McIntosh MA6500

See “SYSTEMS ENGINEERING”
in main brochure for more on
McIntosh system architectures.
MA6500
Integrated Amplifier
Featured Technologies
EXCLUSIVE MCINTOSH POWER ASSURANCE SYSTEM. Power Assurance is a collection of
technologies that enhance performance and reliability and protect the amp and the loudspeakers.
Power Guard
®
clipping protection. Power Guard ensures that the amplifier will always
deliver full power without causing clipping distortion. If an amplifier channel is overdriven,
Power Guard automatically reduces the input volume just enough to keep distortion below 2%
and prevent any clipping distortion. Thanks to an optical resistor, Power Guard acts literally at
the speed of light, producing absolutely no audible side effects. An amplifier with Power Guard
will actually deliver clipping-free output well above its rated power.
Sentry Monitor
®
current protection. Sentry Monitor continually senses the voltage and current
of the output stage and confines it to a safe limit. Sentry Monitor does not limit power output.
Thermal Cutout. If the cooling air is blocked and the power transistors become too hot,
thermal cutouts protect against overheating until the amp cools.
Turn-On Delay. This circuit delays operation for about two seconds after turn-on in order to
avoid any pops or thumps generated as other equipment turns on.
Soft Start inrush protection. Thermistors in the power transformer act as a cushion against
inrush current, eliminating component stress during turn-on. Soft Start is one of many design
details that contribute to the remarkable longevity of McIntosh equipment.
ILLUMINATED PEAK-RESPONDING METERS. McIntosh meters respond 95% full scale to a
single-cycle tone burst at 2kHz. Response is almost 10-times faster than a professional VU meter.
M
any who consider a McIntosh system for the first time will find integrated
amplifiers a comfortable place to start. Hardly a “slimmed-down” model,
the MA6500 incorporates premium McIntosh technologies – including Power
Assurance and Silent Electromagnetic Switching – as well as several features that
facilitate system integration and expansion.
The patented McIntosh Power
Guard provides real-time clipping
protection without affecting power
output or sound quality.
a) test signal
b) overdriven amp without Power
Guard produces SEVERE clipping
c) overdriven amp with
Power
Guard produces NO clipping
ab
c