Introduction (JEJ)

If you mentioned the name McIntosh to someone in their 30's, they probably would think of Apple Computers. Of course, that is spelled "Macintosh".

Mention it to someone of my vintage (in my 60's), and we also think of a company who makes some of the finest audio equipment in the world.

It was mostly tubes back in the old days (when I was a teenager ogling the McIntosh brochures), and we all drooled at the thought of owning those incredible products.

Into the 21st century, McIntosh still makes some of the best stuff out there. A few tubes, but now mostly solid state, because they are into power amps that deliver 2,000 watts RMS (way back when, 75 watts for an amplifier was considered a lot).

Piero Gabucci recently was invited to tour the factory, and below, is his report.

I think it was a cold day across the country in the late fall of 2006, and I was probably warming my backside next to the fire while Piero was doing the work here, but I would have loved to have seen this facility.

 

At 2 Chambers Street, Binghamton, New York, this is McIntosh's newest addition, which has been designed to resemble a McIntosh faceplate.

This book by Ken Kessler is a must-have for those who want to know the history of this famous company.

Charlie Randall, President of McIntosh, gave the introduction to the tour in their auditorium. Over in the left corner is one of their new 2,000 watt power amplifiers. It consists of three chassis.

The faceplates of McIntosh products are made of thick glass. Definitely one of the most famous "looks" in the audio industry.

The circuit boards are assembled by one of these machines. The belts contain the components, such as resistors, which are fed inside where they are put onto the boards.

Here is the other side of a board assembler, where the parts are put in.

Each board is tested several times for any flaws.

The faceplates are being cut from glass sheets on this machine.

After they are cut and cleaned . . .

 . . . the faceplates are silk screened with the McIntosh logo.

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