Hi-Fi Hall of Fame
People Inductee
Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow
Introduction
Our next two inductees are Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow, the co-founders of the iconic Hi-Fi brand McIntosh. The company that they founded was one of the very first manufacturers of high fidelity amplifiers, and McIntosh went on to produce many brilliant products over the years.
Let’s take a look at the many accomplishments of these two Hi-Fi pioneers.
Founding of McIntosh Laboratory
Frank H. McIntosh, born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1906, possessed a deep love for music. However, his passion wasn’t for performing, but rather for the technology that brought music to life. He pursued this fascination with a degree in mathematics and radio engineering. McIntosh’s expertise led him to write columns on radio engineering for newspapers and eventually land an editing position at Popular Mechanics magazine.
The turning point came in the mid-1940s. Working as a consultant in Washington D.C., McIntosh was tasked with acquiring high-quality audio equipment for radio and television stations. Disappointed by existing amplifiers that lacked the power and clarity he demanded, McIntosh decided to embark on a revolutionary venture – creating his own amplifier.
In 1946, he brought on Gordon Gow as his partner. Together, they aimed to develop an amplifier that would redefine the audio industry. Their first creation, the McIntosh 50W-1, was not just an amplifier, but the very first Hi-Fi product to incorporate McIntosh’s innovative Unity Coupled Circuit.
This groundbreaking innovation led to the official formation of McIntosh Laboratory in 1949, with Frank McIntosh at the helm as president and Gordon Gow as vice president. The company’s success demanded a larger space, prompting their move to a new building in Binghamton, New York, in 1951. This location, at 2 Chambers Street, remains the company’s home to this day.
McIntosh went on to produce some superb Hi-Fi equipment, and in 2024, the company celebrated their 75th anniversary, a tremendous accomplishment for any business.
McIntosh Iconic Products
McIntosh has established a reputation for great Hi-Fi equipment. Here are some of the most iconic products produced during the McIntosh and Gow era, which spanned the years 1949 to 1989.
50W-1 Power Amplifier
First produced in 1949, the McIntosh 50W-1 power amplifier produced a solid 50 watts of power with a wide bandwidth of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and distortion of less than 1%, which was remarkable performance for that era.
MC30 Power Amplifier
The MC30 was sold from 1954 until 1962, and boasted 30 watts of power with just 0.5% distortion. It employed a novel type of transformer winding and “Class B” amplification.
MR55 AM FM Tuner
One of McIntosh’s first tuners, the MR55 was equipped for both AM and FM radio and included an “AM Sensitivity” control for optimum reception. It was first produced in 1957. Shown here is the model MR55A.
MC240 Stereo Power Amplifier
The MC240, available as early as 1960, was one of the first stereo power amplifiers, as stereophonic sound was just starting to become popular at the time. It was rated for 40 watts per channel. McIntosh amplifiers still use that distinctive “industrial” style today: the sloped control panel, the top deck bristling with transformers and tubes, and the side panel bearing the company logo.
MX110 Tuner Preamplifier
Combining an FM tuner and a preamplifier into a single chassis, the MX110 (1962-1969) employed vacuum tubes. The MX110 looks very modern with it’s glass face and black and silver styling.
C24 Preamplifier
In 1964 McIntosh released their first “solid state” preamplifier, the model C24. It had the classic McIntosh style and great performance.
MAC1500 Receiver
Making it’s debut in 1965, the MAC1500 was a modestly powered stereo receiver. It was a hybrid design, with a solid state preamplifier and vacuum tube power amplifier delivering 30 watts per channel.
MC2105 Power Amplifier
In 1967 McIntosh produced their first solid state power amplifier, the MC2105. It was designed to be displayed alongside the rest of the system, with the black glass faceplate and those beautiful, blue power levels meters.
MC250 Power Amplifier
The same year, McIntosh released a smaller power amplifier, the MC250, which employed the same mechanical design as the tube based power amps, with the amplifying components hidden beneath metal covers. It could be operated in stereo mode with output power at 50 watts per channel, or “bridged” into monaural mode at 100 watts.
MC3500 Power Amplifier
In 1968, McIntosh released a behemoth of a power amplifier, the MC3500. Powered by tubes, this single channel amplifier put out 350 watts and weighed in at over 120 pounds (55 kg)! The MC3500 was made famous as “the amplifier that powered Woodstock”, the music festival held in July 1969 in Woodstock, New York.
ML1C Loudspeaker
McIntosh launched their first range of loudspeakers in 1970. The speaker cabinets used a classic “mid century” style that looks modern even to this day. The entry level speaker in that range was the ML1C, which was a large four way speaker. Recently, McIntosh went “back to the future” when they released the ML1 Mk II, a brand new speaker design based on the original ML1C.
