Yes. It has really been 75 years for McIntosh.
It was a total fluke that my two eldest children decided to attend SUNY-Binghamton, which is also based in Vestal, and that created the opportunity to spend some time at the factory during the pandemic with McIntosh President, Charlie Randall, who showed me every square inch of the facility.
Few American high-end audio brands have both the legacy and global marketing power of McIntosh and its customer base stretches from one corner of the globe to the other.
Professional athletes, movie stars, musicians, global financiers, and generations of audiophiles have opened their wallets for the famed blue meters; one can find their products in the most expensive homes, boats, and hotels on the planet.
Luxury auto manufacturers such as Maserati and Jeep offer McIntosh and Sonus faber premium car audio systems in their vehicles and one can even find their legacy products in Jazz Kissa throughout Japan, or even on yachts in the deep blue sea.
The recently opened House of Sound in New York City has reset the bar on the high-end retail experience and it is clear that the McIntosh Group has big plans for all of the brands under its umbrella.
Go Big or Go Home?
McIntosh, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2024, has announced the launch of its new MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier, one of the brand’s most powerful amplifiers to date.
Before you choke on the $50,000 retail price, remember that this amplifier is aimed at a very specific type of customer with a budget that likely stretches to $500,000 for a complete system. That would not be us — but don’t be surprised when they sell the first 75 without very much effort.
The tri-chassis marvel possesses the ability to deliver an astonishing 2,000 watts of pristine McIntosh power, offering a best-in-class user experience and setting a new industry standard for power and amplification.
The new MC2.1KW transforms the two-channel home audio reproduction experience, marking the brand’s 75th anniversary with pristine, powerful audio unlike ever before.
To commemorate this milestone, the first 75 pairs of MC2.1KW sold in 2024 to each country McIntosh is distributed in will include special anniversary badging with “75 Years” engraved in the handles and a special medallion with their 75th logo on top, establishing these models as a true collector’s items for McIntosh enthusiasts.
“A result of McIntosh’s 75 years as the leader of sound reproduction, the MC2.1KW is the pinnacle of audio amplification and a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to sonic perfection,” said McIntosh president Charlie Randall. “The perfect product to commemorate McIntosh’s 75th anniversary, the MC2.1KW is the embodiment of our passion, and it invites audio enthusiasts to embark on an extraordinary journey through sound with one of our most powerful amplifiers yet.”
Leveraging three separate modules – one Output Module that houses McIntosh’s famed bi-filar wound Autoformer, and two Power Modules that each contain a 1,000-Watt amplifier, the MC2.1KW’s artful engineering delivers unmatched sound quality.
Thanks to the brand’s Autoformer and its unique ability to output full power at three separate impedances, the full 2,000 watts of power can be delivered into a speaker no matter if its impedance is 2, 4 or 8 Ohms.
It is ideally suited for audio systems that have power hungry loudspeakers, systems located in extremely large rooms, or for audio enthusiasts who simply demand the latest and best in state-of-the-art home audio amplification.
Aesthetics
Crafted with stainless steel chassis polished to a gleaming mirrored finish and immaculate metal casework, the MC2.1KW is a visual masterpiece with black glass front panels, illuminated logos, rotary knobs, aluminum handles, and a responsive blue watt meter complete the timeless design.
Key Upgrades
Following the MC2KW’s introduction in 2005, the next generation MC2.1KW offers many sonic upgrades. Chief among them are substantially larger filter capacitors that improve the performance of low-end frequencies, as well as significantly improving dynamic headroom.
There are patented Solid Cinch speaker binding posts for 2 Ohms, 4 Ohms, and 8 Ohms, with the connectors for each impedance rating located on a separate platform on the back of the Output Module.
Each output platform also has three sets of identical binding posts to facilitate bi- or tri-wiring the loudspeaker.
Four McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks are found on each Power Module, which maintain efficient heat dissipation and ensure consistent audio quality from the first note to the last.
In addition, the dual sets of balanced and unbalanced inputs on the MC2.1KW provide added system flexibility, conveniently providing listeners with the ability to connect to more than one preamplifier and easily switch between vacuum tube and solid state signals.
Other upgrades include enhanced circuit designs with modern components and shorter signal paths; updated electrical wiring; bayonet IP68 rated interconnect cables that connect the three modules together; and direct LED front panel lighting.
The following four existing McIntosh products will also be available in 2024 with optional anniversary badging: MC1.25KW Amplifier, C12000 Preamplifier, MA12000 Integrated Amplifier, and MCD12000 SACD/CD Player.
The anniversary version of the C12000 will be limited to just 75 units per country.
Price & Availability
The MC2.1KW will be available through authorized McIntosh dealers beginning in February 2024 and retail for $50,000.
For an exclusive demonstration, visit the House of Sound in New York City or the McIntosh factory in Binghamton, NY.
For more information: mcintoshlabs.com
