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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