Behind the blue: The making of McIntosh's iconic amplifiers

McIntosh make one of the most legendary amplifiers in high-end audio, used by The Grateful Dead and James Murphy alike.
In the latest of our behind-the-scenes factory tours, we visit their famous Laboratory to see how the blue-panelled icons are made.
More info: thevinylfactor...
Filmed by Jonathan Karam and edited by Lucas Lobe.

[@ttrack9089]

One of the loveliest pieces of electronics ever!

[@salvadormp1938]

Yes sir, yes indeed.

[@bentleygt3716]

talking about Well made and great quality. i'm glad there's something STILL MADE in the U.S.A

[@generalzod7959]

I've never heard a Macintosh amp but, i love their style & design. A nice, old school design!

[@josephartuso6985]

Worth every penny all day long!

[@ronaldlee3537]

I have always admired the company. They made a mono-channel tube amplifier that weighs 120lbs. Their amps are highly sought after in Japan. I knew one man who made a living by exporting used Mac equipment to Japan, he also did JBL products also.

[@1Rabih]

What an amazing company, everything so lovingly and professionally crafted and made. Much love and respect.

[@dennylegendre6048]

Fell in love with McIntosh in the mid 80’s as a youngster. Now as an adult, I use their vintage amp (MC 2105) and Preamplifier ( C28). Pushing my Bose 901’s. Clean warm sound.

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

Seriously?

[@cengeb]

Oy vey.....you gotta be kidding

[@dennylegendre6048]

@@cengeb Kidding about what?

[@cengeb]

@@dennylegendre6048 Bose 901?

[@dennylegendre6048]

@@cengeb I’ve always been a 901 fan. All that talk about highs and lows is a myth in my opinion. The sound stage that they produce is amazing.

[@iamjackalope]

When you see those big blue meters on the front of the amp staring you in the face you know you are in the presence of greatness. There is a reason that McIntosh is so widely revered and you see it in this video.

[@cengeb]

It's unknown by millions, it is not revered by anyone but very few..putting autotransformers on output stages on SS ckts is just dumb, electronics improves, don't stay locked in the 1950s....Ever hear of HDTV, certainly improved tvs didn't it? Or would you want obsolete analog crt?

[@sharkheadism]

You are pathetic

[@cengeb]

@@sharkheadism I am realistic and current, it's not 1950 anymore

[@uk7769]

@@cengeb Whoa, you are treading on sacred ground man. You just have to 'believe' it sounds better when you spend that much money on an amplifier! No amount of scientific advancement can ever beat tube amplifiers. There's magic fairy pixie dust inside of every tube. You just can't beat it.

[@Afterimage_Rush]

@@cengeb hahaha you are stupid. Stay with your insignia TV. Mcintosh is not a playground for ignorant kids like you 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@6JM6tube]

Amazing!! I like so much McIntosh tube amplifiers and his output transformers. Great electronic designs and quality tubes and components. Thanks for this video.

[@rare6499]

Fantastic work. Controlling each aspect of the manufacturing process is a rare thing these days!!

[@cengeb]

Vertical integration is an OBSOLETE mfg. concept, making your own boards and transformers is DUMB

[@janplexy]

Not if you pay €50K for an amp

[@cengeb]

@@johnny_blz yup, wanna bet the marketing dept is bigger than engineering and design....it's a fading company...basically irrelevant in 21st century...when ya can buy a 55 ' in LG OLED tv for like $1,300 from costco with a 3 year add on free warranty...these grossly over priced home electronics is a goof...these comedians sell a friggin CLOCK for $1,000 what planet are they on

[@cengeb]

@@janplexy if they knew how to source stuff it wouldn't be so grossly OVERPRICED, they are an obsolete mfg. company....it's 2022, not 1922

[@BobBasshead]

I remember back in the early 60's my father had a friend who had a stereo repair shop in Toms River, New Jersey, his name was Dwayne R. He had a collection of McIntosh amplifiers, vacuum tubes chrome chassis. What a sight! I'd like to know what ever became of that collection.

