McIntosh MC257 7-Channel Power Amplifier for High-Quality Home Theater

The McIntosh MC257 is a 7-channel power amplifier for home theater systems. With its seven channels, either a complete surround sound system can be powered, or the power can be flexibly distributed across multiple listening zones.

Meters with Switchable Illumination

The TripleView™ Power Output Meter displays the power of the three front channels in real time and defines the classic McIntosh front panel. The illumination can be switched off so that it does not distract from the TV or projection screen during movie night.

Silent Fanless Cooling

Five McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™ efficiently and silently cool the amplifier. Since no fans are needed, there are no annoying fan noises that could interfere with the movie sound. Additionally, the specially wound toroidal isolation transformer contributes to quiet operation.

Placement and Ventilation

Due to its heavy weight of approximately 43 kg, placement should be carefully planned. Free placement on the floor is always possible. Any hi-fi rack must be designed to support such a weight. Careful ventilation is also important: For installation, at least 15.24 cm of free space above, 5.08 cm below, 7.62 cm behind the rear, and 5.08 cm on each side are recommended for unobstructed air circulation. The power amplifier should not be installed directly above heat-generating components; for enclosed furniture, quiet ventilation may be advisable.

Protection for Amplifier and Speakers

Power Guard® reduces the risk of clipping, which is audible and potentially damaging overdrive. Sentry Monitor™ protects the output stage in critical operating conditions and automatically resets once safe conditions are restored.

Flexible Integration into Home Theater Systems

The MC257 offers balanced and unbalanced inputs for all seven channels. This allows the power amplifier to be appropriately connected to an A/V processor or preamplifier. Additionally, power control connections for Zone A and Zone B are available.

Operation and Everyday Use

The front panel features a power switch with modes Off, Remote, and On, as well as a separate switch for meter illumination. Automatic shutdown can be activated or deactivated, placing the amplifier in standby mode after an extended period without an input signal.

Reasons to choose the McIntosh MC257

• 7-channel power amplifier for high-quality home theater systems
• Can be used in multiple zones
• TripleView™ Power Output Meter for the three front channels
• Switchable meter illumination
• Silent fanless cooling
• Power Guard® and Sentry Monitor™ as protection technologies
• Balanced and unbalanced inputs for all seven channels
• Classic McIntosh design with glass front, aluminum end caps, and polished stainless steel chassis

Things to know about the McIntosh MC257

• High weight of approximately 43 kg. Placement must be carefully planned.

Specifications

General

• Product Type: 7-Channel Power Amplifier
• Type: Solid State
• Circuit Configuration: Push-Pull Complementary
• Circuit Design: Solid State
• Dimensions W × H × D: 44.5 × 23.9 × 53.3 cm
• Shipping Carton W × H × D: 74.9 × 43.2 × 73.7 cm
• Weight: 43 kg
• Shipping Weight: 58 kg
• Front Panel: Glass
• Illumination: Direct LED Backlighting
• Chassis: Polished Stainless Steel and Black Painted Steel

Channels and Power

• Number of Channels: 7
• Power with Three Front Channels Used: 250 W per
• Channel into 4 or 8 Ohms
• Power with All Seven Channels Used: 200 W per
• Channel into 4 or 8 Ohms
• FTC Power Output Rating: 250 W
• Output Load Impedance: 4 and 8 Ohms
• Output Type: Direct Coupled with Dynamic Power Manager®
• Rated Power Band: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Dynamic Headroom: 3.3 dB

Audio

• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005 %
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 108 dB
• Damping Factor: >70 @ 4 Ohms, >140 @ 8 Ohms
• Frequency Response: +0, -0.25 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Extended Frequency Response: +0, -3 dB from 10 Hz to 100
• kHz
• Input Impedance: 20,000 Ohms Balanced, 10,000 Ohms
• Unbalanced
• Voltage Gain: 29 dB

Connectivity

• Balanced Inputs: 7
• Unbalanced Inputs: 7
• Speaker Terminals: Gold-Plated
• Standard Binding Posts
• Power Control Inputs ZA and ZB: 5–15 VDC, <1 mA
• Power Control Outputs ZA and ZB: 12 VDC, 50 mA maximum
• total
• Power Control Output Delay: 0.2 seconds after
• Power On

Features

• TripleView™ Power Output Meter: Yes
• Meter Light Switch: Yes
• Power Guard®: Yes
• Sentry Monitor™: Yes
• Dynamic Power Manager®: Yes
• McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks™: 5
• Remote Power Control: Yes, 7 or 5 + 2 Channel
• Power Auto Off: Enable or Disable
• Mono Bridge: No
• Mono Parallel: No
• Multi-Channel DB25 Cable: No

Power Supply

• AC Voltage Variants: 100 V, 110 V, 120 V, 127 V, 220 V, 230 V, 240
• V
• Frequency: 50/60 Hz
• Standby Consumption: less than 0.5 W
• Field Conversion of AC Voltage: not possible

Scope of Delivery

• McIntosh MC257
• Power Cable
• Power Control Cable
• Documentation

• Anschlüsse
• Anleitung
• Broschüre