Legendary manufacturer McIntosh is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Founded in 1949, it has become one of the most renowned brands in the world and is synonymous with audiophile quality. Its luxurious electronics are instantly recognizable with their large blue VU meters. To commemorate its 75th anniversary, McIntosh has revealed several limited edition creations, including an impressive 200-watt amplifier that lives up to the company’s reputation.
McIntosh’s audiophile origins
Is there really any need to introduce McIntosh? Since its creation in Maryland in 1949 by Frank McIntosh, the brand, whose full appellation is McIntosh Laboratory, has been a major player in the world of high fidelity. Pursuing his goal of offering a natural, distortion-free amplifier, Frank McIntosh quickly caught the ear of music lovers with the McIntosh 50W-1, his very first power amplifier. The brand continues to build on this success, offering increasingly powerful devices, recognized as much for their musicality as for their distinctive, elegant design.
It wasn’t until the 1960s that the brand first incorporated large, blue backlit VU meters housed behind polished glass. This distinctive feature remains the hallmark of McIntosh to this day, as do the imposing chassis, the visible tubes often illuminated by a green LED and the glass front panels. 75 years after its creation, McIntosh offers a wide catalog of equipment. Its power amplifiers, preamplifiers, stereo amplifiers, AV receivers and turntables all offer outstanding specifications.
McIntosh’s wall of sound
From the 60s onwards, McIntosh went beyond the living room, providing sound systems for numerous live concerts. The brand was notably present at the legendary Woodstock Festival in 1969, where the McIntosh MI200 and McIntosh MC3500 amplifiers were instrumental in the success of the incredible wall of sound. Recently, the American manufacturer has revived this iconic model with the McIntosh MC3500 MKII. It features its latest technological advances to efficiently develop 350 watts of power into 2, 4 and 8 ohms.
McIntosh MC2.1KW: the 75th anniversary amp
Only just announced, the McIntosh MC2.1KW power amplifier celebrates the American manufacturer’s 75th anniversary. This exceptional model weighing 181kg can develop a colossal power of 2000 watts. It consists of three separate devices, with two power modules that each contain a 1000-watt amplifier. The latter transmit signals to an output module equipped with a bi-filar wound McIntosh Autoformer transformer to burning the power to 2000 watts into 2, 4 and 8 ohms. As a result, the manufacturer claims to be able to achieve the very best performance not only from its new McIntosh XRT2.1K speaker, but also from any other reputedly demanding model. An exceptional amplifier whose €65,000 price tag testifies to its lofty aspirations.
75th Anniversary special editions
To commemorate its 75th anniversary, the American manufacturer is also releasing limited editions of the McIntosh MC1.25KW power amplifier, McIntosh C12000 preamp, McIntosh MA12000 integrated amplifier and McIntosh MCD1200 CD/SACD player. The anniversary editions of these models feature a distinctive anodized badge proudly sporting a laser-etched 75th anniversary logo. This logo also adorns each handle. These models are true collector’s items, marking a milestone in the history of one of the most iconic brands in high-fidelity.
After 75 years, McIntosh continues to represent hi-fi excellence. The brand still manages to push boundaries, as exemplified by the impressive 2000W RMS McIntosh MC2.1KW. The manufacturer perpetuates its heritage and proves that, even after three quarters of a century, its passion for sonic perfection and power remain intact. McIntosh seems determined to continue enriching the world of music, offering incomparable listening experiences that stand the test of time.
