McIntosh MC152 Solid State Amplifier - Pre-Loved

General:
Price listed is MSRP. Please call to order and discuss pricing.

This MC152 will come with its manual, box and power cord.  Tested and functioning like new.

A SkyFi 1-year warranty will be included with this product (no McIntosh warranty).

It will be shipped in its original McIntosh double box to ensure safe transit, as packaging like this is essential for units of this type.

Support your local McIntosh Dealer!

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Round marks (from rubber feet) and light scuffs are present on the top cover. Some minor marks on inner glass visible by the meters. Overall condition is good.

Standout Features:

• 150 Watts x 2 Channels
• McIntosh Patented Autoformers and Sentry Monitor
• Space saving 6" tall chassis

General:

The McIntosh MC152 stereo amplifier delivers 150 Watts of power into two channels at 2, 4 or 8 Ohms. Both balanced and unbalanced inputs are included for connecting your preamplifier. Our smallest current model solid state stereo amplifier in terms of power output, the MC152 is perfect for modest sized systems where higher power output levels are not needed or in home theaters to power surround channels.

"Best Amplifier" 2015 - Hi-Fi World

Featuring a space saving design with a slim 6” tall chassis, it can fit where larger models can’t. While it may be physically smaller than our other amplifiers, it's still full of all the technology McIntosh is known for and will perform to the same high standards as any of our amps. The McIntosh output Autoformer™ ensures every speaker receives full power regardless of its impedance while our unique Power Guard® circuitry prevents clipping that could damage your speakers. Our speaker binding posts provide a secure connection to your speaker cables.

"It was the combination of power, control and overall coherence that made the McIntosh work so well with seemingly all musical genres… It can be subtle and fleet-of-foot when needed – yet is just at home pounding out deep bass lines, crashing guitar chords or orchestral crescendos. Not just a cut-down version of McIntosh’s bigger power amplifiers but a great performer in its own right." Awarded 5 out of 5 Globes. - Hi-Fi World

The MC152 is completed by the classic McIntosh black glass front panel, silver end caps and a pair of large, easy to read blue watt meters that are globally recognized as a symbol of quality audio. Bring the MC152 home today and introduce your friends and family to the performance only McIntosh can deliver.

Brand Background:
McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment based in Binghamton, New York. The company was founded in 1949 by Frank McIntosh. The company designs and produces audio amplifiers, stereo tuners and other consumer electronics products.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs, McIntosh New Style Speaker Binding Posts, Power Control In/Out.

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, Box, Manual, Power Cord

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Specs:
Power Output
Minimum sine wave continuous average power output per channel, with both channels operating is:
150 watts into 2 ohm load
150 watts into 4 ohm load
150 watts into 8 ohm load

Output Load Impedance
2, 4 or 8 ohms

Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Dynamic Headroom
2dB

Frequency Response
+0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

Input Sensitivity (for rated output)
2.4 Volts Balanced
1.2 Volts Unbalanced

Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
95dB Balanced (118dB below rated output)
93dB Unbalanced (115dB below rated output)

Intermodulation Distortion
0.005% maximum, if the instantaneous peak power output does not exceed twice the rated power output for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20,000Hz.

Wide Band Damping Factor
Greater than 40

Input Impedance
22,000 ohms Balanced
22,000 ohms Unbalanced

Voltage Gain
23dB, 2 Ohms
26dB, 4 Ohms
29dB, 8 Ohms

Power Guard
Less than 2% Total Harmonic Distortion with up to a 14dB overdrive signal

Power Control Input
5-15VDC, less than 1mA

Power Control Output
12VDC, 50mA maximum
Output is delayed 0.2 seconds from turn On

Power Requirements
Field AC Voltage conversion of the MC152 is not possible. The MC152 is factory configured for the following AC Voltage:
120V ~ 50/60Hz at 3.7 Amps
Standby: less than 0.3 watt

Dimensions:
17-1/2" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) (including feet) x 21" (50.8cm) (including front panel and cables)

Weight:
75 lbs.

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Kimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best

Kimber Summit Series BiFocal XL Bi-Wire Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best If Applicable

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

If the amplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a controlled power on sequence using a Sencore safety analyzer to monitor current draw in real time. Once the amplifier is determined to be safe to operate, we connect it to full AC mains for function and power testing. We connect the speaker outputs of the amplifier to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1 KHz test signal at the amplifier's input and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping.

At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. If the device under test has both balanced and single ended inputs they are both tested at this time.

We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1 KHz square wave check and a 20 Hz to 20 KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier's frequency response characteristics.

This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.

Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.

If the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours minimum. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.