McIntosh MA 230 Owners Manual

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MA230 PREAMP-AMPLIFIER GENERAL DESCRIPTION The new Mclntosh MA230 presents two outstanding "FIRSTS" for your home stereo listening enjoyment. . . . The MA230 is the FIRST stereo pre- amp-amplifier on one chassis that meets the traditional rigorous Mclntosh engineering performance standards. . . . The MA230 is the FIRST stereo instru- ment to combine a solid state preamplifier with a tube and transformer power amplifier on the same chassis. The Mclntosh MA230 has eliminated all previous limitations of single chassis preamp- power amplifiers. The compact design of the MA230 preamplifier allows adequate space on the same chassis for a cool running 30 watt per channel tube power amplifier. You can now enjoy Mclntosh performance and reliability with the convenience of a complete single chassis stereo instrument. The dramatic difference in the quality of music reproduction through Mclntosh instru- ments is due directly to low distortion per- formance. Mclntosh Laboratory is the only manufacturer in the entire industry to guar- antee and deliver the lowest distortion at all audio frequencies. Long life, flexibility, and highest quality construction are characteristic designs in every Mclntosh instrument. Wide electrical and thermal margins of safety for all com- ponents, transistors and tubes add to the long life built into every Mclntosh product. Advanced engineering and cool operating de- sign insure reliability and low maintenance costs. A Mclntosh instrument is without doubt the most economical and worthwhile long term investment in the high fidelity industry. Once you have enjoyed the outstanding performance of the MA230, you will under- stand why Mclntosh products have earned their reputation as "THE BEST." Your Mc- lntosh MA230 stereo preamp-amplifier will give you years of the finest possible per- formance and will become a highly valued part of your home music system. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION The new Mclntosh MA230 combines, for the first time, a Mclntosh engineered stereo solid state preamplifier and tube power am- plifier on the same chassis. Long months of diligent research by the Mclntosh engineer- ing staff have produced a compact solid state preamplifier which meets all the traditional Mclntosh performance standards. The MA- 230 solid state preamplifier eliminates the drawbacks and limitations of all previous solid state circuits. The compact design of this preamplifier has allowed sufficient space to properly position a 30 watt per channel stereo tube power amplifier on the same chassis. The MA230 continues the Mclntosh repu- tation for cool and efficient operation. Careful chassis planning has permitted the output tubes to be spaced well apart. This wide spacing allows more air circulation around the tubes. Better air circulation means cooler operation. Cooler operation means longer trouble free life. The large Mclntosh output and power transformers are positioned across the center of the chassis for mechanical stability and strength. The MA230 preamplifier section is de- signed around the latest type Silicon-Planar transistors. Silicon-Planar transistors were selected because of their high thermal sta- bility, low leakage, low noise, and superior high frequency response. A total of 12 tran- sistors are used. Three transistors are used in each channel of the phono preamplifier section. Three transistors are also used in 1

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