[@cengeb]

Chome is toxic, dumb to still use it for plating metal chassis

[@1999zrx1100]

I just love my Mac. Took me years to pull the trigger, wish I had done it sooner. Smile every time I power her up. Life is too short. 😎

[@1999zrx1100]

Maybe, but been there and done that. Been at this for over 30 years. Buy used and save a bundle. Can’t loose down the road. Good stuff holds it value for ever.

[@maxnix346]

@Csab But never for as long nor at such a high level. I know.

[@Steven-zg5bq]

you dont get it

[@jasons2562]

One of the best videos I’ve seen and what a great American company and such high quality

[@larkincrutcher3424]

Years ago I was a McIntosh repairman. The quality is one of the best in the industry. Never got many in to fix. The glass face-panels will never age because the labeling is internal. They are lifetime quality buys?

[@pastorofmuppets325]

I'm curious: In the highly unlikely scenario that one of those MASSIVE TRANSFORMERS/TOROIDS should let go... Do you order a new "Tar-Filled" unit from McIntosh, or do you dig that puppy out of the muck, & then re-tar it? 😜 It's gotta be the former, right?

[@firesurfer]

I've seen the inside face separate. There is no way to fix it, except to replace it.

[@stevepuddlejumperpilot6062]

I bought a Yamaha M-80 amp back in 1984 and it has been fantastic. Never a problem with it, but, someday, I want to get a McIntosh. Beautiful amps.

[@larryboles629]

​I can not say it any better than this: "When you see those big blue meters on the front of the amp staring you in the face you know you are in the presence of greatness. There is a reason that McIntosh is so widely revered and you see it in this video." Jack Lope ​

[@dijin456]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ..I can't afford your stuff..but iam glad someone is building esoteric magic...

[@orronoco524]

This is only half what we know about making a McIntosh amplifier. The layout designer, the engineering, and the R&D that cost so much, thats we shoud also appreciate to the product like this 👍

[@tapirman111]

Another great video. Would love to be able to afford a McIntosh some day.

[@mads918]

@Matias D.C how much weed u smoking ma nigga

[@NielsCG]

put away 19 dls a day, and one year later yo got one!

[@gavincurtis]

You have 2 kidneys right? If you don’t drink, add that healthy extra liver lobe.... you’re well on your way.

[@oysteinsoreide4323]

@@gavincurtis Nobody should be selling off internal organs for some electronics.

[@CraigBickerstaff]

If you started saving when you wrote this comment you probably could buy one by now.

[@wal]

Great video! Can I use a short segment in my video about the MC443 car audio amplifier and link to your video?

[@helmuttdvm]

I wish I had never sold the McIntosh equipment I had in the 70s. Quality never goes out of style!

[@digidrum2003]

We have all been there....sold or givin away audio gear that we later wish we had back.

[@The_Music_Sanctuary]

My retirement gift to myself...some day....

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

Tim Sir I’m with you on that.👍👍👍 If I win the Euromillions I promise you will be included in the Purchase of whatever you want😜

[@jacquylenoir9097]

@Jackal Ne pas mélanger HI-FI et MP3

[@Anth4044]

Absolutely amazing thanks I truly enjoyed that

[@jaycoleman8062]

I recently purchased an MA-252 amp & XR50 speakers together. Wonderful sound. Beautiful to look at as well.

[@mrbungle83]

Wow what a dedication too music Imagine being able to have this equipment playing analog music It's also beautiful & shines with quality

[@davidstein9129]

Fine quality amplifiers.

[@ivandjdocrodriguez]

Love McIntosh Amps

[@marianszarf6267]

Great product.

[@jaylawrence1784]

I love my MC 302!!!!!!!

