Indeed, rub your eyes and take another look. You are correct: it is a McIntosh amplifier that has had a can of orange paint poured over it. This is a significant departure from the standard black glass front and black top of the typical MA8950. The orange amplifier is one of a kind and, to our knowledge, is not available for purchase.
McIntosh MA8950 X Virgil Abloh
McIntosh’s MA8950 was reimagined according to designer Virgil Abloh’s brief and unveiled during Paris Fashion Week. Virgil Abloh developed an artistic concept for the brand in early 2020 and is best known as the founder of the fashion label Off-White and the artistic director of menswear at Louis Vuitton. The McIntosh team brought his vision to life with an amplifier specially designed for the exhibition, honoring his legacy. According to the manufacturer, this collaboration reinforces the shared belief that sound and design are inextricably linked cultural forces and that music was central to Virgil’s creative process, shaping ideas, inspiring designs, and contributing to the enduring legacy seen today.
This reinterpretation of McIntosh’s iconic aesthetic is based on the existing MA8950 integrated amplifier and finished in a striking orange color, i.e., a color Abloh used to symbolize energy, creativity and disruption.
The standard MA8950 is now a few years old and offers 200 watts per channel, nine analog inputs: one balanced, six unbalanced, plus an MC (with adjustable load) and an MM phono input. In addition to a five-band tone control, the amplifier also features McIntosh’s DA2 digital audio module, which includes a quad-balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC.
Open to the public now through October 9th, the exhibition not only honors Abloh’s enduring influence but also highlights McIntosh’s role in shaping the future of sound, design, and creative expression. It’s more than just an amplifier; it’s a continuation of Virgil’s story: his love of music and his belief that the combination of design and sound can move culture forward.
