McIntosh MC152 Stereo 150 Watt Amplifier with Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs

Product Information

Highlights 

• 150 watts per channel at 8, 4 or 2 ohms 
• McIntosh’s patented Autoformer system
• Power Guard compares input and output waveforms to instantly reduce clipping 
• Space-saving 6-inch high chassis allows for flexible installations
• Comes with both standard unbalanced RCA inputs and balanced XLR inputs 
• XLR cables (not included) create noise-free connections to high-end and semi-pro equipment 
• Dimensions (W x H x D) – 17-1/2" X 6" X 21" 
• Weight: 75 lbs
• Warranty: 3 years – World Wide Stereo is an authorized dealer for every brand we sell
• World Wide Stereo 60-day guarantee and expert product support

Meet the MC152 - Compact and Powerful 

With advanced protection circuitry and rock-solid amplifier engineering honed over decades, the MC152 amplifier can anchor today’s most demanding home audio and theater systems. Or easily add its power to an existing multichannel system to bring the front speakers to dynamic life in a way that only a McIntosh amplifier can.  

Meet McIntosh 

Handcrafted, highest-end, made in America – where do you begin to explain the enduring aura of McIntosh? From the timeless elegance of muted blue and green hues through dark-glass front plates, to the iconic analog power meters that swing hypnotically to the music, no name is more instantly recognizable to generations of music lovers and audiophiles. Founded in 1949, McIntosh has always crafted a limited line of conservatively engineered electronics and speakers built to deliver gorgeously liquid listening for decades.   

Power and Safety to Spare 

McIntosh amplifiers have always been the choice to drive even the most difficult top-line speakers, and the MC152 is no exception, with a conservatively rated 150 watts per channel into 2-4- or 8 ohms. (Independent test labs have measured 225 watts or more.) The company’s patented Power Guard system constantly compares and adjusts the input and output signals to prevent clipping distortion, protecting the speakers (and your ears) while allowing full enjoyment of the amp’s power and dynamics. And the fuse-less Sentry Monitor protection circuit disengages the output stage instantly in the event of accidental short circuits. 

Transformers – More Than Meets the Eye 

Nearly all modern amps and receivers specify power output at a single resistance, or “impedance,” of 8 ohms. But all speakers vary widely across their frequency response and many, particularly higher-end esoteric designs, can average 4 ohms or less. Those lower loads can lead to higher distortion, heat buildup and, in extreme cases, amplifier instability. Unique among modern manufacturers, McIntosh uses an ultra low-noise output transformer system to perfectly match the amp’s output to the speakers’ needs. For each output channel, the MC152’s patented Autoformer offers separate taps for 2, 4 or 8 ohms, guaranteeing a full 150 watts plus, with low distortion and total stability, into any speaker load. 

Big Power, Small(er) Package 

The MC152 is not only McIntosh’s least expensive two-channel amp, it’s also the smallest. But don’t let six-inch-high form factor fool you – the MC152 still weighs in at a back-straining 75 pounds. It’s sized and designed to match the company’s C47 two-channel control preamp and MCD550 SACD/CD player, among other components. And yes, the front panel still makes room for McIntosh’s iconic baby blues – those lovely, softly glowing power meters that remind listeners just how much power it really takes to rock out.