McIntosh: Where did the vintage style of amplifiers and VU meters come from?

McIntosh: where does the vintage style of amplifiers and VU meters come from?

What is vintage style? McIntosh seems to have long since figured it out. It is something that goes beyond mere aesthetics, nostalgia, thinking that the past is always better than the present.
It is not. By this specific term, we refer to a whole range of feelings that are related to the experience obtainable from a product. When it comes to audio and high fidelity, here it is easy to be able to list possible examples. It may be a used loudspeaker, a long used turntable, a preamplifier or a tube amplifier.

In the case of products McIntosh, style plays a primary part. Even in the most recent models of the New York-based company, the aesthetic imprint, the basic idea, is clear. And in this article we will try precisely to explain where this idea comes from, and especially where it will take the brand in the near future.

^{Cassette tapes, a symbol of vintage music}

The vintage of McIntosh as a key to modern audio

Let us compare two products of the American brand: the McIntosh MA 8900 integrated amplifier, a modern concept, and the MA 5100 model. Released in 1966, and marketed until 1972, this was one of the first integrated amplifiers offered by the U.S. company, after the pioneering MA 230.

At first glance, no more than 50 years seem to have passed between the release of the two devices. The main colors are still the same, black and silver, the logo is present in the center, and the analog knobs are large. And on the other hand, why change? The aesthetics of these products immediately hints at an idea of elegance, precision, high quality. There is no need to chase fashions, ride the latest trends, if one's founding values manage to remain relevant at all times.
One could argue that in such devices, aesthetics is not that important. What matters is how they sound. And this is also true, but one should never underestimate the visual impact that amplifiers and speakers can bring to the interior of a room.

And so, instead of coming up with a design that would become stale after a few years, McIntosh chooses to stay true to its original design. Whether this is then considered vintage or not, we don't think it matters much...

^{the amplifier McIntosh MA 5100}

How the iconic design of amplifiers and speakers was arrived at

Each McIntosh product is the result of a long development. Before seeing the light of day, preamplifiers and turntables can be the focus of a process lasting more than two years. From first concept to final model, therefore, several months can pass. Each circuit board is populated by specialized personnel, and not by other outside companies.

The construction processes still follow the guidelines conceived years ago, for a tradition that has now been renewed for more than 50 years.
Among the most iconic elements, the glass front panels cannot but stand out. Their introduction can be traced back to the 1960s. The basic idea was to offer for each product a unique, handmade piece that could combine a pleasing appearance with high strength.

Unlike many other competitors, McIntosh chose early on to create panels with glass facings. The control labels, as well as the company's logo, were placed just below the transparent sheet, on the bottom layer. In this way, wear and tear on these elements was completely eliminated. This ensured an impeccable appearance even years later.

^{The modern McIntosh MC901, mono hybrid bi-amp power amp}

Blue VU meters, a classic that does not wane

Going in search of the characteristic elements of the vintage brand McIntosh, one of the prominent elements is definitely the VU meters. An element that, on the surface, would have little to say on the level of aesthetics, and that instead the American company has been able to evolve, to the point of making it a real distinguishing feature.
Their introduction is to be dated around 1970, a time of great changes in both society and music. Since then, the company has never changed the design of these particular elements, which are also offered in more recent models, such as the MA 352 integrated valve amplifier.

In this 2017 video from The Vinyl Factory, some of the steps leading to the assembly of the products are shown McIntosh. And the blue VU meters are a constant presence:

Even more interesting is reading some of the comments on the video. One, in particular, testifies to how a small detail like the VU meter, proudly vintage and unchanged for over 40 years, still stands as a symbol:

"When you see one of those big blue VU meters on the front of an amplifier you know for a fact that you are looking at a marvel."

And playing precisely on this dimension suspended in time, between past and present, that the company has also come up with its very own idea of modern vintage, such as the app McIntosh Music Stream Tablet.
Designed primarily as a complement to the company's digital players, it offers owners of iOS and Android devices the possibility of having a music player with a built-in blue VU meter on their smartphone. In other words, in small piece of music history in the palm of one's hand.

What is your opinion? Are you also in love with the design of the products McIntosh?