McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier – Pure power with 2.000 watts
The new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier, which celebrated its premiere on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the US high-end hi-fi manufacturer McIntosh Laboratory Inc. and is offered in part as a 75th Anniversary Edition, is said to be a true powerhouse with 2.000 watts.
- McIntosh Laboratory Inc. promises pure power with the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier.
McIntosh Laboratory Inc. speaks of nothing less than the ultimate performance that an amplifier system can deliver when describing the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier, which is being presented these days to mark the company’s 75th anniversary celebrations. Fittingly, this solution will also be available in a 75th Anniversary Edition, as McIntosh Laboratory Inc. states, with 75 units per country.
But whether as a special Anniversary Edition or as a series model, the fact is that the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier is an exceptional amplifier system in many respects, with an output of a remarkable 2.000 watts being just one of its outstanding features.
Constructed from three modules – Tri-chassis design
Probably the most obvious special design feature of the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier is that it consists of three units, three modules, as the manufacturer itself describes it.
The so-called Output Module is supported by two Power Modules, each of which is responsible for 1.000 watts of power. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that 1.000 watts are available for the left channel and a further 1.000 watts for the right channel, in fact the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier is, as the name clearly states, a so-called mono block.
Separate amplifier modules with quad balanced design
Signal processing in the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier is symmetrical throughout, starting with the amplifier’s output module, which takes the symmetrical signal – plus and minus – from a preamplifier, for example.
This is where the amplifier’s signal routing is split, an in-phase signal is sent to one of the two power modules and amplified. At the same time, an out-of-phase signal is sent to the other power module and amplified.
Both amplified signals leave the power modules and re-enter the output module, where they drive the opposite ends of a McIntosh Autoformer. This recombines the two audio signals back into one, summing the power and reducing or completely cancelling out any noise. McIntosh Laboratory Inc. refers to this as a sophisticated technique that ensures a low-distortion audio signal, which in turn leads to an absolutely unadulterated sound with enormous power.
Why two power modules?
Apart from the details of the special signal processing just mentioned, McIntosh Laboratory Inc. also gives very practical reasons for using two power modules. Firstly, there is the fact that it would be impossible to realise such an output via a conventional amplifier stage; the normal power supply would simply be overwhelmed.
In addition, and this cannot be dismissed out of hand, a module with the complex structure used here would simply be too heavy to be handled in any reasonable way. Each module already weighs at least 54 kg.
2.000 watts into 2, 4 and 8 ohms
As we have already mentioned, the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier delivers an impressive 2.000 watts, thanks to the McIntosh Autoformer, to speaker systems with 2, 4 and 8 ohms.
McIntsoh Laboratory Inc. has already played in this power class once before, with the McIntosh MC2KW, which was introduced in 2005. The new McIntosh MC2.1KW monoblock power amplifier is now characterised above all by eight larger filter capacitors, which ensure an even better performance, especially in the low frequency range, thanks to an even greater power reserve. These are mounted decoratively behind a glass panel on the front of the power modules. Each of the two modules contains four of these capacitors.
Of course, the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier features all the familiar technologies of the US High-end HiFi manufacturer, so in addition to the aforementioned McIntosh Autoformer, McIntosh Power Guard, McIntosh Sentry Monitor and the powerful cooling elements are designed as so-called McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks and McIntosh Solid RCA Speaker Binding Posts are used for the connections.
Speaking of which, the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier is of course designed for Bi-wiring or even Tri-wiring.
Prices and availability
Unfortunately, we currently have no information on when and at what price the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier will be available in this country. What is certain, however, is that McIntosh Laboratory Inc. itself is asking US$ 50.000,- for this solution.
Getting to the point
You don’t necessarily have to buy the new McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier as a 75th Anniversary Edition to acquire something truly exceptional, as it is a power amplifier designed as a so-called Quad balanced Monoblock and built with a Tri-chassis design. McIntosh Laboratory Inc. promises enormous power combined with absolutely clean signal processing.
| PRODUCT | MCINTOSH MC2.1KW MONOBLOCK POWER AMPLIFIER |
|---|---|
| Price | US$ 50.000,- |
| Brand | McIntosh |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | McIntosh Laboratory Inc. |
| Distribution | Audio Components GmbH |
| More about this manufacturer at HiFi BLOG |
