MCINTOSH MC257 7-CHANNEL HOME CINEMA POWER AMP

The new MC257 7-channel home theatre power amp replaces the MC207 and is the first to feature McIntosh's new TripleView Power Output Meter.

We are all no doubt familiar with the Binghamton, NY brand's blue-backlit stereo needles, but the fresh set-up here independently indicates the real-time power reading of the amp's three front channels. Naturally, you can extinguish the backlighting when watching your Hollywood blockbuster.

Powerful Upgrades

However, there's more going on than the new meters. Firstly, the MC257 ups the output power by 25% (from 200 to 250 watts per channel) across the front left, centre and right channels, with 200 watts available when all seven channels are driven. Also noteworthy is that McIntosh's Dynamic Power Manager (DPM) technology delivers the full 200/250 watts regardless of whether 4- or 8-ohm speakers are used.

Filter capacity has also been boosted by 20% resulting in a 94% increase in dynamic headroom (from 1.7dB to 3.3dB) as well as improving low-frequency performance.

Also, the five new McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks negates the need for noisy cooling fans. A specially wound (quiet) toroidal isolation power transformer also helps to keep noise to a minimum.

Further features include upgraded speaker terminals (to McIntosh's gold-plated binding posts), McIntosh's power management system and a front panel now lit by direct LED backlighting for improved colour accuracy and durability.

Pricing and availability

Orders for the £12,995 MC257 can now be placed with authorised McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin in October (UK) and September 2019 (United States).

For more information, go to McIntosh.