Legendary Luxury System Reissue Includes Two MC75 Monoblock Amps in Combination with a C22 Preamp; Only 120 Sets Available in North America
McIntosh Laboratory, renowned as a leading manufacturer of the world’s best and most complete ultra-luxury home entertainment solutions, today announced that its highly anticipated 60th anniversary limited-edition reissues of legendary amplifiers are now available at select retailers. The reissued components, including the MC75 monoblock tube amplifier (modeled after the original 1961 version) and the C22 preamplifier (originally introduced in 1962), comprise McIntosh’s new Limited Edition 60th anniversary “Classic System.” Both components have been updated for use in today’s modern home entertainment universe, and only 120 sets of the classic system will be available in North America, for a suggested retail price of $15,000.
The luxury components will be packaged along with a special numbered version of the beautiful McIntosh tabletop book, for the love of music, signed by author Ken Kessler, renowned audio engineer and McIntosh co-founder Sidney Corderman, who wrote the foreword to the book, and McIntosh President Charlie Randall. Chronicling the McIntosh legacy since its founding in the early 1940s, for the love of music begins with the story of how Frank McIntosh, who ran an engineering firm that designed broadcast television stations, recognized the limitations of then-available audio equipment and set out to build a better amplifier. The resulting prototype became the famed 50W-1, a product that set new standards in audio amplification and is still the foundation of all high-performance amplifiers today.
Noted Mr. Randall: “As McIntosh looks back on our 60 years in home entertainment we have much to be proud of, not the least of which is the integral part we played in the emergence of what came to be known as ‘high fidelity.’ Our Classic System reissue is a storied reminder of our influential audio pedigree, and reflects two of our greatest triumphs, both now available with performance improvements and updated circuitry to ensure their continued technological superiority.”
Two Components that Defined the Age of High Fidelity
The McIntosh MC75 75-watt per channel stereo amplifier was introduced in 1961, just three years after the BBC began its first regular broadcasts in stereo sound. The debut of this ultimate-quality monoblock amp reflected McIntosh’s early and continuing commitment to pushing the limits of performance and providing customers with the very best solutions in audio. Largely true to the original design, the new Limited Edition MC75 offers many circuit updates that improve reliability while retaining the alluring sonic character of the original. Among the updates is a custom application of the patented Sentry Monitor short circuit protection. Balanced inputs and outputs are added to make the amplifier ready for today’s digital sources. The MC75 develops 75 watts into 2, 4, or 8 ohms. A brilliant, triple-polished gold color titanium stainless steel chassis takes the place of chrome plating for a stunning appearance that lasts a lifetime.
Introduced in 1962, the McIntosh C22 Tube Preamplifier ushered in the era of the audio preamp as the “control center”. Designed to function as a superb line stage, phono preamp, equalizer and input switch, the C22 raised the bar for competing preamplifiers, and forged a standard of features and flexibility for future McIntosh preamp designs that endures to this day. The 60th anniversary C22 recreates the look and feel of the original with its backlit glass and brushed anodized aluminum front panel, and sees the addition of a number of circuit enhancements that bring the design current with recent McIntosh preamplifier specifications. Balanced inputs and outputs are provided to ensure optimum performance with fine quality source components, while the addition of a moving coil and moving magnet phono amplifier guarantees compatibility with the widest range of phono cartridges. Created with modern materials and manufacturing methods, all signal switching in the C22 is done with electromagnetic switches driven by Digital Logic. Lastly, in what is perhaps the most striking nod to contemporary technology, the Limited Edition C22 comes complete with an IR remote control.
About McIntosh Laboratory
McIntosh Laboratory celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2009, and the company’s unswerving commitment to excellence, innovation and quality continues to define the state-of-the-art in high fidelity and bring discriminating consumers around the world an elevated home entertainment experience. McIntosh luxury audio and video products are designed and manufactured at the company’s Binghamton, New York headquarters. Its products reflect unmatched levels of performance, superlative engineering and hand craftsmanship. Built to last for decades, McIntosh components demand nothing less than an equal level of commitment to customer support and service. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is a D&M Holdings company.
