The new MC1502 and the C22 Mk V preamplifier, are McIntosh’s latest flagship amplifiers with vacuum tubes, and are a potent powerhouse for enthusiasts.
The C22 preamplifier we have seen before, among other things it was called the C70 when McIntosh launched the 70th anniversary set, but this, the fifth edition is an upgraded version with one 12AT7 and five 12AX7A tubes, LED lighting, two balanced and three unbalanced inputs, in addition to inputs for both MC and MM pickups.
The C22 Mk V has no digital converter built-in, as the C2700 has, but it is equipped with a headphone output, output for two power amplifiers, and bass and treble control.
The new MC1502 is also new, although it is very similar to the MC2152 from the 70th anniversary set, and in a way a double-decker version of the classic MC275, but here you get 2 x 150 w power against 2 x 75 w.
The large MC1502 uses eight KT88 tubes, four per channel, and four 12AX7A and 12AT7 tubes, and McIntosh claims that they have managed to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio from 105 to 122 dB, compared to two MC275 mono with 1 x 150 w per piece..
The amplifier has outputs for 2, 4 and 8-ohm speakers, and McIntosh auto-transformers on the outputs, which makes the amplifier more stable under load.
The Mcintosh MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier and C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Mk V, as they are called in the press release, are on sale in North America during August, the rest of the world a few weeks later.
Prices are stated at 11,000 USD for MC1502 and 6000 USD for C22 Mk V, that is without local tax (VAT).