McIntosh Labs turns 60, reissues classic amp

Steve Guttenberg reminds us that McIntosh Laboratories, makers of high-end audiophilic tube amplifiers and possessors of one of the finest logotypes around, turn 60 this year. They’ve reissued the MC75 monoblock tube amp for $15,000 to celebrate.

1. [lyd]

   Fifteen THOUSAND dollars? I mean, come on. It is very pretty, and I’m sure it sounds wonderful, but that is just madness.

2. [ROSSINDETROIT]

   In the last couple of years I’ve sold a pair of restored original MC75s for $2500 and an original C22 for $2500. Three times that for brand new ones? Add in the rarity factor of the limited production of the reissues and maybe it’s not unreasonably priced.

3. [ROSSINDETROIT]

   The $15k is for all 3 pieces. With a run of only 120 sets they’re undoubtedly long sold out.

4. [Wovixo]

   $15k isn’t really that crazy.

   Check out Audiogon for some insanity.

   For example:

   http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1244480606

5. [ROSSINDETROIT]

   $15k crazy? I think this Audio Note Ongaku 27 watt power amp is still $100K.
   http://www.audionote.co.uk/products/amps_integrated/ongaku_01.shtml

   And they sell a LOT of them.

   I like my little Audio Note AX-2 Sig. speakers but I drive them with someone else’s amps, thanks.

6. [ROSSINDETROIT]

   Oh, and here’s a $14,500.00 power cable too…

   http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?powrcabl&1241995213&%2FBMI-Oceanic-Statement-power-co

7. [ROSSINDETROIT]

   Oops. Correction. The Audio Note Ongaku amp is only $79,350.00.

   http://www.dagogo.com/AudioNoteONGAKU-Review.html

8. [prion]

   If money is really no object, than the extra few percentage points of fidelity can really be worth it. Not to mention the visceral satisfaction obtained when you pair it with the right full range loudspeakers…

   AND it comes with a REMOTE!!!?!?!! This is a bargain at twice the price!

9. [kc0bbq]

   I wish McIntosh still made everything in a chrome finish. They were amazing looking.

10. [ROSSINDETROIT]

    The chrome finish on the early pieces was problematic. I’ve owned over a dozen Mac pieces from the 60s and 70s. The chrome chassis were bent up out of steel that was plated on one side. Bending it stretches the edges and exposes bare steel. This leads to corrosion. Also dust falling on the chassis attracts moisture and leads to pitting. I’ve seen many of these and it’s very rare to find one without light to moderate rusting. A better manufacturing method is to bend up the chassis then plate it. This achieves a more complete coating of rust preventative chrome but is more expensive.

11. [kc0bbq]

    I just like chrome.

    That’s why I’ll always lust after E H Scott and McMurdo radios. Chrome everything. No exposed surface of any component or bit of chassis should have anything other than a mirror shine.

12. [Anonymous]

    Even better than plating after bending Mc uses stainless for all the chasis