McIntosh Labs MC601 Monoblock Amplifier Preview

McIntosh Laboratory, a global manufacturer of home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for over 60 years, announced the debut of a new amplifier that brings legendary McIntosh performance capabilities and style together with a host of leading-edge features and extended functionality for today's digital age. The new MC601 Monoblock Amplifier, which replaces McIntosh's hugely popular MC501 amplifier, will ship in January of 2011. It joins the company's new Models MC302 and MC452 in the McIntosh amplifier lineup, all with new engineering advances and extended functionality.

Distinguished by its rock-solid, new larger sized chassis of mirror polished stainless steel, the MC601 features the premium cosmetic design that has always distinguished McIntosh components, including a backlit glass faceplate. The newly designed 8-inch wide True Wattmeter, featuring elegant "McIntosh Blue" LED lighting, is a special larger size last used by McIntosh on its acclaimed MC1000 amplifier. The MC601's custom machined and anodized aluminum trim handles complete the iconic McIntosh look and styling. Among its many leading edge feature capabilities is Power Guard, a McIntosh circuit innovation that maximizes sound quality at high power levels. Additionally, the unit's advanced "Sentry Monitor" feature provides continuous short circuit protection of the amplifier and connected loudspeakers.

In addition to its higher power rating of 600 watts, the MC601 features Thermal Track output transistors that allow for cooler, more efficient operation. Other new features that add to the MC601's performance capabilities and make it ideally suited for use in today's digital universe are specially designed McIntosh speaker binding posts, Quad Balanced circuit design for highest audio performance, and input and output jacks that allow bi or tri-amping with multiple MC601s. Notably, the MC601's extraordinary, distortion-canceling, quad-differential design consists of two complete amplifier circuits, whose outputs are combined in the unique McIntosh-crafted autoformers. Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.005% maximum from 250 milliwatts to rated 600 watt mono power output. MC601 delivers absolute transparency and musical accuracy into speaker loads of 2, 4, or 8-Ohms.

"To create the MC601 amplifier, McIntosh engineers and designers scrutinized every aspect of what has made us the world's most coveted audio manufacturer for the last 60 years – both in terms of great looks and legendary sound. The result is an amplifier of unique elegance, craftsmanship and style that delivers classic McIntosh performance, with all the power and ‘audio heft' to earn it a rightful place in the McIntosh pantheon, while providing today's most discerning consumers with all the features and functionality to ensure it will deliver the very best in music reproduction excellence for many years to come."

- McIntosh President Charlie Randall

About McIntosh Laboratory
Since 1949, McIntosh Laboratory's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and quality continues to define the state-of-the-art in high fidelity and provide discriminating consumers around the world an elevated home entertainment experience. McIntosh high-performance audio and video products are handcrafted at the company's Binghamton, New York headquarters. Its products reflect unmatched levels of performance, superlative engineering and hand craftsmanship. Built to last for decades, McIntosh components demand nothing less than an equal level of commitment to customer support and service. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is a D&M Holdings company. For more information visit www.mcintoshlabs.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.