McIntosh MC462 - 2-Channel Power Amplifier for Stereo and Home Theater

The McIntosh MC462 is a solid-state power amplifier for high-quality 2-channel audio systems and home theater systems. It replaces the MC452 as McIntosh's most powerful stereo amplifier and is designed for operation with an audio preamplifier or an A/V Control Center.

Autoformer™ for Flexible Speaker Connection

Each audio channel operates with its own McIntosh Autoformer™. This allows the MC462 to be used with suitable speaker terminals for different speaker impedances. The patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts hold speaker cables securely and firmly, ensuring a reliable connection in everyday use.

Quad Balanced Design for a Clean Signal

The Quad Balanced Design reduces noise and distortion that can enter the audio signal.

Protection Circuits for Amplifier and Speakers

Power Guard® monitors the input signal in real time and prevents harsh-sounding and potentially speaker-damaging clipping. Sentry Monitor™ protects the output stage from short circuits without a fuse and automatically resets once safe operating conditions are restored. This is supplemented by Thermal Protection and the McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ for controlled heat dissipation.

Operation Directly on the Device and in the System Network

The MC462 can be operated manually via the POWER switch or switched on and off together with suitable McIntosh components via Power Control. The METER switch controls the display of the blue power meters, including lighting, normal display, and hold mode. Additionally, the Auto-Off function can be activated or deactivated.

Connections for Classic Stereo Setups and Extensions

The McIntosh MC462 offers balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs. This allows preamplifiers or A/V Control Centers to be integrated, additional power amplifiers to be controlled, or setups with bi-amping or tri-amping to be created.

Placement and System Planning

For practical use, stable placement is particularly important, as the amplifier has a high device weight. When installing in furniture or a rack, the designated ventilation clearances must be observed to ensure reliable heat dissipation.

Classic McIntosh Optics with Modern Execution

The MC462 stands on a polished stainless steel chassis and features McIntosh's typical black glass front. Direct LED backlighting, an illuminated logo, aluminum handles, and the fast-reacting blue power meters define its appearance. The amplifier was listed as a Stereophile Recommended Component 2021–2022 and received the 2021 Sound + Image Award and the 2021 Golden Ear Award from AUDIO Magazine.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Reasons to choose the McIntosh MC462:

• 2-channel power amplifier for stereo and home theater systems
• Quad Balanced Design
• McIntosh Autoformer™ per audio channel
• Power Guard®, Sentry Monitor™, and Thermal Protection
• Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs
• Power Control for system control with suitable McIntosh components
• Classic McIntosh optics with glass front, illuminated logo, and blue power meters

Things to know about the McIntosh MC462 before buying:

• The high device weight requires stable placement
• When installing in furniture or planning a rack, ventilation clearances must be planned for

Specifications

General

• Product Type: 2-Channel Power Amplifier / Stereo Power Amplifier
• Circuit Design: Solid State
• Circuit Configuration: Quad Balanced
• Number of Channels: 2
• Output Type: Autoformer™
• Mono Bridge: no
• Mono Parallel: no
• Front Panel: Glass with handles
• Illumination: Direct LED
• Chassis: polished stainless steel and black painted steel
• Power Meters: yes
• Meter Light Switch: yes
• Dimensions W × H × D: 44.45 × 23.97 × 57.2 cm
• Weight: 52.3 kg

Audio

• FTC Power Output Rating: 450 W
• Power Output per Channel: 450 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: 3.0 dB
• Frequency Response: +0, -0.25 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Frequency Response: +0, -3.0 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 95 dB balanced, 122 dB below rated output
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 93 dB unbalanced, 120 dB below rated output
• Intermodulation Distortion: 0.005 % maximum
• Wide Band Damping Factor: greater than 40
• Input Sensitivity: 4.2 V balanced, 2.1 V unbalanced
• Input Impedance: 22,000 Ohms balanced, 22,000 Ohms unbalanced
• Voltage Gain: 29 dB into 8 Ohms, 26 dB into 4 Ohms, 23 dB into 2 Ohms
• Power Guard: less than 2 % Total Harmonic Distortion with up to 14 dB overdrive signal

Connectivity

• Balanced Inputs: 2
• Unbalanced Inputs: 2
• Balanced Outputs: 2
• Unbalanced Outputs: 2
• Speaker Terminals: patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
• 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 from power on
• Input Mode Switch: Balanced or Unbalanced
• XLR Pin 1: Shield/Ground
• XLR Pin 2: + Input/Output
• XLR Pin 3: - Input/Output

Features and Operation

• Power Guard®: present
• Sentry Monitor™: present
• Thermal Protection: present
• Monogrammed Heatsinks™: present
• Power Control: present
• Auto Off Mode Switch: Enabled or Disabled
• Power Save Circuitry: Standby after approximately 30 minutes without audio input signal
• METER Switch: Lights Off, Watts, Hold
• POWER Switch: AC Power Off, Remote, AC Power On
• Eco-friendly Power Management System: present

Power Supply

• AC voltage conversion on site: not possible
• 100 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 12 A
• 110 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 11 A
• 120 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 10 A
• 127 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 10 A
• 220 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 6 A
• 230 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 6 A
• 240 V ~ 50/60 Hz at 6 A
• Standby: less than 0.5 W
• Correct Voltage: to be checked via the back of the unit

Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions W × H × D: 44.45 × 23.97 × 57.2 cm, including feet, front panel, handles and cables
• Net weight: 52.3 kg
• Shipping weight: 67.3 kg
• Shipping carton W × D × H: 74.93 × 73.66 × 43.18 cm

Additional Technical Data

• Filter capacity compared to MC452: increased by almost 50%
• Dynamic Headroom compared to MC452: increased from 1.8 dB to 3.0 dB
• Internal wiring: upgraded
• Selected circuit components: upgraded
• Cooling: Convection cooling without fans
• Heatsink area: more than 2800 square inches
• Main filter capacitors: over 350 Joules of energy storage
• Peak output current: 75 Amperes per channel

Scope of Delivery

• McIntosh MC462
• Power cable
• McIntosh key for speaker terminals
• Documents

• Anleitung
• Broschüre
• Datenblatt