£22,995

MC901

The MC901 is a monoblock amplifier that drives a single speaker. But it is unlike any other monoblock amplifier. What makes the MC901 so unique is that it's two amplifiers combined into one. Adding to the uniqueness is that each amplifier is of differing design philosophies: the MC901 consists of a 300 Watt vacuum tube amplifier attached to a 600 Watt solid state amplifier on one unified chassis.

McIntosh has been perfecting vacuum tube amplifiers since the 1940s and solid state amplifiers since the 1960s. Their amplifiers have been used at many historic events including presidential inaugurations and Woodstock, as well as in landmark sound systems like the Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound and Despacio. From that heritage comes a truly one-of-a-kind home audio amplifier only we could dream of, design and build as the ultimate solution for bi-amping loudspeakers: the McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier.

The 300 Watt vacuum tube portion powers the speaker's mid and upper drivers via eight KT88 output tubes, plus four 12AT7 and two 12AX7A signal tubes; the solid state section delivers 600 Watts of dedicated power to the power hungry woofers. The 300 Watt vacuum tube amp in the MC901 uses McIntosh's patented Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer – the same technology McIntosh was founded on in 1949 – to deliver its full 300 Watts into almost any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance. Similarly, the 600 Watt solid state amp delivers its full 600 Watts into a 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance speaker via our Autoformer™ technology.

With the MC901, the vacuum tube amp will not be burdened with low end reproduction as the solid state section will drive these frequencies.

The two amplifier sections of the MC901 are designed to work together in a synergistic relationship and are specifically engineered to assure that each section only amplifies its intended frequencies. Each amplifier section has its own discrete power supply so neither siphons power or performance away from the other. All of this results in easy bi-amping with unparalleled performance and sound reproduction from your speakers.

Althoh the MC901 may look different than any McIntosh product before it, a quick glance reveals signature McIntosh design cues. The top is highlighted by a series of diagrams printed on glass that outline the basic circuitry and specifications of the unit, along with a glass nameplate trimmed with a circular aluminum ring that's finished to match the front panel endcaps. The sides are adorned with vintage McIntosh-styled die cast aluminum name badges. Two classic McIntosh knobs are located on the front of the polished stainless steel chassis, and direct LED backlighting illuminates the DualView meter, McIntosh logo and the lettering on the black glass front panel. The uncompromising level of fit and finish that is expected of a McIntosh product completes the MC901.

Specifications

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
Power Output per ChannelSolid State section: 600 Watts @ 2, 4 or 8 Ohms Vacuum Tube section: 300 Watts @ 2, 4 or 8 Ohms
Number of Channels1
Total Harmonic DistortionSolid State section: 0.005% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz Vacuum Tube section: 0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz
S/N below rated outputSolid State section: 122dB Vacuum Tube section: 112dB
Dynamic HeadroomSolid State section: 2.5dB Vacuum Tube section: 1.2dB
Damping FactorSolid State section: >40 Vacuum Tube section: >18
Rated Power BandSolid State section: 20Hz to 20kHz Vacuum Tube section: 20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency ResponseSolid State section: +0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz Vacuum Tube section: +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 70,000Hz
CONTROL
Remote Power ControlYes
Multi-Channel DB25 CableN/A
CONNECTIVITY
Speaker Binding Post TypePatented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Circuit ConfigurationSolid State section: Quad Balanced Vacuum Tube section: Unity Coupled
Circuit DesignSolid State and Vacuum Tube
Mono BridgeNo
Mono ParallelNo
Output TypeSolid State section: Autoformer™ Vacuum Tube section: Unity Coupled Output Transformer
MetersDualView™ Power Output Meter
Meter Light SwitchYes
Balanced Input3 (1 Solid State, 1 Vacuum Tube, 1 Composite)
Front PanelGlass
IlluminationDirect LED
Chassis StylePolished stainless steel & black painted steel
WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)17-17/32" (44.5cm) x 13-3/8" (34cm) x 29-17/32" (75cm)
Unit Weight180 lbs (81.6 kg)
Shipping Weight200 lbs (90.7 kg)