Vacuum Tube Amp Carries On McIntosh Laboratory Tradition

Affordable, Powerful MC2102 Uses Sophisticated Tube Design To Deliver Audiophile Performance

31-May-01

McIntosh Laboratory, a world leader in home entertainment systems for over 50 years, exhibited the MC2102 Vacuum Tube Amplifier at Home Entertainment 2001, at the Hilton New York Hotel. Audiophiles the world over recognize and appreciate the performance differences between vacuum tube and solid state amplifiers, and will find that the MC2102 delivers the warm, smooth sound that have made McIntosh amplifiers famous.The MC2102 is the second entry in McIntosh's new 2000 Series of tube amplifiers and preamplifiers, and follows the phenomenal success of the MC2000 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier, created to commemorate McIntosh's 50th anniversary. Components in the 2000 Series will be limited editions and share key characteristics. They will be designed and engineered by McIntosh co-founder and former President Sidney Corderman.The MC2102 produces a powerful 100 watts in stereo or 200 watts in mono. In stereo, it accepts loads of 2, 4, or 8 ohms. In mono (parallel), it handles 1-, 2-, or 4-ohm loads and, when placed in mono (bridged), accepts 4-, 8-, or 16-ohm loads. Each channel of the MC2102 uses eight tubes - two 12AX7s, two 12AT7s, and four 6550s or KT88s. One 12AX7 tube is used for the balanced input; the second is assigned as a voltage amplifier and phase inverter. One 12AT7 is a push-pull bootstrapped voltage amplifier, while the other is a cathode follower driver for four 6550 or KT88 outputs connected in push-pull parallel.The MC2102 features the Unity Coupled Output Transformer that uses two bifilar wound primaries, one for the cathodes and one for the plates. While conventional designs take the output power from the plates, the MC2102 takes output power from both the plate and the cathode, resulting in much lower distortion in the output stage. Secondary windings of the transformers are interspersed among the primary windings, providing very close primary-to-secondary coupling to assure a flat frequency response and wide power bandwidth.For improved noise rejection, balanced inputs are provided and selected on the rear panel with a slide switch. Common mode rejection is greater than 60dB at mid frequencies. Gold-plated, five-way binding posts accept spade connectors, banana plugs, or wire ends to #8 AWG. A set of binding posts is available in each channel for 2, 4, and 8 ohms, plus an extra common pair.Additional features that distinguish the MC2102 include:- Famous McIntosh Blue Eyes illuminated meters to monitor the power output in watts- Remote power control- Gold plated input and output jacks- 100dB ìAî weighted signal-to-noise ratio- .8V input sensitivity - A wideband damping factor greater than 18The MC2102 Vacuum Tube Amplifier is available now at a suggested price of $6,000.For more information about McIntosh Laboratory, visit www.mcintoshlabs.com.

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