McIntosh MC257 AC surround amplifier black

McIntosh MC257AC

Surround power amplifier

Make your home theater dreams a reality with the McIntosh MC257 7-Channel Power Amplifier. Experience the latest blockbusters alongside your favorite movies like never before in your home theater with the sound quality and performance only McIntosh can offer.

The MC257 is distinguished by its eye-catching TripleView power meter, which independently displays the real-time measured power of the amplifier's three front channels. The uncluttered TripleView meter, 38cm (15") wide, is a streamlined approach to the three individual meters of the previous generation 7-channel home theater amplifier. Instead of three separate measurement windows, each housing a single counter, the TripleView features three traditional mechanical counters in a single counter housing. Each of the TripleView gauge's three hands is an all-new design and features the same inviting movement that McIntosh gauges are known for.

In addition to the new TripleView meter, the MC257 offers many other improvements: When using only the left, center and right front channels, the power output has been increased by 25% from 200 watts per channel to 250 watts per channel. When all 7 channels are used, each channel gets 200 watts. Regardless of how many channels are used, the full 200 or 250 watts are delivered to 4 or 8 ohm speakers via Dynamic Power Manager (DPM) technology.

Filter capacity has been increased by 20%, increasing dynamic headroom by 94% from 1.7dB to 3.3dB and improving low-frequency performance - both key characteristics of a home theater amplifier, especially when listening to a rich soundtrack.

The MC257 comes with five of McIntosh's Monogrammed Heatsinks connected to high-current output transistors to efficiently and silently cool the amplifier. Therefore, no loud fans are needed that could disturb the film's soundtrack. A quiet, specially wound toroidal isolation transformer also helps keep noise to a minimum. The speaker terminals have been changed to gold plated binding posts which prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent to your home theater speakers. The power management system, which turns off the amplifier after a set period of time if no input signal is detected, has also been added. Finally, the front panel is now illuminated by direct LED backlighting for improved color accuracy and durability.

Alongside all of these upgrades, the MC257 features proven McIntosh technologies such as Power Guard to prevent potential speaker damage from amplifier clipping and clipping. McIntosh's proprietary Sentry Monitor technology protects against short circuits by turning off the output stage if current ever exceeds safe operating levels (it will then automatically reset when operating conditions return to normal). Balanced and unbalanced inputs are included to connect the MC257 home theater amplifier to your home theater processor.

The MC257 has multiple uses: it can power a 7-channel home theater by itself. It can be combined with our digital amplifiers MI128 or MI254 in home theaters with more than 7 channels. Or it can be used in 5-channel home theaters with 2 channels available to feed a second audio zone in your home.

The MC257 sits on a polished stainless steel chassis and features the classic McIntosh design of a black glass faceplate with TripleView display, illuminated logo, aluminum control knobs and end caps.

Technical specifications

output power per channel
3 front channels only: 250W at 4 or 8 ohms
All 7 channels: 200 W at 4 or 8 ohms
Number of channels: 7
(can also be used as a 2-zone amp with 5 channels in zone A and 2 channels in zone B)

Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005%
S/N under rated power: 108dB
Dynamic headroom: 3.3dB
damping factor:
> 70 @ 4 ohms
> 140 @ 8 ohms
Rated power band: 20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response:
+0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

steering
Remote control: Yes, 7 or 5 + 2 channel
Multi-Channel DB25 Cable: No

General specification
circuit configuration
push-pull complementary
Circuit Design: Fixed State
Mono Bridge: No
Mono Parallel: No
Output Type:
Directly coupled with Dynamic Power Manager ®
Meters: Yes
Meter Light Switch: Yes
Balanced input: 7
Front panel: glass
Illumination: Direct LED
Case Style: Polished stainless steel and black painted steel

connectivity
Speaker Binding Post Type: Standard

Weights & Measurements
Dimensions (W x H x D):
44.5 cm x 23.9 cm (including feet) x 53.3 cm (including front panel and cables)
Weight: 43kg
Shipping weight: 58 kg