Many two-channel audio firms have abandoned efforts to develop products for the home-theater crowd, but one venerable manufacturer is doing much more than keeping a toe in those waters. New York-based manufacturer McIntosh Laboratory Inc. is in up to its shoulders, and swimming ahead at a strong pace.
McIntosh typically brings a formidable stereo rig to audio shows, with so many deep blue lights glowing that the demo room looks like the bridge of an alien craft in a sci-fi thriller. The company shipped its big audio system again to Denver for the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, but this time rented a connecting room to show off some new A/V products as well.
When I visited the home-theater side of the exhibit, a big screen was showing “Unbroken,” a 2014 WWII drama directed by Angelina Jolie. Equipment included its new MVP901 Blu-ray player ($5,500), which was reading the movie disc, and the MC8027 seven-channel amp (200 watts x seven, $6,000).
The surround processor was the MX160 ($14,000), which supports object-based 3D audio formats including Dolby Atmos and Auro-3D and will be upgradable for DTS:X. The unit also decodes older sound technologies. On the video end, the MX160 plays 4K Ultra HD native sources and up-converts lower-resolutions formats to 4K Ultra HD.
RMAF coverage courtesy of Noble Audio: https://nobleaudio.com/
The demo featured an aerial battle scene involving an American bomber and attacking enemy fighters. The roaring engines of the bomber showed off the system’s bass response, while the machine-gun fire and explosions were nicely positioned and could be tracked as bullets zipped by or found their mark. Dialog from three or four young U.S. flyboys also was clear amidst the din.
I asked a McIntosh rep if the MVP901, which produced a beautiful picture by the way, might be the company’s last video-disc player, now that streaming is disrupting the market.
“No, I don’t think so,” he replied. “So many people have thousands of dollars invested in their DVD libraries that there will continue to be a demand for quality players.”
I checked into the other room for a while and sampled a variety of tracks on the company’s two-channel rig, which included a variety of McIntosh components and a pair of Sonus Fabor II Cremonese speakers ($45,000 a pair). Sonus Faber is owned by McIntosh’s parent, Fine Sounds Group.
McIntosh equipment in the audio system included a C2600 tube preamp ($7,000), two MC601 monoblock amplifiers (600 watts, $7,000 each), an MT5 turntable ($6,500), a MEN220 equalizer/room-correction device ($5,000) and about $4,000 of house-brand cable.
The sound from a streamed source sounded detailed, but liquid, which are typical traits of the Sonus Fabers and the McIntosh valve preamp. The bass was on the full side, which likely was a result of having such large speakers driven by 600 watts in a very small room.
The 67-year-old company lately has been holding road shows it calls “The World of McIntosh.” From its RMAF exhibit, it appears to be thriving on both the video and two-channel ends of the home-electronics globe. Expect those blue lights to be glowing for some time to come.
..you done good for a 67 year old John…I’ve got a year on you and am adept at taking out-of-focus-photos, etc…as well. Don’t let these whipper snappers get you down old buddy 🙂
Not sure if it matters that much but the video room had a sub woofer that was, in my estimation, turned up too much (not in balance with the rest of the sound system). Of course, this is how most folks in the HT crowd have their subs tuned also (or so it seems)…
“URGENT. Central Control to Scot Hull. PTA ‘IU1’ immediately required at Central Control…” (‘IM1’: $25k image unit one, bigger than Scot’s head, maybe even bigger than my head!)
Damn, who takes those out of focus pictures?
Guilty. Very dark room. Brightly glowing dials. Nikon D5300 with zoom hand-held at less than 1/30th of a second. People squeezing by. Fifty-seven-year old nerves. Low blood sugar. You try it! (Actually, I knew these didn’t turn out so good and went back last thing Sunday, but the door was already locked. Sorry, I’m no Rafe Arnott. Hope you enjoyed the text.)