Big Mac Attack
Suspended beneath the deck -- the rear deck of the car, that is -- is a McIntosh MC420 power amplifier. Purchased in 1996 after a glowing review in a once glowing car audio magazine (rest in peace, Bill), this one-of-a-kind MC420 really lights up the Saturn's audio system; and I hope you'll pardon the forthcoming pun.

Face value of the amp is 4x50, for 200 total watts of power. But that's face value, and who in their right mind runs car audio amplifiers at face value?

As car amplifiers are supposed to have done, this amp has channels 1 & 2 bridged in stereo into 2 Ohms, doubling the power output to 100 watts per channel; channels 3 & 4 are combined for a 4 Ohm mono load. Stereo channels drive the system's satellites while the mono channel drives the subwoofer. Convenient.

You, Light Up My Life
So what's so <expletive> special about a 4-channel amp being bridged into a 3-channel powerhouse? Well, I'll tell you

He's going to tell -- He's going to tell! He's going to tell -- He's going to tell!

Not like that! Not like that!

No, what makes this Mac so darned cool in my book (and the book of many-a-McIntosh afficionado) is that the "McIntosh" logo -- black-masked by the factory -- has been back-lit by me...and a little help from the now-defunct Austin Innovations. That process will be detailed soon enough, though I'd not advise the holding of breath. Anyone who's visited this site before knows all-too-well how long it sometimes takes me to get to things.

But, enough of that. Let's move onto the satellites. >>

 

 

intro :: deck :: amplifier :: front satellites :: rear satellites :: subwoofer :: wiring :: installation