MC2300 Power Amplifier
In the early 1970s, engineers were learning how to get really high levels of power out of transistor power amps, triggering an “arms race” of power amplifiers with exceptionally high power output. In 1971, McIntosh joined the race with the MC2300, a beautiful beast that put out 300 watts per channel in stereo or 600 watts in mono mode. It was made famous as the amplifier that powered the Grateful Dead’s “Wall of Sound”.
MCD7000 Compact Disc (CD) player
By 1985, the digital audio era was in full swing and the Compact Disc (CD) was taking market share from the venerable Long Playing (LP) vinyl record. McIntosh released their first CD player that year, the MCD7000.
McIntosh Design Aesthetic
McIntosh Labs isn’t just a name in audio; it’s a symbol of luxury and enduring style. For over 75 years, their audio equipment has captivated listeners with not only its pristine sound quality but also its instantly recognizable design aesthetic. Let’s delve into the key design elements that make a McIntosh product unmistakable.
The Beauty of Black Glass
A hallmark of McIntosh design is the use of a black glass front panel. This sleek surface creates a sense of sophistication and allows a glimpse into the inner workings of the equipment, hinting at the technological prowess beneath. First introduced in the 1960s, it’s become a timeless signature of McIntosh equipment.
Illuminating Performance
McIntosh’s iconic blue power level meters are more than just functional; they’re a mesmerizing display of dynamic range. These meters, introduced in the mid-1970s, dance with the music, captivating the user and adding a touch of theatricality to the listening experience.
The Logo in a Classic Gothic Font
The McIntosh logo is written using a timeless “Gothic” style font and adds a touch of beauty and class.
A Touch of Class and Built to Last
Complementing the black glass and blue meters are chrome knobs and handles, adding a touch of understated luxury. The knobs themselves are a design element, crafted for smooth operation and a satisfying feel. McIntosh products exude a sense of solidity. The use of high-quality materials like polished stainless steel and heavy-gauge chassis conveys a commitment to quality and durability. These components are meant to be treasured for generations.
Enduring Design
McIntosh’s design language has remained remarkably consistent over the decades. While incorporating modern advancements, their core aesthetic has endured. This consistency allows a seamless integration of new McIntosh pieces into existing setups, creating a timeless audio environment.
Check out these side-by-side views of an original MC275 Power Amplifier from around 1961, next to a new MC275:
After the McIntosh and Gow Era
Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow managed McIntosh Labs together until 1977, when Frank McIntosh retired and left the business. Gordon Gow took over as president and CEO.
Gordon Gow ran the business until June of 1989, when he passed away. Maurice Painchaud, who was Vice President and Treasurer, took over as president of the company.
Without the two founders, the company began to struggle financially and the owners decided to sell the business. In 1990, McIntosh was sold to the Japanese electronics company Clarion. Wisely, the new owners kept the McIntosh business intact and it continued to operate from it’s headquarters in Binghampton, New York.
Since then, the company has been bought and sold a few times. Luckily for the Hi-Fi community, McIntosh has maintained the same culture as it did under the two founders, with a focus on excellent audio performance, classic aesthetics, and top quality craftsmanship and quality.
Today, McIntosh is still a vibrant member of the Hi-Fi community. In addition to traditional stereo equipment, the product range has been expanded to include “lifestyle” products such as home theatre and wireless speakers, automotive, and marine equipment.
In fact, the company is very proud of it’s long legacy, and continue to produce and service many of the legacy products, including a number of products that use vacuum tubes rather than solid state amplification.
If you’d like to see the current McIntosh product line, please visit the company website:
The McIntosh website also has an excellent story on the company’s heritage:
Induction to the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame
Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow co-founded one of the greatest Hi-Fi brands when they started McIntosh Labs. Back then, in the late 1940s and early 1950s, there were just a handful of companies in this space: names like Marantz, Fisher, Bozak, and H.H. Scott were some of the others. Most of those founding companies are long gone, but between them, they created a new way of listening to music in the home with this new hobby called “Hi-Fi”.
Seventy five years later, there aren’t many of those early Hi-Fi companies that have survived. McIntosh has not only survived, they have prospered despite the many changes that have occurred in audio technology. McIntosh products still offer superb performance and quality. Their unique design aesthetic continues to distinguish “Mac” products from all the others. Vintage McIntosh equipment is still coveted by Hi-Fi enthusiasts, and their new products have a small but enthusiastic audience.
Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow founded a great and enduring company when they started McIntosh, and for this they are inducted into the Hi-Fi Hall of Fame.
