables system concepts such as bi-amping, tri-amping, connecting to a second system, or connecting an active subwoofer, provided the entire system is set up appropriately. The patented Solid Cinch™ speaker terminals securely fasten speaker cables and are gold-plated.

Operation Directly on the Device and via Power Control

On the device, there is a power switch, a meter switch, and an input mode switch for selecting between balanced and unbalanced. Via Power Control, the MC312 can be switched on and off together with connected McIntosh components. The illumination of the watt meters can be switched off; there is also an auto-off function with power-saving standby after a longer signal pause.

Classic McIntosh Design with Practical Setup

The MC312 stands on a polished stainless steel chassis with black painted steel sections and features the distinctive McIntosh glass front. The direct LED backlighting improves the color representation of the front. For installation in furniture or cabinets, adequate ventilation must be planned; the technical data includes the specified minimum clearances.

Excellent Stereo Power Amplifier

The MC312 was awarded "Best Stereo Power Amplifier of 2019". This underscores its claim as a high-quality McIntosh power amplifier for systems where performance, protection technology, connection versatility, and craftsmanship are considered together.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Reasons to choose the McIntosh MC312:

• 2-channel power amplifier for hi-fi and home theater systems
• Autoformer™ technology for different speaker impedances
• Power Guard® against clipping
• Sentry Monitor™ as a fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit
• Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs
• Power Control for integration into McIntosh systems
• Patented Solid Cinch™ speaker terminals
• Classic McIntosh look with glass front, illuminated logo, and blue watt meters
• Award "Best Stereo Power Amplifier of 2019"

What you should know about the McIntosh MC312:

• At 47.63 kg, the MC312 requires a stable placement.
• Mono Bridge and Mono Parallel are not available.
• Multi-Channel DB25 is not available.
• Correct assignment of speaker terminals to speaker impedance is important.
• For furniture or cabinet installation, the specified minimum clearances for ventilation must be planned.

Specifications

General

• Product type: 2-Channel Power Amplifier / Stereo Power Amplifier
• Type / Design: Solid State
• Circuit configuration: Push-Pull Complementary
• Circuit design: Solid State
• Dimensions W × H × D: 44.45 × 23.97 × 55.88 cm
• Weight: 47.63 kg
• Shipping weight: 62.59 kg
• Shipping carton W × H × D: 74.93 × 43.18 × 73.66 cm
• Front panel: Glass
• Illumination: Direct LED
• Chassis: Polished stainless steel and black painted steel
• Manufacturer's warranty: 3-year limited warranty
• Award: "Best Stereo Power Amplifier of 2019"

Connections

• Balanced Inputs: 2
• Unbalanced Inputs: 2
• Balanced Outputs: 2
• Unbalanced Outputs: 2
• Speaker Connectors: Patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
• Power Control Input: Yes
• Power Control Output 1 and 2: Yes
• Input Mode Switch: Balanced or Unbalanced
• Multi-Channel DB25 Cable: N/A

Features and Operation

• Autoformer™: Yes
• Power Guard®: Yes
• Sentry Monitor™: Yes
• Monogrammed Heatsinks™: Yes
• Power Control: Yes
• Power Switch: Off, Remote, On
• Meter: Yes
• Meter Light Switch: Yes
• Meter Switch: Selects display modes for output power meters and illumination
• Auto Off: Enable / Disable
• Power-Save Standby: After approximately 30 minutes without audio input signal
• Speaker output muted for approximately 2 seconds when turned on

Audio

• Number of Channels: 2
• FTC Power Output Rating: 300 W
• Power per Channel: 300 W into 2, 4 or 8 Ohms
• Output Load Impedance: 2, 4 or 8 Ohms
• Rated Power Band: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005 %
• Dynamic Headroom: 2.3 dB
• Dynamic Headroom compared to previous model: increased from 1.8 dB to 2.3 dB
• Frequency Response: +0, -0.25 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Extended Frequency Response: +0, -3.0 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz
• Input Sensitivity for Rated Output: 3.4 V Balanced, 1.7 V Unbalanced
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio below Rated Output: 120 dB Balanced, 118 dB Unbalanced
• A-Weighted Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 95 dB Balanced, 93 dB Unbalanced
• Intermodulation Distortion: 0.005 % maximum
• Damping Factor: >40 Wideband
• Input Impedance: 22,000 Ohms Balanced, 22,000 Ohms Unbalanced
• Voltage Gain: 29 dB at 8 Ohms, 26 dB at 4 Ohms, 23 dB at 2 Ohms
• Power Guard: Less than 2% Total Harmonic Distortion with up to 14 dB Overdrive Signal
• Mono Bridge: No
• Mono Parallel: No

Power Supply

• Power Control Input: 5–15 VDC, less than 1 mA
• Power Control Output 1 and 2: 12 VDC, 50 mA maximum total
• Power Control Output Delay: 0.2 seconds after power on
• Mains Voltage: Factory configured, field conversion not possible
• Possible Mains Voltage Variants: 100 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 8 A; 110 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 6.6 A; 120 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 6.6 A; 127 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 6.6 A; 220 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 3.6 A; 230 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 3.3 A; 240 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 3.3 A
• Standby: Less than 0.5 W
• Specific Voltage Variant of the Device: To be checked on the rear panel of the respective version

Installation and Mounting

• Freestanding on table or shelf: Possible
• Custom installation in furniture or cabinet: Possible
• Minimum clearance above when installed: 15.24 cm
• Minimum clearance below when installed: 5.08 cm
• Minimum clearance behind rear panel when installed: 7.62 cm
• Minimum side clearance when installed: 5.08 cm each
• Front clearance when installed: 2.22 cm
• Direct installation over heat-generating components: Not recommended
  
  

Scope of Delivery

• McIntosh MC312
• Power cable
• Power control cable
• Documents

• Datenblatt
• Anleitung
• Broschüre