McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment based in Binghamton, New York. The company was founded in 1949 by Frank McIntosh. McIntosh is highly recognizable for their black glass front panels, "McIntosh Blue" amplifier power meters and iconic logo.
Company history
In 1946 Frank McIntosh, a design consultant for broadcast and TV stations, hired Gordon Gow to help him design a high power, low distortion amplifier needed for his clients. This amplifier would become the 50W-1. It included McIntosh’s first patented circuit, the Unity Coupled Circuit, still used by current products.
In 1956, the company moved to its current location of 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York.
Dave O’Brien joined McIntosh in 1962. He led the McIntosh Amplifier Clinics for the next 30 years.
McIntosh created a Loudspeaker division 1967
McIntosh amplifiers were used at the Woodstock Music Festival in 1969.
The Grateful Dead's “Wall of Sound†reputedly used forty-eight 300-watt per channel McIntosh model MC 2300 solid state amplifiers for a total of 28,800 watts of continuous power
Frank McIntosh retired in 1977 and Gordon Gow became President of McIntosh.
More notable products
Early 1970s: MC 2300 Power Amplifier, 300 WPC
Early 1980s: MC 2500 Power Amplifier, 500 WPC Power Guard and similar chassis to MC 2300
Around 1990: MC 2600 Power Amplifier, 600 WPC Power Guard final version on MC 2300 Chassis
Around 1990: MC 7300, 300 WPC and much smaller than MC 2300
Japanese years
The company was purchased by Japanese car audio maker Clarion in 1990. McIntosh components, particularly the early tube models, are highly regarded in Japan. In a speech shortly after the purchase, Clarion president Yutaka Oyamada told McIntosh employees, "...we like McIntosh as it is, and we have no intention of changing what has made it so successful." Since the Clarion purchase, McIntosh has expanded into car audio and home theater.
In May 2003, McIntosh was sold by Clarion to D&M Holdings, also of Japan. McIntosh continues to operate independent engineering, design, and production operations in accordance with the company's tradition.
Italian years
On October 8, 2012, Fine Sounds SpA of Milan, Italy announced it had purchased McIntosh.
Return to the United States
In May 2014, the CEO of Fine Sounds Group along with the President of McIntosh Labs led a management buyout of the Fine Sounds Group from its Italian investment firm owner, Quadrivio Investment Group. Since then Fine Sounds group has now renamed itself McIntosh Group and relocated from Milan to New York
Car audio
While car audio is no longer included in their current catalog, models once available include a CD changer, CD changer/AM/FM controller, and an external DAC.
Unique features such as the Fast Responding Wattmeter and the patented Power Guard circuitry set their amplifiers apart from others' products; various models were available offering from 75 to 2000 watts, divided amongst one to six channels. High quality power supplies, powerful circuit topologies, and balanced inputs completed each amplifier.
At the end of the chain used to lie their hand-built drivers, which came in standard 5-1/4″ and 6-1/2″ nominal sizes. All applicable car products were finished with McIntosh's signature glass plate displays.
A few vehicles were available from the factory with McIntosh sound systems, including Subaru Legacy/Outback models (starting from the BH & BE Legacy chassis) and the 2005â€"2006 Ford GT.
Mobile App
McIntosh Labs mobile app 'AP1 AUDIO PLAYER', developed by [x]cubelabs, enables its customers listen to the music on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The app features the company's signature blue meters and has interface inspired from company's line of audio equipment. Later on the company also introduced AirPlay technology in the app to help users wirelessly stream music to their devices.
References
External links
- Official website
- McIntosh Resource @ The High Fidelity Museum
