MC352 Power Amplifier

MC352
Power Amplifier

See “SYSTEMS ENGINEERING”

in main brochure for more on
McIntosh system architectures. P ossessing the legendary might of its forebears, the double-balanced MC352
attains a new level of refinement. Its high-current output will drive any loud-
speaker system to ultimate performance. Sonically transparent and lightning fast,
the sound of the MC352 is simply the sound of music.

Featured Technologies
DOUBLE-BALANCED PUSH-PULL DESIGN. The MC352 is fully balanced from input to
speaker output. Matched amplifiers operate in complimentary push-pull with their outputs
combined in the McIntosh autoformer. The resulting double-balanced configuration cancels
virtually all distortion. This circuit design is possible only with the McIntosh autoformer.
EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH OUTPUT AUTOFORMERS. An impedance mismatch between an
amplifier and loudspeaker can cause distortion and a reduction in power. The legendary
The “Bifilar” winding technique McIntosh autoformer is a hand-crafted transformer with output connections for 2, 4, and 8
used in the making of autoformers ohms (plus 1, 2, and 4 ohms for the MC352’s mono parallel mode), allowing an ideal imped-
earned McIntosh one of its first ance match. A McIntosh amplifier with an autoformer can also safely drive multiple speakers
patents. The design is so advanced
connected in parallel without shortening the life expectancy of the output stage. There is
it is still used today.
absolutely no performance penalty with an autoformer. In fact, its frequency response exceeds
that of the output circuit itself, and extends well beyond the audible range. Distortion is so low
it is virtually immeasurable.
EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH POWER ASSURANCE SYSTEM. Power Assurance is a collection of
technologies that enhance performance and reliability and protect the amp and the loudspeakers.
Power Guard® clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always
deliver full power without causing clipping distortion. If an amplifier channel is overdriven,
Power Guard automatically reduces the input volume just enough to keep distortion below 2%
and prevent any clipping distortion. Thanks to an optical resistor, Power Guard acts literally at
the speed of light, producing absolutely no audible side effects. An amplifier with Power
Guard will actually deliver clipping-free output well above its rated power.
Sentry Monitor® current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current
of the output stage and confines it to a safe limit. Sentry Monitor does not limit power output.
 MC352 Companions

About the MC352 Companion Products

The McIntosh products shown at right are logical companions for the MC352. Separate literature is
available. Check with your McIntosh dealer for any late additions. McIntosh speaker systems are
also covered in detail in separate literature.
C42 AUDIO CONTROL CENTER
C42 Audio Control Center. The C42 and MC352 form a balanced audio system with “state-of-the-
McIntosh” performance.
XRT25, XRT26 Loudspeakers. The stunning XRT loudspeakers feature patented LD/HP® bass
and midrange drivers and multi-tweeter Line Source columns that increase power handling, mini-
mize distortion, and control vertical dispersion. Useable bass response extends down to 20Hz.
XR290 Loudspeaker. The powerful XR290 provides nearly flat response all the way down to 20Hz.
All drivers are in a Line Source configuration, resulting in tightly controlled vertical dispersion that
minimizes floor and ceiling reflections for a deep and well-focused soundstage.

XRT25 LOUDSPEAKER

a b c
The patented McIntosh Power Guard in the MC352
provides real-time clipping protection without affecting
power output or sound quality.
a) test signal
b) overdriven amp without Power Guard produces
SEVERE clipping distortion
c) overdriven amp with Power Guard produces
NO clipping distortion

Featured Technologies (cont’d.)

Thermal Cutout. If the cooling air is blocked and the power transistors become too hot, XRT26 LOUDSPEAKER

thermal cutouts protect against overheating until the amp cools.

