MC1502

The McIntosh MC1502 is a stereo vacuum tube amplifier for home audio and home music systems, producing 150 Watts per channel. It directly replaces the McIntosh MC2152 Limited Edition 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Amplifier, which was produced in a limited run to mark McIntosh's 70th anniversary in 2019. The MC1502 has identical audio specifications and sound reproduction performance to the MC2152, presented in a more customary McIntosh design.

Its styling follows the classic McIntosh MC275 vacuum tube amplifier. With twice the stereo power rating of the MC275, at 150 Watts compared with 75 Watts, the physically larger MC1502 can be considered its larger counterpart. A pair of MC275 amplifiers can be operated in mono to produce 150 Watts per channel, although the MC1502 has a signal-to-noise ratio of 112dB compared with 105dB for the MC275 pairing. This provides a quieter performance than the already quiet MC275.

Eight KT88 output vacuum tubes power the amplifier, with 4 assigned to each stereo channel. The small-signal stage uses 8 vacuum tubes, comprising 4 12AX7A and 4 12AT7 tubes. Each audio channel has 2 of each type. The 12AX7A tubes serve the Balanced and Input amplifiers, while the 12AT7 tubes are used in the Voltage and Driver amplifiers. A 12-gauge stainless steel wire cage with a black powder-coated finish protects all the vacuum tubes.

Air-Pipe cooling at the bases of the KT88 vacuum tube sockets helps facilitate long service life. The 8 signal tube sockets have ceramic bases with gold-plated contacts to protect against atmospheric contamination. All the tubes sit on a precision-formed stainless steel chassis with a mirror-polished finish. McIntosh Sentry Monitor™ technology monitors output current and switches the amplifier off if it exceeds safe limits. The signal tubes flash red if Sentry Monitor is activated.