McIntosh Lab Showcases High-Powered Integrated Amplifier

MA6900 Combines 200-Watt Stereo Amp And Six-Input Preamp In Powerful Audiophile Package

4-Oct-01

McIntosh Laboratory, a world leader in home entertainment systems for over 50 years, showcased the MA6900 Integrated Amplifier at CEDIA EXPO 2001. The MA6900 builds upon McIntosh's longstanding reputation and success with high-powered amplifiers and refined audio components for the serious audio enthusiast. The MA6900 combines a 200-watt stereo amplifier, a six-input preamplifier and a five-band equalizer in a single stainless steel chassis. Exclusive McIntosh Output Autoformers ensure optimum impedance matching with 2-, 4- or 8-ohm loads. Should DC voltage appear at the amplifier output, the autoformer shorts it to ground, preventing speaker damage. The MA6900 includes the two large illuminated output meters known as Blue Eyes, one of McIntosh's trademarks. Calibrated in watts output, they respond at 95 percent of full scale to a single cycle burst at 2 kHz, almost ten times faster than a professional VU meter.Six pushbutton switches select the program source, allowing users to choose among Phono/Aux, CD 1 (balanced input), CD 2, Tuner, Tape and Video. The Phono/Aux button is user-defined, and determines if the phono stage is engaged or not. Five more audio/video inputs can be added and controlled using the MVS3 audio/video switcher. Digital logic circuits that drive electromagnetic switches ensure the most reliable, lowest distortion signal switching possible. Additional pushbutton switches include Mono, Loudness Compensation, Mute, two additional preamp outputs and Standby/On. The built-in equalizer provides 12 dB of boost or cut for five frequency bands: 50 Hz, 150 Hz, 500 Hz, 1500 Hz and 10 kHz. Equalizer circuits may be removed from the signal path at each band's center detent position.The MA6900 incorporates seven protection circuits to enhance performance, guarantee reliability and protect loudspeakers. McIntosh's exclusive Power GuardÆ circuit assures that each channel delivers full power, free of clipping distortion, and protects speakers from damage. Circuits are employed to protect against DC, and thermal power sensors turn off speaker output when improper loading or ventilation causes the amplifier to overheat. McIntosh's Sentry MonitorÆ circuit senses the dynamic operating time, voltage, and current of the amplifier output stage, and confines it to nondestructive limits without limiting available power output from the amplifier. Thermistors in the power transformer primary circuit cushion the inrush of current and eliminate component stress when the amplifier is turned on. Additionally, amplifier operation is delayed for two seconds after power turn-on. This prevents pops or thumps generated in other equipment from causing component or loudspeaker damage. The power supply is electronically regulated to maintain stable operation, even during low voltage brownouts.Additional features that distinguish the MA6900 include serial data output ports, a precision volume control, four power control outputs using four 1/8-inch mini jacks, gold-plated input and output jacks, and gold-plated, five-way binding posts, one for each impedance of 2, 4 and 8 ohms, plus a common set of connectors. The MA6900 Integrated Amplifier available at a suggested price of $4,500 from McIntosh dealers.For more information about McIntosh Laboratory, visit www.mcintoshlabs.com.

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