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McIntosh Announces Two Wireless Speakers

The New RS150 and RS250 Feature Easy Streaming Options for Modern Listening

Binghamton, NY – December 10, 2021 – McIntosh is proud to introduce its iconic sonic quality in the new RS150 Wireless Loudspeaker and RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System. The RS150 is a user-friendly and compact wireless speaker delivering a larger-than-life home audio sound performance. The RS250 is McIntosh’s most advanced and powerful home audio wireless speaker system to date.

Both the mono RS150 and stereo RS250 are stand-alone, complete wireless speaker solutions. The new models do not require a dedicated control app. Rather, each feature a variety of built-in streaming “cast-to” technologies including Spotify® Connect, TIDAL® Connect, Apple® AirPlay® 2, Bluetooth®, Chromecast, and Roon Ready – allowing users to easily stream from their smart devices.

The RS150 Wireless Loudspeaker

 Serves as an entry-level experience of McIntosh’s legendary sound and performance standards

 Built in a moderate size that can fit in almost any home listening setting

Updated version of the successful RS100, replacing the predeceasing unit with double the power output (from 60 Watts total power to 120 Watts total power)

 Directly connects to popular streaming apps that use compatible casting technologies

 Woofer enlarged from a 4″ to 5-1/4″ diameter driver, 90 Watts of power and a larger, reengineered encloser resulting in higher output with lower distortion and deeper bass extension

Easily removable speaker grille if user prefers to expose the woofer and tweeter

Bass control has also been added to fine-tune the low-end performance based on unique room characteristics and listening preferences

 The design resembles the traditional McIntosh aesthetic, with a glass front panel on the lower section of the speaker

The RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System

 Includes virtually everything needed to enjoy music streaming from any device

 Features turntable connectivity via the dedicated phono input

 Ability to connect to television via an audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) input for better audio performance when watching favorite shows, movies, or sports, the system further includes that connects to ARC compatible TV’s

 Offers a sizeable 650 Watts of total power that is delivered to two 4″ x 6″ woofers, four 2″ midranges, and two ¾” tweeters

 The midranges and tweeters are front firing, while the woofers are down firing with the sound emanating from under the main chassis just above the base plate

 The woofer enclosure has been reengineered to reduce distortion with improved bass control to fine tune the low-end performance

 To enhance low frequencies even more, it can be connected to an external powered subwoofer

 To enjoy non-streaming music, the RS250 has an optical input to connect digital sources and a 3.5mm AUX input for connecting other music sources, also featuring a ¼” headphone jack on the front panel permits personal listening

 The RS250 is versatile enough to serve as the hub of a modern home audio and entertainment system

Shared Features of the RS150 and RS250

 Both can conveniently be controlled directly from favorite streaming apps that use compatible casting technologies.

 Compatible with TIDAL HiFi’s Hi-Res playback of 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution digital music files

 With their built-in high-resolution streaming capabilities, both are Roon Ready endpoint devices

*Roon Ready network devices have Roon’s streaming technology built in, and are certified by Roon Labs to provide the highest level of quality and performance in network streaming.

 Use Bluetooth 5.0 with support for both the high bitrate Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard as well as Qualcomm® aptX™ HD for hi res audio playback, and Qualcomm aptX Low Latency for improved synching between audio and video

 A new illuminated digital output meter uses the same trusted circuits found in McIntosh’s analog meters to collect and process the audio signals; it then digitizes the results and outputs them into a pulsating, gradated bar that shares the curved shape of their familiar analog meters

 Include a wired ethernet port while also supporting Wi-Fi protocols a, b, g, n, and ac.

 Units are Google Assistant compatible for voice control

*Google Assistant voice control requires use of a third-party Google Assistant device with voice recognition (sold separately). The RS150 and RS250 do not have voice recognition capabilities. The RS150, RS250, and Google Assistant device must be on the same network.

Pricing and Availability
Orders for the RS150 and RS250 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh dealers. Shipping to the United States and Canada is expected to begin in December 2021 for RS150, and January 2022 for RS250. Shipping to the rest of the world will follow shortly thereafter for each product.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded):

RS150: $1,200 USD
RS250: $3,000 USD

Categories
AV News

McIntosh MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Mk II

McIntosh Reimagines Iconic Amplifier used at Woodstock in Updated MC3500

The MC3500 Mk II is Inspired by the Amplifier that Inspired a Generation of Musicians & Music Fans Alike

Binghamton, NY – November 4, 2021 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 70 years, is proud to announce the MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Mk II. Originally used to power the sound system for Woodstock* ’69 amongst other formative music events, the iconic monoblock amp was recreated by McIntosh’s expert team of engineers and designers to include modern upgrades that celebrate the brand’s rich history of powering pivotal moments in music, while showcasing its commitment to technological innovations and acoustic advancements. The reimagined version can be used with a variety of preamplifiers, turntables, CD players, media streamers, speakers, etc. to form a complete home audio system.

The MC3500 Mk II boasts 350 Watts of power and is upgraded with modern components that deliver an audio performance worthy of its predecessor. As in the original, the MC3500 Mk II uses McIntosh’s Unity Coupled Circuit™ output transformer, allowing the full 350 Watts to be safely delivered to virtually any speaker. The MC3500 Mk II has a fully balanced driver section that utilizes three 12AX7A and one 12AT7 vacuum tube, while the output is powered by eight EL509S high-power output vacuum tubes specifically chosen due to the similarity to the 6LQ6 “sweep tubes” found in the original MC3500. All the vacuum tubes are located behind the power and output transformers and are covered by a 12-gauge stainless steel wire cage.

“At the 50th anniversary of Woodstock in 2019, there was a lot of buzz resurfacing about the McIntosh sound system,” said McIntosh President, Charlie Randall. “This enthusiasm was infectious and inspired me to get our engineering team together to redesign the amp that has obviously resonated with music fans as being a historically significant piece of audio gear. After over two years, we are really proud of the result. The MC3500 Mk II takes its inspiration from the original 1968-71 MC3500 and incorporates all the knowledge we have gained surrounding vacuum tube amplifier design since the 1960’s.”

MC3500 VACUUM TUBE AMPLIFIER MK II FEATURES INCLUDE:

 McIntosh’s Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor™ (SGS) technology that prevents premature vacuum tube failure

 Sentry Monitor™ technology to actively observe the output current to ensure operation within safe limits

 Balanced and unbalanced input(s) to connect with home audio system and multi-amp configurations

 McIntosh’s patented, gold-plated Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts that easily but securely attach the speaker cables to prevent them from coming loose

The MC3500 Mk II is both modern and retro in its design. As an homage to the original, the Mk II includes U-shaped siderails, a unique feature that provided strength and durability when the original amps were used on the road. The Mk II also has replicated the black rubber bumpers found in the original amps that allowed them to be temporarily set upright for shows and were big enough to prevent the model from being damaged during setup at concerts. The front panel is machined aluminum with a bead blast finish and gold anodizing that emulates the original MC3500. Just as in the original MC3500, the Mk II version includes an output meter, though this version is larger and centered on the front panel rather than offset to the left side as in the previous version. The meter uses a variation of McIntosh’s DualView™ Power Output Meter design, with the top scale showing the power output in both Watts and decibels, while the bottom scale shows the amplifier warmup time.

*Woodstock is a registered trademark of Woodstock Ventures LC.

Pricing and Availability
Orders for the MC3500 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh Dealers with shipping expected to begin in December 2021 to the United States and Canada, and to the rest of the world shortly thereafter. Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded): $15,000 USD.