[@wayneque2101]

I am a Canadian I reside in Ontario , in Ajax . I purchased my , MAC. 4100 receiver in 1986 from Bay Bloor radio, at Bay And Yonge I have it to this day, the enjoyment I have had is worth a million dollars 💵, I made a wise choice back in the day! I want to thank the manufacturer of this fantastic product, long live MAC. Nobody Will Touch MAC.🎼🎹🥁🎷🎺🎻🎸💿📀💽🎵🎶🔈🔉🔊📢

[@maxnix346]

McIntosh Lab equipment is forever with no degradation in performance.

[@xalint1]

McIntosh has to be one of the most recognize amplifiers out there today. First let me point out they are out of my budget but one of the first ones I seen believe or not was their car amplifiers. I remember the iconic blue lit up meters from that moment I was hooked. Over the years I have followed there various models of home units and to this day I would love to have them as part of my home theater.

[@juanarellano5511]

Great amplifier, McIntosh is "creme of creme" in the world... 👍

[@herbertbielefelder341]

Actually, it's not the case, Juán.

[@gizzy2403]

@@herbertbielefelder341 yes it it...

[@brandonburr4900]

Macintosh is great but their are many great products in the audio world that are just as good if not better. Macintosh has its own house sound like the rest of the brands like luxman, pass labs, Dan dagistino, etc. When you get into these price ranges nothing is "bad". It's just a matter of what your taste/flavour of gear and it's synergy with the system.

[@AudiophileTubes]

Great, ICONIC American audio company! Expensive yes, but well worth it! I've had my 'Mac' equipment for decades, with no issues whatsoever! And those dancing blue meters......!!!

[@mrhoffame]

I just want one of them!! Just one!!! Please!!!

[@grabir01]

Amazing.

[@Wade6242]

Beautiful

[@mikemartinez1557]

Great video...maybe one day I can get one of those nice amps..

[@XXXOOXXX-zy6pk]

My father has the ma9000 with b&w 803 d3 speakers and it sounds amazing!!! 😍

[@kevinl6231]

Good recipe. I have MA7900 and BW804D2.

[@mobilemcsmarty1466]

did I just hear at about 1:30 that the sheet metal "represents about 1/3 of the cost of the product" and then is "a very expensive material but also a very highly cosmetic material" ??

[@MadScientist267]

There's a reason you don't see these things just lying around... That's one of them

[@boscodooley8561]

Hey man. It is sheet metal sprinkled with a little voodoo. Dont think about it to much. That voodoo is 3k.

[@LarsonChristopher]

Strong material

[@realiot6135]

very happy to see people over 50 working there....

[@luischaves5128]

Qué bella fabricacion, es una joya,precioso es lo mejor

[@audioexperience]

phenomenal

[@yusdiy]

1:10 even the machine shop knocking is in tempo with background music. This is one in tuned company. Thumbs up.

[@alexanderwesner9980]

Love my 2009 mini system solid as a rock.

[@maxnix346]

Yeah, it is a shame those are no longer made.

[@APRIL2862]

I started my audio quest in the mid 1960s and have heard Mac amps over and over again with all sorts of other so-called high end equipment. I was also a musician in my early years, so my ears are very well tuned to good live sound of all kinds. Is live sound a warm sound like Mac amps produce, certainly not, but if that's what you prefer, good for you! I use to take my amp to Mac clinics once in awhile to be tested, and they would short it out so the fuse would blow. The best Mac had at the time was a their 275 tube amp., just about as heavy as a Buick motor and got hot enough to heat a room in the winter. Telling you exactly what my jewel in the dust is, would be useless here. I have 4 of these rare classic amps now that still will shut down anything to date. Once in a great while one will be found in grandads house when he passes away and the kids will put it on Ebay, where I have snatched 3 of mine up. You have to be an old timer like me to figure it out!

[@CyberdyneSystemsSkynet]

For someone who talks a lot you sure don't say very much.

[@2handsomeforlaw]

The sheetmetal accounts for 1/3 of the cost.. I believe that, but that statement really says alot about their markup and how cheap these products are to manufacture.

[@Not_Andrew_Huberman]

Fredrik Thorsen EXACTLY my thought.

