McIntosh founded by Frank McIntosh – a.k.a. “Mr. Mac” – in 1949, will be celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2019, and to commemorate this milestone, McIntosh has revealed an awesome 70th Anniversary Limited Edition Commemorative System.
The Commemorative System is comprised of two new audio products: the MC2152 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Amplifier and the C70 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. All the products in each Commemorative System are specially marked and have matching serial numbers. A “…for the love of music…” McIntosh History Book is also included and contains a certificate authenticating the system. Only 70 Commemorative Systems are being produced, making each a true collector’s item.
For each of these 70 Limited Edition Commemorative Systems sold, McIntosh will donate $1,000 to global humanitarian organization Save the Children. Founded in 1919, Save the Children will also mark a milestone anniversary in 2019 with the celebration of its centennial. In the United States and around the world, they give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.
MC2152 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Amplifier
The MC2152 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Amplifier is a 150 Watt per channel stereo amplifier and features a striking new design to honor the company’s seven decades of handcrafting some of the best home audio equipment the world has ever heard. While its design is new, the MC2152 incorporates the lessons McIntosh has learned and the techniques the company invented in its 70 years of audio engineering.
Utilizing the patented Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer technology – the same technology the company was founded on in 1949 – the full 150 Watts can be delivered to almost any pair of speakers regardless if they have 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.
The stunning new design of the MC2152 is highlighted by a bead blasted black anodized aluminum chassis accentuated with matte finish carbon fiber side panels. The front panel showcases a backlit laser cut McIntosh logo flanked by classic McIntosh knobs. The vacuum tubes are covered by a 12-gauge stainless steel wire cage with a black powder coated finish. To the back are the two Unity Coupled Output Transformers with the power transformer centered between them. All three transformers are housed in glass topped extruded enclosures displaying the wiring diagram for each transformer. A 70th Anniversary badge is laser engraved into the top plate of the enclosures.
The MC2152 uses eight KT88 output vacuum tubes plus eight small signal tubes comprised of four 12AX7A and four 12AT7 vacuum tubes; half of the tube complement is assigned to each audio channel. The 12AX7A vacuum tubes are for the Balanced and Input amps, while the 12AT7 tubes are for the Voltage and Driver amps. The LEDs under the eight small signal tubes can be set to three illumination settings: Off (which allows the tubes natural amber glow to be visible), Green or Blue – a new color option unique to the MC2152. The Sentry Monitor technology monitors the output current and shuts the amplifier off if it ever exceeds safe limits.
On the back are both balanced and unbalanced inputs, along with the patented Solid Cinch speaker binding posts to securely connect your speaker cables, and an input and output for the Power Control technology that will automatically turn other connected McIntosh components on and off.
C70 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
To go along with the MC2152 is the C70 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. The C70 harkens back to yesteryear with an all analog design and a retro look. The glass front panel is inscribed with special McIntosh 70th Anniversary lettering.
The C70 features one 12AT7 and five 12AX7A vacuum tubes that are visible through a glass panel on the top cover. All control operations are done via knobs and rocker switches. Modern LED indicators will denote input selection and volume level. The C70 has seven inputs consisting of two balanced inputs, three unbalanced inputs, and one each of Moving Coil and Moving Magnet phono inputs. For outputs, there are two pairs each of balanced and unbalanced connections.
On the front panel, bass and treble tone controls are included and can be adjusted in 2dB increments via rotary knobs. Rotary knobs are also used to adjust the impedance and capacitance for the phono inputs. In addition to controlling the listening level, the volume knob can also adjust the relative volume balance between the left and right audio channels. A ¼” headphone jack powered by the High Drive headphone amplifier is included and features McIntosh’s Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) technology. HXD brings added dimension to your music in a natural sounding way but can be turned off depending on your preferences. Five rocker switches are used to control the following functions: tone control on/ off; change between mono and stereo mode; HXD on/off; and to turn the independent output 1 and output 2 on/off.
The C70 sits atop a beautiful polished stainless steel chassis and features the timeless McIntosh black glass front panel, illuminated logo, control knobs, and aluminum end caps. The Power Control technology is included with four ports that can automatically turn other connected McIntosh components on and off. Data ports are also present and can control basic functions of connected McIntosh source components such as CD Players via the C70’s remote control.
Pricing and Availability
The 70th Anniversary Limited Edition Commemorative System will retail for $22,000 USD and begin shipping in December.
After the 70th Anniversary Limited Edition Commemorative Systems are sold out, the two components will be available separately: the MC2152 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Amplifier will retail for $15,000 USD, while the C70 70th Anniversary Vacuum Tube Preamplifier will retail for $7,000 USD.
For more info, please visit www.mcintoshlabs.com
