McIntosh MC205, Owner'S Manual

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14
A continuous average power output rating of 200
watts and an output current of greater than 25 amperes
per channel, makes this one of the most advanced and
powerful amplifiers McIntosh has ever manufactured.
Refer to figures 14 and 15. The distortion limits for
the MC205 are no more than 0.005% at rated power
output for all frequencies from 20Hz to 20,000Hz.
Typical performance at mid frequencies is less than
0.002%. The true distortion readings on the MC205
are so low, it takes special measuring techniques to
make accurate readings. The MC205 can deliver the
best possible performance from any type of high qual-
ity Loudspeaker System.
Design Philosophy
The MC205 McIntosh Power Amplifier to uses the
recently developed Dynamic Power Manager
TM
(DPM)
Circuitry. The MC205 can easily drive 4 ohm speak-
ers, with their high current demand. Additionally, the
MC205 can be used with 8 ohm speakers, and deliver
equal power. McIntosh’s new DPM
TM
design enables
it to run on higher voltage rails when connected to
less current-hungry 8 ohm speakers and still deliver
200 watts. The power penalty usually paid with 8 ohm
speakers on high current amplifiers does not exist
with this new design.
The high efficiency circuit design of the MC205
contributes to low operating temperatures. More than
2100 square inches of heat sink area occupies almost
half of the MC205’s chassis space and keeps the am-
plifier operating safely with convection cooling. No
fans are needed.
Protection Circuits
The MC205 incorporates its version of the McIn-
tosh Sentry Monitor output transistor protection
circuit. There is absolutely no compromise in sonic
performance with
this circuit, and
it ensures safe
operation of the
amplifier under
even the most
extreme operating
conditions. Refer
to figure 16. The
different types of
protection circuits
incorporated in the
MC205 insure a long and safe operating life.
The MC205 also includes the unique patented
McIntosh Power Guard circuit. Power Guard elimi-
nates the possibility of ever overdriving the ampli-
fier into clipping. Refer to figures 17, 18 and 19. An
Technical Description
Block Diagram
of the
Power Amplifier
(one channel shown)
Figure 15
Figure 14
Normal Operating Area
Sentry Monitor
Safety Area
Output
Transistor
Failure
Figure 16