[@Oneness100]

Well, the MSRP also reflects that since McIntosh Labs doesn't sell $500 power amps, their power amps are sold for many thousands of dollars instead of a few hundred.. But there are more expensive power amps that cost even more to mfg.

[@Doggeslife]

The cost is in the labor with most products....Unless you make it in China by poor souls earning slave-labor wages.

[@carlosoliveira-rc2xt]

You mean like the shirt you are wearing which has a 200% markup at the retail level. You need to run a business.

[@brandonburr4900]

You haven't tried lifting a macintosh amplifier that is over a hundred pounds have you? Also consider this is made in the USA and not China. Guarantee these folks are getting paid a better Living wage than if it was made in china.

[@salvadorrodenas3071]

Impressive!

[@sidneyfrederickson3941]

With the sale of Marantz (again!) and the subsequent departure of Ken Ishwara, McIntosh is the last of the old school, USA based, high fidelity makers. Fisher, Pilot, Grommes, Altec and the others have vanished or make pro audio only. I have my late father's 3 channel Fisher/Pilot set up from the late 50's with CD and more lp friendly TT added and If I had to replace it, McIntosh would be my only choice. Used McIntosh, properly serviced, is a helluva deal.

[@dippin1523]

its impressive that a good amount of discrete components and parts appear to be made in house. impressive.

[@kcleach9312]

wow! cool video!

[@rogerwillams2814]

i would have realy liked to see an old day mac factory to see how they made em its very interesting .

[@maxnix346]

Pretty much just like this since the sixties.

[@franknvett]

love love love mcintosh

[@WV591]

Been drooling over tosh since the early 70's. by late 70's and early 80's every club worth it's salt had a tosh in fat city Louisiana and new Orleans clubs and clubs in new york. minimum wage being under two dollars, i had to settle for a small radio shack amp.

[@pwnmeisterage]

They actually strive for "flat" frequency response across the whole audio spectrum! No "kicking up the bass", "punching up the mids", "brightening the highs" or any of that other "audiophile" stuff ... they simply engineer for "fidelity" of the sort which means "accurate and faithful reproduction of the original".

[@Qcrider]

its speaker job to do that, not amplifier job

[@pwnmeisterage]

Every component between input and output. If it adds noise or distortion or any kind of modification to the output then it's not true fidelity.

[@hubpaq]

Agent Sphincter not true, Try listen to différent amp a preamp with the same speaker , and you will see, i suppose your are not à audiophile. Better not to say anything

[@maxnix346]

Accuracy is everything at any output level.

[@kokokloa2282]

great great amplifier i could never have this for my lifetime.

[@phillipbartlett1819]

Back in the 90's I helped built a show car for their mobile line. Some of the most beautiful equipment I've ever touched. It was pushing Polk audio speakers and heart subs. Sounded so smooth. Hated to see it leave our shop.

[@malakisands8180]

I worked at a shop in Florida at that time. The show car had the iconic head unit, B&W speakers from an 801. The clarity from the McIntosh amps would still be great today.

[@phillipbartlett1819]

@@malakisands8180 before they had car gear I put home amps and Rane EQs with a Clarion dsp head unit in it. That got their attention lol. I think those amps had incredible range.

[@pbaker7160]

I wish I could afford one of their amps. Amazing!

[@adaboy4z]

Hey start saving it can be done. It might take a few years. Good luck!!

[@HePrime34]

Tell us about their iconic illuminated sign to put on or in your rack

[@badescuandi5584]

great job ,thanks

[@Jason-zh7wo]

Great to see thanks 👍😀

[@diksken]

I want that in my life .

[@Anth4044]

Knowing that this would be the finished product I can understand the price, One day I'm so hoping to own McIntosh!!👍👍👍

[@TheNeilo-Audiosound]

I Seriously wish I had the £££££ to Buy a full range of Mcintosh Components.Awesome Products 👏👏👏👏👍

[@СергейИванов-м5р2ю]

Один , из самых качественных и надежных усилителей !!!!! Моя мечта.....которая не осуществится........жаль....