DC Failure protection. In the rare event of an output circuit failure, any DC current that
appears in the output is shunted to ground by the autoformer, protecting the speakers from damage.
Turn-On Delay. This circuit delays operation for about two seconds after turn-on in order to
avoid any pops or thumps generated as other equipment turns on.
Soft Start inrush protection. Thermistors in the power transformer act as a cushion against
inrush current, eliminating component stress during turn-on.
ILLUMINATED PEAK-RESPONDING WATTMETERS. The output in watts of any amp depends
on loudspeaker impedance, which varies considerably with the frequency content of music.
Conventional output meters may display “watts” but they actually measure output voltage
because they assume a fixed impedance. McIntosh wattmeters display real output in watts, and
thus indicate the real power required to drive a particular speaker. McIntosh wattmeters
respond 95% full scale to a single-cycle tone burst at 2kHz. Response is almost 10-times faster
XR290 LOUDSPEAKER
than a professional VU meter. The “hold” feature provides a longer pause at the peak reading.
The meter illumination can be switched off.
BALANCED CONNECTIONS. Balanced connections guard against induced noise. A balanced
connection between the MC352 and the C42 Control Center provides 40dB more noise protection
than would an unbalanced (“single-ended”) connection.
REMOTE POWER CONTROL. This allows a McIntosh Control Center to turn the MC352 and
other system components on/off.

M ost consumer electronics products are necessarily viewed

as short-term investments because either they don’t last
or they quickly become obsolete in some way. Coincidentally,
lines, no “price-point” engineering, no planned obsolescence.
McIntosh equipment is made to sound better and last longer.
When McIntosh products are presented to customers, the
manufacturers supply a steady stream of “new-and-improved” criteria they have been conditioned to overlook – reliability,
products that you can buy. Again. longevity, craftsmanship, ease-of-use, adaptability, pride of
Behind every McIntosh is a fifty-year heritage of excellence, ownership – suddenly leap to the top of their list.
proudly carried forward by every employee. No production The choice becomes clear: There is nothing like a McIntosh.
MC352 Power Amplifier

FEATURES
Double-balanced push-pull design
Stereo: 2 x 350 watts (8/4/2 ohms)
Mono parallel: 1 x 700 watts (4/2/1 ohms)
Balanced input
Exclusive McIntosh output autoformers
Wide power bandwidth
Ultra-low distortion
Exclusive McIntosh Power Assurance System:
Power Guard® clipping protection
Sentry Monitor® current protection
Thermal Cutout
DC Failure protection
Turn-On Delay
Soft Start inrush protection
Illuminated peak-responding wattmeters with hold
Remote power control
Gold-plated high-current output terminals
Fanless convection cooling
Modular construction with stainless-steel chassis
Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature

SPECIFICATIONS
RMS Power Output Intermodulation Distortion Input Impedance
Minimum sine wave continuous average 0.005% maximum if instantaneous Unbalanced: 20k ohms
power output from 20Hz to 20kHz with peak power output does not exceed Balanced: 40k ohms
all channels operating - twice the output power rating
Stereo: 350W per channel (8/4/2 ohms) Power Guard®
Mono parallel: 700W (4/2/1 ohms) Dynamic Headroom Clipping is prevented and THD
2.1dB does not exceed 2% with up to
Output Load Impedance 14dB overdrive at 1kHz
Stereo: 2, 4, or 8 ohms Frequency Response
Mono parallel: 1, 2, or 4 ohms 20Hz to 20kHz, +0 / -0.25dB Power Requirements
10Hz to 100kHz, +0 / -3.0dB 100V 50/60Hz, 14.5A
Rated Power Band 110V 50/60Hz, 13.0A
20Hz to 20kHz Input Sensitivity 120V 50/60Hz, 12.0A
Unbalanced: 1.9V 220V 50/60Hz, 6.50A
Peak Output Current Balanced: 3.8V 230V 50/60Hz, 6.25A
> 100 amperes 240V 50/60Hz, 6.00A
S/N Ratio (A-Weighted)
Total Harmonic Distortion Unbalanced: 85dB (116dB below rated output) Dimensions (h x w x d)
0.005% maximum at any level from Balanced: 115dB (124dB below rated output) inch: 8.89 x 17.5 x 21
250 milliwatts to rated power output cm: 22.58 x 44.5 x 53.3
per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with Damping Factor knob clearance: 1.125" (2.9 cm)
all channels operating 40
Weight
105 lbs. (47.63kg) net
138 lbs. (63kg) shipping

McIntosh Laboratory, Inc., 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York 13903

tel (607) 723–3512 • U.S. toll-free (888) 979–3737 • fax (607) 772–3308 • www.mcintoshlabs.com
0999.MC352.15k.essecomm