Introduction

The MC312 from McIntosh is a high-end stereo, 2-channel solid-state power amplifier designed to bring serious performance to demanding hi-fi systems. It carries the brand’s hallmark build quality and aesthetic—polished stainless steel chassis, black glass front panel, blue-lit meters—and pairs those visuals with robust engineering tailored for long-term, high-fidelity applications.

This amplifier is targeted at audiophiles who want both refinement and power: it delivers consistent output across 2, 4 or 8 ohm loads, offers features suited for linking with premium pre-amplifiers and other separates, and integrates modern enhancements while staying true to the classic McIntosh look.

The MC312 is packed full of other exclusive McIntosh technologies:

• Power Guard^® that monitors and adjusts the input signal at the speed of light and makes real time adjustments to prevent harsh sounding and potentially speaker damaging clipping
• Sentry Monitor^™ - our fuse-less short-circuit protection circuit that disengages the output stage before current exceeds safe operating levels and then resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal
• Power Control to send power on/off signals to other connected McIntosh components (such as CD Players, turntables, tuners and media streamers) for easy system power up and shutdown
• Our patented Solid Cinch^™ s
• peaker binding posts that easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose and possibly causing a short; the binding posts are also gold-plated to prevent corrosion and ensure a quality signal is sent over your speaker cables

Technical Specifications

Power Output:

• 300 watts per channel into 2, 4, or 8 ohms (both channels driven)

Number of Channels:

• 2 (stereo)

Circuit Type:

• Solid-state, push-pull complementary configuration

• Autoformer™ output stage for full power delivery into all impedances

Total Harmonic Distortion:

• 0.005% maximum (20 Hz – 20 kHz)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio:

• 120 dB (balanced)

• 118 dB (unbalanced)

Dynamic Headroom:

• 2.3 dB

Damping Factor:

• Greater than 40 (wideband)

Frequency Response:

• +0 / -0.25 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz

• +0 / -3.0 dB from 10 Hz to 100 kHz

Inputs:

• 2 balanced (XLR)

• 2 unbalanced (RCA)

Outputs:

• 2 balanced and 2 unbalanced (for bi-amping, tri-amping, or additional system feed)

Speaker Terminals:

• Solid Cinch™ gold-plated binding posts

Dimensions (W × H × D):

• 17.5″ × 9.4″ × 22″ (44.5 cm × 24 cm × 55.9 cm)

Weight:

• 105 lbs (47.6 kg) net

• 138 lbs (62.6 kg) shipping