[@Reuben007Ash]

McIntosh is absolutely for real music lovers. Best performance . Masterpiece. From lower price products to higher and most important thing : made in USA ! Not China :) I have the MA 5200 / MCD 350 and MR 87 on its way. Can’t wait to get this treasure..God bless the USA

[@cengeb]

Just the U.S.A.? G.o.d is that selfish and selective, other countries do much more, and are much bigger, g.o.d. only deals with the big guys, and quality countrys, I spoke with G.o.d the other day...so I know, he doesn't like McIntosh.....he uses Crown, and other pro brands, not living room jewlery

[@trangthach1234]

Where can I buy this product?

[@constantindurnea1030]

I cry.....when i look,i cry..

[@AnarchoHumanism]

Great sounds, great company, but need to update the interface!

[@Mangputt]

using an solid state topology, no tubes and especially Surface Mount Device.. Sounds great ofc

[@rogerwillams2814]

the mac 4100 receiver is one of my favs its old and dated but he s still boss lol mac a number 1 #

[@rickgarza265]

Certainly an impressive video and no doubt its quality in every way.....I am looking to upgrade in the next 2 years to the latest and greatest.....of course MCintosh is high price, just like a Range Rover, but when you drive one you feel lthere is nothing else out there that is more joyful......same goes with this company........now of course there is more than just sound, its also room acoustics that requires an investment to improve sound.

[@cengeb]

Porsche, Audi RS 7, are what ya buy for high end excellence, NOT Land Rover which is as goofy as a GM Escalade, which is even dumber, McIntosh was owned by ....Clarion at one time wasn't it? When they tried to get into car audio, it's on about it's 4th owner trying to survive

[@imosolar]

I've a chord Hugo 2 and shure KSE1500 system. Now I want a hifi and Mc integrated amp looks good and awaiting to listen to it before buying.

[@gilportugal]

Perfect Sound Amplifier.

[@engenhariamentealien5945]

McIntosh is a dream.

[@j9kj9k]

I wish I had a room worthy of putting one of these amps in

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

Good times.

[@artysanmobile]

This type of manufacture method should leave no questions about the cost of their products. I have been using the same McIntosh MC2125 stereo amplifier for 55 years continuously with zero sevice. I can’t think of any other electronic equipment I can say that for.

[@AmirhosseinJamalian]

Nice job!

[@ca77721]

From what I've read their pre amps can be used alone as an integrated amp.And I think they make the best looking amps.

[@maxnix346]

Many of the later ones (last forty years) have very good low power amps built in. They do not have the super large capacitors and output transformers so they are not for high volume levels.

[@nomon95]

is as a car factory,all in series, and robotics and high pressure water dor drilling. Good,good. The price, other thing. I watch the 275 valve amplifier and sounded good. PD: Good for the transformers coil machine.

[@vettemaniac2237]

I do love my MAC!!!!

[@KimWentworth-y8e]

Wow - I want one so bad. I listened to a very nice Marantz receiver than asked to hear the Mcintosh as I never heard one. The Mcintosh made the music in three dimensions. It made the Marantz sound like an AM radio. I said, well ,I am very sorry I listened to the Mcintosh. Now I have to get one. And it's true American make. No Chinese junk in it.

[@neverknowit11]

It was my dream to work for McIntosh to create a more digital amplifier.

[@kevinl6231]

I have a MA7900 in a stereo setup and a MC205 for home theatre in another room. They are second to none and are literally bulletproof. However, do not buy their prepros. Once little gremlins get in there, they are impossible to get out. I know; I’ve been thru 3 of them and wound up getting an Anthem to go with the 205. They don’t look good together so it’s lucky I have them in a cabinet. Too bad because the prepros were so sweet, but prone to failing. Repairing them is like beating a dead horse to death.

[@cpg8000]

What about integrated amplifiers?

[@Reuben007Ash]

Even Mr. Charlie Randall’s voice sounds like it came out from McIntosh factory.

