MC462

The McIntosh MC462 is a stereo power amplifier with an output of 450 Watts per channel. It replaces the MC452 as McIntosh’s most powerful stereo amplifier. Each channel has a dedicated McIntosh Autoformer™, allowing the full 450 Watts to be delivered to speakers with 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.

The MC462 has increased filter capacity by nearly 50% compared with the previous model, raising dynamic headroom by 66%, from 1.8dB to 3.0dB. This enables the amplifier to handle large changes in musical dynamics with virtually no distortion, while also improving bass performance. Internal wiring and selected circuit components have been upgraded, and an eco-friendly power management system switches the amplifier off after a set period when no input signal is detected.

McIntosh’s visual design is retained through the black glass front panel, illuminated logo, control knobs, aluminium handles and 2 fast-responding blue Watt meters. Direct LED backlighting on the front panel improves appearance and colour accuracy. The 2 audio Autoformers and single power transformer are housed in new enclosures beneath a single machined cover with glass inserts. At the rear, 4 Monogrammed Heatsinks™ connect to advanced high-current output transistors to help eliminate thermal equilibrium lag time. The amplifier is mounted on a polished stainless steel chassis.

• Power Guard® monitors and adjusts the input signal at the speed of light, making real-time adjustments to prevent harsh-sounding and potentially speaker-damaging clipping.
• Sentry Monitor™ is a fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit that disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels, then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal.
• Quad Balanced design cancels virtually all noise and distortion that may have entered the audio signal.
• Power Control sends power on and off signals to connected McIntosh components, including CD players, turntables, tuners and media streamers, for system power-up and shutdown.
• Patented Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts attach speaker cables securely to help prevent them coming loose and causing a short. The binding posts are gold-plated to prevent corrosion and maintain signal quality over the speaker cables.

Balanced and unbalanced outputs support bi-amping or tri-amping with your speakers. They can also send the audio signal to a secondary system when your preamplifier does not have enough outputs, or connect to a powered subwoofer. Speaker cables can be connected using the speaker cables compatible Solid Cinch™ binding posts.

The McIntosh MC462 combines its 450 Watts per channel with Autoformer protection for 2, 4 and 8 Ohm speakers, updated power supply capacity and McIntosh protection and control technologies.