World’s best sounding compact stereo?
Say the name McIntosh and audiophiles smile a little smile.
That’s because the legendary, Binghamton, NY-based company has been turning out amazing-sounding, stately-looking audio products for six decades.
For tangible proof, find yourself a copy of my friend Ken Kessler’s loving historical on the subject.
McIntosh products aren’t cheap – but they’re worth every penny. Even in used condition, they’re still coveted by music listeners around the world.
That’s why when McIntosh releases a new product like the MXA60 every one in – and out of the industry takes note.
McIntosh Labs has formally announced the release the MXA60 – the company’s first standalone, plug and play, integrated audio system – to help celebrate their 60th anniversary,
Designed by the same clever guys who created the company’s high performance Reference System, this “ultimate-quality tabletop system” features a high-performance 75-watt-per-channel amplifier, state-of-the-art CD/SACD/MP3 player, vacuum tube preamplifier (you can see the tube in the little window in the system’s front panel), as well as an AM/FM/RBDS tuner and high performance, two-way bass reflex loudspeaker system.
Think of it as a way to get all the legendary McIntosh sound into a smaller package.
It comes standard with solid, all-metal casework, anodized aluminum accents, backlit glass faceplates with nifty peak reading watt meters.
The 75-watt-per-channel transistor-based amplifier features Sentry Monitor fuse-less short-circuit protection and Power Guard anti-clipping circuitry to ensure distortion-free performance and reliability.
The preamp’s advanced hybrid transistor/tube design utilizes a dual triode tube (12AT7) design for the purest music reproduction capabilities.
The MXA60’s two-way loudspeakers were fashioned in the tradition of the revered mini-monitors of old, providing an astounding level of high-quality audio from a surprisingly compact package. I’m guessing that the legendary LS3/5a’s are part of that reverend group. I’m currently testing a pair of Stirling LS3/5a’s and can attest that it’s a good idea to try to emulate a product that sounds so good.
To achieve their high level of performance, the new McIntosh speakers feature custom designed mid-woofers with a four-inch diameter – providing a magnet structure that is proportionally much larger than is typically used in speakers of comparable size.
In a way-too-brief listening test under less than perfect conditions, the MXA60’s sound was very, very impressive. I hope to hear the system set-up properly in a quiet room at some point. It was that good.
For the record, the system weighs-in at slightly less than eighty pounds. At least you know you’ll be getting a lot for your hard-earned money.
The MXA60 is scheduled for availability in October, 2009 with a suggested retail price of $7,500.
It is a McIntosh!