Gizmodo: mcintosh

60th Anniversary McIntosh MXA60 Integrated Audio System Going for a Mere $7,500

Rosa Golijan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:40:00 EST

Many audiophiles drool over McIntosh gear and probably won't think too much about spending $7,500 on this vacuum tube preamplifer-powered, CD/SACD/MP3 player-toting MXA60 integrated audio system. I can't even blame them. It probably sounds as great as it looks.

This is the 60th anniversary edition of McIntosh's first-ever standalone integrated audio system and it's supposed to have all the quality of larger systems in a compact package. Whether it does that well or not, I don't know. I'm not a big enough audiophile to even consider shelling out this much for a system. [Crunch Gear]

This Is what $1,100,000 in Audio Equipment Looks Like

Rosa Golijan — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 EDT

Wowza. Ivan Messer brings a new meaning to audiophile as he already spent well over five years tweaking and tuning his equipment to perfection. His $1.1 million in Richard Gray and McIntosh audio equipment that is.

I doubt that the picture can even convey just how much equipment, time, love and care the guy has put into things:

The current breakdown on his room has about $800,000 worth of McIntosh gear, which is predominantly source components, amplifiers and speakers. Then, there's about $125,000 on the video side. The rest is cosmetic-decorating, seating and woodwork. Then, he has maybe another $80,000 in just software, which includes 6,000 Blu-ray movies, CDs and DVDs.

Considering that this equipment listing is what he had around this time last year, it's anyone's guess what he's up to by now.

The sad part though? "Ivan doesn't crank this system to 11-unless it's for a demo." Seems like a shame with a system like that. I could definitely think of songs to blast on it. [Electronic House via Boing Boing]

McIntosh Celebrates its 60th Anniversary, Blasts Tube Amps Into the 21st Century

Odelia Lee — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:40:00 EDT

Audiophiles across the world have their minds blown as McIntosh upgrades two classic home audio components in the "Classic Systems" limited release. I'd be more excited if I had $15,000 to blow on audio equipment.

For its 60th anniversary yesterday, McIntosh Labs released the new MC75 tube amplifier (modeled after the original 1961 version) and the C22 preamplifier (modeled from the original 1962 version). The distinctly retro look of both devices remain true to the original designs, while many internal circuit enhancements improve reliability of the equipment to meet modern specifications. The backlit glass and brushed anodized aluminum definitely preserves the iconic character of audio equipment from generations past, and now I have reoccurring flashbacks of dad in his bell bottoms fiddling with his old high-end stereo system trying to get Creedence Clearwater Revival to play at full blast.

At a snub to the current generation music lovers, there's nary an iPod dock nor HDMI input in sight. The most modern upgrade the McIntosh dudes added was a remote control for the preamp. And in true snobby audiophile style, only 120 of these sonic treasures will be released in the U.S. [McIntosh]