McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier – Tube and Transistor Combined for Bi-amping

Two amplifiers in one chassis is how McIntosh Laboratory Inc. describes the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier and thus a solution based on the so-called McIntosh Hybrid Driver Technology. The special feature of this amplifier is that it combines the best of tube and transistor technology to provide a solution that is perfect for driving loudspeaker systems in so-called bi-amping. The tube section delivers 150 watts, the solid state amplifier of the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier an impressive 300 watts.

Following in the footsteps of the McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier

With the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier, the US high-end HiFi manufacturer McIntosh Laboratory Inc. follows the same approach that is already found in the McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier.

The combination of tube technology and transistor is in principle nothing unusual, many manufacturers rely on a tube preamplifier and a solid state power amplifier.

McIntosh Laboratory Inc. takes a completely different approach with the McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier, combining two complete amplifiers in one housing, one based on tube technology and the other on transistor technology.

While one celebrated this with the McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier almost and had only the best possible sound performance in focus, the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier should present itself with a more conventional form factor and thus be easier to integrate into various hi-fi systems.

However, as is usual with McIntosh Laboratory Inc., the dimensions are nevertheless impressive, because the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier measures 45.4 cm in width, 30 cm in height, and a proud 54.6 cm in depth, and thus has a weight of a remarkable 60.3 kg. If you now consider that you need two of them for a HiFi chain…

McIntosh Hybrid Driver Technology – Designed for Bi-amping

As already described, the manufacturer of the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier has a special focus on bi-amping, whereby the amplifier is based on tube technology for the tweeter and midrange, while the transistor power amplifier is solely responsible for the low frequency range.

Four KT88 output tubes as well as two 12AT7 and one 12AX7A are used in the tube power amplifier, and of course a patented McIntosh Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformer is used to deliver its full 150 watts to almost any speaker, regardless of whether it has an impedance of 2, 4 or 8 ohms.

For the Solid State Amplifier, it’s the proven McIntosh Autoformer Technology that provides 300 watts of power regardless of whether the speaker systems have an impedance of 2, 4 or 8 ohms.

Integrated crossover

To act as an optimal solution for bi-amping, the new McIntosh Hybrid Driver Technology features an integrated crossover. This allows the performance of the two amplifier sections to be optimized according to the specifications of the speakers used and the listening preferences of the user. The gain level for the tube amplifier can be adjusted from -6 dB to +3 dB.

It should also be mentioned that separate inputs are available for each section, so that the internal crossover can also be bypassed. The connection section includes an unbalanced RCA as well as balanced XLR jacks.

Familiar McIntosh technologies and classic features

As usual with amplifier systems from McIntosh Laboratory Inc., the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier naturally features a variety of familiar technologies from the U.S. high-end HiFi forge, such as McIntosh Power Guard for the solid-state amplifier or McIntosh Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor for the Vacuum Tube Amplifier, McIntosh Sentry Monitor as well as McIntosh Solid Cinch Speaker Bindings, the McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsink on the sides, and prominently on the front the new McIntosh DualView Power Output Meter.

Prices and availability

The new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier is expected to be in stores soon. Unfortunately, we do not yet have a recommended retail price for this amplifier with McIntosh Hybrid Driver Technology. For the USA, the manufacturer states US$ 14.000,-.

Getting to the point

One could call the new McIntosh MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier the little brother of the McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier, because also here the so-called McIntosh Hybrid Driver Technology is used. At McIntosh Laboratory Inc. this means that the best of tube and transistor technology is combined, so uncompromisingly that a complete tube power amplifier and a complete transistor power amplifier are built into one housing. The new McIntosh MC901 Dual Mono Amplifier is the best solution for bi-amping at the highest level, according to the manufacturer’s promise.