[@ropeyarn]

He doesn't say it, but that last shot is the amplifiers in a burn-in room. The amplifiers are operated with loads for many hours at higher temperatures to test for any weak components or assembly errors.

[@TheAcenightcreeper]

What is the employee discount? And can Any employee marry me or be my friend....

[@bentleygt3716]

LOL :0)))))))

[@Academath01]

The 'toaster', the McIntosh 752, is working perfectly 35years after I got it.

[@Sams911]

are the capacitors and transistors made in the US or China?

[@davedavenport8176]

Wonderful product and maybe one day I will own a Macintosh. But for me being a tool and die making and having worked and many manufacturing facilities it is very frustrating and just out right pisses me of when I see a person dragging a file backwards on material. But as for the rest of this video Macintosh hands down is a phenomenal product

[@kevinvoeks7422]

Mcintosh and B&W marriage made in Heaven

[@generalkickass6385]

They been making damn good equipment for decades just expensive as hell but worth it

[@noneofyodamnbidness6373]

Don't really care what others think...McIntosh is the BEST!!! I love my MC207 and MX121! Its the way music is suppose to be heard!

[@saltysoysauce954]

Tubes never are

[@MichelLinschoten]

Sure it is because you were dumb enough to spend 8k an up...You're listening to TUBES , as much as i love TUBES and their sound it's NOT the best sound you can get compared to transistors. You keep on being happy, because in the end that's what it's about. But claiming it's the best!? Very bold and very inaccurate

[@Enemji]

Now that transformer is what I would call a Black Box!

[@codydowling1120]

I wonder if they also make their bare boards- anybody know? He mentioned vertically integrated but started with PCBs going into solder paste application. That process is really fascinating. It seems that would have been covered. The environmental concerns and their risk abatement can be cost prohibitive, but if you can afford to make your own sheet metal it seems you could do that as well, right?

[@huskypup3489]

McIntosh equipment may be expensive, but they sell classic components that will retain their value better than any other brand I can think of.

[@brandonburr4900]

This is something that can't be said enough when considering a macintosh piece. It may be expensive but you will not be loosing value on it. I'm not a fan boy but you have to admire the resale value in their gear. Some have even increased in value. Can't name many brands that can say that!

[@vicg5323]

I can understand the positive and negative reviews. McIntosh is very expensive, but for a good reason, it is of high quality build and made in the U.S.A, which is highly regarded outside of the USA. For the negative, McIntosh has two category, "expensive and cheap" and "very expensive and very good". Either way it is overpriced, but that helps in maintaining it's resale value. I have a Yamaha AS2100 and it is fabulous, but it is Chinese, so I wonder how long it will last? three years so far. A Separate Pre and amp from McIntosh would cost me at least twice: Pre C50 cost 6K euro and Amp MC302 cost 5.5k euro. Would I buy it? Hell Yes! I have heard it and it sounds no better than my Yamaha, but it is a beauty made to last, and can be serviced forever, and it is more powerful. Now as to the cheap McIntosh, like their receivers, I would steer clear of, get a Yamaha AS1100, 2100 or AS300 with circlotron topology instead. Your ears and pocket book will thank you. Again McIntosh Hi End is worth every nickel, but there low end and still expensive gear is not.

[@snapfinger1]

The way things ought to be.

[@Demoni696]

I am not sure a company should be so proud of the fact that 1/3 the cost of your product is the box it lives in. Amazing amps but too much spent on making them look expensive.

[@smith97320]

When they weigh upwards of 150 lbs the case needs to be strong.

[@brandonburr4900]

These are not cheap chassis like so many other companies use. They are built like a battleship (and weight as much) and last a lifetime. These are pieces that will outlast their owner and keep (or in some cases increase) their value.

[@StudioMarban]

Why does the Anechoic chamber at @4:25 have so many early reflections and sound so bad??

[@visheshgupta9100]

Soory for the noob question, but is Mcintosh the best Power amplifier there is in the market, what are the other closest competition, or other brands that might be superior to this?