Roger Russell's McIntosh History Page

Welcome to
Roger Russell's
McIntosh History Page

In memory of Gordon Gow, who made McIntosh a success
and will always be remembered by those who knew him.

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No portion of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part
without written permission of the author.

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for McIntosh related sites and personal information.


McIntosh Laboratory Inc. is located in the southeast corner of the city of Binghamton, NY. This is the main plant (Plant 1). It is located at 2 Chambers Street. This is a short dead end street that connects with Conklin Avenue, which is NY route 7. The Susquehanna River is on the other side of route 7. Renovation of the front portion of the main plant was completed in early 2007. Combined with a globe that lights up at night, this updates the building with a modern appearance like those found in many industrial parks.



In Memory of Dave O’Brien and the McIntosh Clinics Dave O’Brien passed away on January 9, 2007. He was born on May 3, 1928 in Worthington, Ohio. He was the son of Margaret K. and Harry R. O’Brien. He is survived by his brother Donald and nieces and nephews. He will be remembered by many people who met him at the McIntosh clinics where he tested more than a million amplifiers all over the United States over a span of 30 years. A brief description about the clinics is at Dave O'Brien's McIntosh Amplifier Clinic Page Dave also wrote a 53-page book about his experiences. In all those years, he encountered some unusual situations, some very funny and some very touching. It’s all fascinating reading and there are lots of color pictures.
	The McIntosh Amplifier Clinics 1962-1991 In 1962 McIntosh Laboratory Inc. started what was to become one of the most successful and longest running marketing campaigns in the Consumer Electronics industry, The McIntosh Amplifier Clinic. McIntosh amplifiers were and are "Still the Best" but they had to find a way to prove it to the Consumer. They did this by testing amplifiers in stores; with Customers as witness they were able to show that McIntosh was the best. David H. O’Brien may be the face and name most synonymous with McIntosh outside of Gordon Gow. He tested more than a million amplifiers all over the United States and Canada for nearly 30 years. Now, you can read the story of "The McIntosh Amplifier Clinics" written by Dave O’Brien, available exclusively thru Audio Classics for $19.95.

McIntosh History Events that took place listed by year
Site Map		This site map is for McIntosh history pages.
McIntosh Laboratory Part 1		How McIntosh Laboratory started with Mr. Mcintosh's consulting service in Washington, D.C. and up to 1972. Design description of the C26 preamp.
McIntosh Laboratory Part 2		Continuing McIntosh Laboratory from 1973 to the present day.
Loudspeaker Division Part 1		How the loudspeaker division started with Roger Russell and up to 1975. New information on how to restore and upgrade the ML-1C. A 1971 loudspeaker seminar by Gordon Gow.
Loudspeaker Division Part 2		Continuing with loudspeakers from 1976 to the present day with many design and test descriptions. Includes Speaker Wire: A History.
McIntosh Equalizers		It started with the ML-1C and MQ101 equalizer. Later, it evolved to include room acoustics and then McIntosh acoustic test equipment plus further refinements. Lots of pictures and text. Presented in four parts.
The C26 Preamplifier		A detailed description of the C26 preamp that I designed and that eventually led to the creation of the MQ101 equalizer. Includes the C27 preamp and the MX112 tuner-preamp
McIntosh Direct Mail		JRB advertising began in 1964 and expanded to direct mail. It was closed down in 1992.
McIntosh Products History A detailed description of each unit, dates sold and original prices for all McIntosh products
Amplifiers Part 1		15W1 to MC2125 in numerical order.
Amplifiers Part 2		MC2150 to MC7300 in numerical order plus MK30 and industrial amplifiers.
Car Audio		MC 420 and later.
Drivers		Woofers, Mids and Tweeters.
Home Theater		MX118 and later.
Integrated-Amps		MA 230 and later.
Loudspeakers Part 1		HT-1 to XE10 listed alphabetically.
Loudspeakers Part 2		XL-1 to XRT26 listed alphabetically.
Preamplifiers		AE-2 and later.
Receivers		MAC 1500 to present.
Tuners		MR 55 and later in numerical order.
Tuner-Preamps		MX 110 and later.
All other Products		Includes CD players, performance indicators, equalizers, analyzers, control relays, cartridges, remote systems, video switchers, cabinets and accessories.
Equipment Reviews and Patents
Equipment Reviews		A list of reviews and related material about McIntosh found in magazines, books and journals. Contains name and date of publication as well as page number.
Patents		A list of McIntosh patents including date, number, inventor and patent name

"If you don't buy McIntosh, you will regret it, maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow but soon, and for the rest of your life!"

McIntosh In the Movies What are the names of the movies that you have seen with McIntosh equipment somewhere in the background? Suggestions are welcome. Here's the beginning of the list that may be correct. I haven't checked all of them out yet. 9 1/2 Weeks (1986) starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger. MC2155 closeup of one meter and countdown numbers. As Good As It Gets (1997) starring Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt Sounds and Silences (1964) Twilight Zone starring John McGiver. MX110 and MC60s What Lies Beneath (2000) Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer High Fidelity (2000) John Cusack and Stephen Frears The Grateful Dead movie Pillow Talk (1960) Doris Day and Rock Hudson. C-8 preamp. Can only be seen in the wide screen version. Stepford Wives (remake) Nicole Kidman. MC2000 can be seen. The Departed (2006) Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon and Leonard DeCaprio Executive Action (1973) Burt Lancaster and Robert Ryan. MX110 Akeelah and the Bee (2006) Keke palmer and Laurence Fishburne C24 and MC2505
About This Site
Return to my main page		More text and pictures about McIntosh will be added as my research continues. Any comments, corrections, or additions are welcome.
Email to rogerr4@earthlink.net		Created by Roger Russell All rights reserved