TECHNICAL
DESCRIPTION
the amplifier cools down to its normal operating temperature, the speakers will be turned
back on.
DIRECT CURRENT FAILURE PROTECTION
A protection circuit is provided that turns off the speakers if for any reason a DC voltage
should appear at the output terminals. This prevents possible speaker damage.
POWER GUARD
A unique and patented feature of Mclntosh power amplifiers insures that each channel
of the MC7100 will deliver full power, free of clipping distortion. Clipping occurs when an
amplifier is overdriven past its output design capabilities. An overdriven amplifier can pro-
duce both audible and ultrasonic distortion levels approaching 40%. The audible distortion
is certainly unpleasant, but the ultrasonic distortion is also undesirable, since it can damage
tweeter loudspeakers.
The POWER GUARD circuit acts as a waveform comparator, monitoring both the input
and output waveforms. Under normal operating conditions there are no differences between
these waveforms. When an amplifier is overdriven beyond its maximum distortion free out-
put, then there will be a difference between the two waveforms. If the difference exceeds
0.3% (equivalent to 0.3% harmonic distortion), the amber POWER GUARD indicator will light.
If the difference continues to increase, the POWER GUARD circuit controls an electronic
attenuator at the input to reduce the gain of the amplifier just enough to prevent any further
increase in distortion. Distortion will not exceed 2% with as much as 14dB overdrive.
A Mclntosh power amplifier with POWER GUARD will always deliver its maximum distor-
tion free output. This power is always well above the rated power due to the Mclntosh
philosophy of conservative design. You will never experience the harsh and damaging distor-
tion due to clipping when using a Mclntosh POWER GUARD amplifier.
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