Congratulations to McIntosh for its level of innovation and for taking the commercial risk of marketing such an original design. Put as simply as possible, the MC451 sounds different enough to help redefine the state of the art for many high-end audiophiles.

Absolute Sound

A Stunning Sound Experience.

The MC451 Dual Mono Amplifier joins the MC901 in offering the ultimate solution to bi-amping a loudspeaker. Like the MC901, the MC451 uses our Hybrid Drive™ technology that combines a separate vacuum tube and solid state amplifier onto one single chassis to produce the best possible sound performance from a bi-ampable speaker. Unlike the larger MC901, the MC451 has a more conventional McIntosh form factor and size, allowing it to fit into home audio systems, racks, and furniture more easily. Adding a pair of MC451s to your stereo system will allow your prized speakers to perform like never before.

The MC451 is comprised of a 150 Watt vacuum tube amplifier and a 300 Watt solid state amplifier, which is more than enough power to drive virtually all speakers.

The vacuum tube section drives the speaker's midranges and tweeters, while the solid state section drives the woofers. The 150 Watt vacuum tube amplifier is powered by four KT88 output tubes which are located under a removable wire cage, plus two 12AT7 and one 12AX7A signal tubes; it uses our patented Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer to deliver its full 150 Watts into almost any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.

Similarly, the 300 Watt solid state amplifier delivers its full 300 Watts into a 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance speaker via our Autoformer™ technology

Sold as a pair.

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS

  • Power Output per Channel Solid State section: 300 Watts @ 2, 4 or 8 Ohms
    Vacuum Tube section: 150 Watts @ 2, 4 or 8 Ohms

  • Number of Channels1

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

    Vacuum Tube section: 0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz

  • S/N below rated output Solid State section: 118dB
    Vacuum Tube section: 112dB

  • Dynamic Headroom Solid State section: 2.5dB
    Vacuum Tube section: 1.2dB

  • Damping Factor Solid State section: >40
    Vacuum Tube section: >18

  • Rated Power Band Solid State section: 20Hz to 20kHz
    Vacuum Tube section: 20Hz to 20kHz

  • Frequency Response Solid State section:
    +0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
    +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

    Vacuum Tube section:
    +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
    +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 70,000Hz

CONTROL

  • Remote Power Control Yes

  • Multi-Channel DB25 Cable N/A

CONNECTIVITY

  • Speaker Binding Post Type Patented Solid Cinch™ Speaker Binding Posts

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Circuit Configuration Solid State section: Push-Pull Complementary
    Vacuum Tube section: Unity Coupled

  • Circuit Design Solid State and Vacuum Tube

  • Mono Bridge No

  • Mono Parallel No

  • Output Type Solid State section: Autoformer™
    Vacuum Tube section: Unity Coupled Output Transformer

  • Meters DualView™ Power Output Meter

  • Meter Light Switch Yes

  • Balanced Input2 (1 Solid State or Mono, 1 Vacuum Tube)

  • Front Panel Glass

  • Illumination Direct LED

  • Chassis Style Polished stainless steel & black painted steel

WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS

  • Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)17-7/8" (45.4cm) x 11-13/16" (30cm) x 21-1/2" (54.6cm)

  • Unit Weight133 lbs (60.3 kg)

  • Shipping Weight159 lbs (72.1 kg)

Congratulations to McIntosh for its level of innovation and for taking the commercial risk of marketing such an original design. Put as simply as possible, the MC451 sounds different enough to help redefine the state of the art for many high-end audiophiles.

Absolute Sound

Not available for online purchase. But come in and check it out!