STATUS - AVAILABLE
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Description :
The McIntosh MA230 was introduced in 1963 with a production run until 1966. It was McIntosh’s first integrated amplifier design and first component to contain a hybrid circuit design which consisted of a solid state preamplifier section and a tube based power amplifier section. The MA integrated line was created in response to a growing demand for compact, all-inclusive components in a chassis. McIntosh engineers took on the daunting task of combining a full-featured preamplifier and power amplifier on a single chassis and rewrote the book on how to make integrated components. The end result of their efforts was a compact solid-state preamp/tube power amp combined on a single chassis containing unmatched versatility without sacrificing sound quality. Adhering to the same design criterion set forth by Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow, every component was created with capacity so great that it will never be operated at or near its stress point for superior sonic performance and unmatched reliability.

The McIntosh MA230 is unquestionably a 60’s era tube amplifier, exhibiting the sound pedigree that won the hearts of audiophiles and music lovers worldwide, and never seems to go out of style. It can produce great levels of musical sounds and is powerful even though it is rated at a modest 30 watts. The preamplifier stage is beautifully uninvolved in altering the sound in any way, but it does offer plenty of options before sending the signal to the the simple, elegant tube power amplifier section. The McIntosh MA230 delivers music with the full splendor and energy of a live performance. Dynamic range is wide and assertive with a natural harmonic quality that is lost with other amplifiers. The MA230 presents the famed "magic" midrange quality that made McIntosh legendary, with excellent high & low frequency reproduction as well. Its outstanding sonic characteristics combined with amazing flexibility make the MA230 the best valued McIntosh tube components of all time.

That is the good reason why an estimated 80% of the McIntosh components produced since 1949 are still in use today and what’s more amazing is these same components are outperforming modern counterparts with the benefit of years of technological progression. When buying a McIntosh, the user is buying a lifetime component!

Specifications :
Power..................................................30 watts/channel (stereo)
         ..................................................60 watts (mono)
Harmonic Distortion..............................Less than 0.5% at 30 watts output, 20 cycles through 20,000 cycles.
                            ...............................Distortion decreases as power output is reduced.
Intermodulation Distortion......................Less than 0.5% for any combination of frequencies from 20 cycles
                                     ......................through 20,000 cycles if instantaneous peak power is 60w/c or less.
Phase Shift, Power Amplifier.................Less than ± 5° 20 to 20,000 cycles.
Frequency Range.................................At 30 watts output both channels.
                         ..................................+ 0, -0.5db 20 cycles through 20,000 cycles.
                         ..................................+0, -3db 15 cycles through 70,000 cycles.
Output Impedance................................4 ohms, 8 ohms, 16 ohms
Internal Impedance/Damping..................Less than 10% of rated load impedance; damping factory of 10
Input Sensitivity and Impedance.............25 volts, 250K ohms (Auxiliary, Tape, Tuner, and Tape Monitor)
                                              .............1.5 millivolts, 47,000 ohms (Phono 1 and Phono 2)
                                              .............1.5 millivolts, 1 Megohm (Tape Head)
Total Noise(including Power Amplifier)....75db below rated output (High level inputs)
                                                      .....60db below rated output (Low level inputs)
                                                      .....less than 4.0 microvolts at input terminals
Tape Output..........................................25 volts into 25,000 ohms with rated input
                  .........................................1.6 volts with 10 millivolts at Phono input.
Left Plus Right Output...........................10 volts from generator impedance of 5,000 ohms
Bass Controls......................................±18db at 20 cycles
                    .......................................with friction clutch for independent adjustment of each channel
Treble Controls.....................................± 18db at 20,000 cycles
                      .....................................with friction clutch for independent adjustment of each channel
Comp (Compensator) Switch.................RIAA or LP phono equalization
Tape Switch.........................................Normal or Tape Monitor
Phase Switch.......................................Normal (0°) or reverse (180°)
Speaker Switch....................................Speakers ON, or OFF for headphone listening
High Frequency Filter............................Flat, or 5,000 cycle cutoff, 12db per octave
Low Frequency Filter.............................Flat, or 50 cycle cutoff, 12db per octave
Loudness Switch..................................Normal or compensated bass and treble
Headphone Jacks.................................Two, for two pairs of headphones
Input Selector.......................................6 positions - AUX, TAPE, TUNER, PHONO 1, PHONO 2, TAPE HD
Mode Selector......................................7 positions - L to L and R, R to L and R, STEREO REVERSE,
                     ......................................STEREO, MONO (L+R), L+R to L, L+R to R
Transistor Complement (Preamplifier).....8 x 2N2926 Silicon Planar
                                                     ......4 x 11BQ101 Silicon Planar
Tube Complement (Power Amplifier).......4 x 7591 Power Output
                                                    .......2 x 12AU7 Driver/Phase Inverter
                                                    .......1 x 12AX7 1st Audio Voltage Amplifier
Power Requirements.............................120-125 volts AC, 60 cycles
                              .............................150 watts at zero signal output
                              .............................210 watts at rated output
Dimensions(w x d x h)...........................41 x 37.5 x 14cm
Weight.................................................19kg

Miscellaneous :
Notice.................................................This set voltage is 117V
Made in...............................................USA
Condition.............................................6/10

Product Information :
http://mcc.berners.ch/integrated-amplifiers/MA230.pdf (Brochure)
http://www.hifirelics.com/McIntosh%20MA230%20OM.PDF (Manual)
http://www.roger-russell.com/amppre.htm#ma230

Reviews :
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/amplification/integrated-amplifiers/mcintosh/mcintosh-ma230-ma-230/prd_451831_2717crx.aspx