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Switched Splurge: McIntosh 60th Anniversary Audio System
At the risk of sounding like a crabby old man, let's just say that you kids -- with your little white iPod headphones and cheapie home theater systems -- have no idea what you're missing. And as for MP3s, oh, don't even get us started mister (or missie).
Okay, you can find top-notch audio gear with some amazing new capabilities these days. Yet even over forty years ago, audio engineers had already figured out how to make premium sound -- albeit with tubes instead of chips -- that is as impressive today as it was then. High-end audio maker McIntosh revived one of those classic systems with a limited re-issue of its C22 Tube Preamplifier and MC75 Power Amplifier. Yes, you needed three pieces of gear to do what a little receiver does now, and that's just for stereo. They are bundled together into what the company calls its 60th Anniversary System -- though that's the anniversary of the company, not the gear.
The C22, introduced in 1962, looks roughly like a modern receiver, and it does boost, or "pre-amplify," the low-power signal that comes from a record turntable (remember those?), as well as switch among inputs. But the real volume comes from the MC75 monoblock amplifiers (introduced in 1961) -- one for the left speaker and one for the right. That's how they did it back in the day -- just a few years after the first stereo radio broadcasts began. (You could get a two-channel amp, like the McIntosh MC275 even back then, but purists went for a pair of so-called "monoblocks.")
Looking almost steampunk next to a modern sound system, the commemorative edition has a retro-classic vibe almost identical to the original. On the outside, stainless steel replaces a chrome finish, and it features some modern tech touches, such as short-circuit protection and an infrared remote control. The components take "balanced inputs" -- larger cables with additional wires that help to zero-out electromagnetic interference -- so you can plug nearly any source into this system and get premium audio, at least in stereo. Which is still format of choice for many purists.
But if you want to relive the golden days of hi-fi (or give your dad that gift for Father's Day) you'd better hurry. McIntosh will be selling just 120 sets (though at $15,000, with a commemorative book, they probably won't be flying off shelves). Check the company's list of dealers to find one nearest you.
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Comments
2
Subscribe to commentsletstakeawalkJun 17th 2009 5:16PM
At a price of only $15K, I wouldn't be surprised if they were already sold out...
batvetteJun 22nd 2009 5:36PM
I'd love to have this setup, right next to the '72 Pantera or slightly newer Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer I could only dream about owning someday. Pushing a pair of Klipsch speakers (you know, the ones you need to move into a larger house to make work right!) I'm sure it would sound world class and make most married guys single as fast as you can say "honey, you aren't putting that stuff in MY living room, are you?"
Those of us on a real world budget from the divorce settlement a decade or more ago and child support payments since will have to suffer along with our pre-1980 Marantz receivers. I picked up a pair over the years, one in the living room and one in the shop, (what you do with spare bedooms or garages when you make that decision yourself) and each powers a pair of thoughtfully designed homebrew speakers (with top drawer drivers) with the kind of full, "no IC chip to adulterate the signal" authority that the Mcintosh probably musters on a bad day.
I said it eleven years ago, it's still true today- "it's about the music, stupid!" not about falling on your knees for brand loyalty for the system that reproduces it- and from what I have heard about the good folks that used to and still do work for McIntosh, I'm sure they'd agree. (see Roger-Russell.com, one of their key engineers in their history who humbly shares his technical knowledge and personal history at Mcintosh in a vast website, you won't regret the time spent!) I don't know Roger personally but thank him nonetheless for some entertaining reading.