McIntosh has unveiled the MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Mk II, a reworking of the original monoblock amp used to power the Woodstock ’69 sound system. The $15,000 power amp, available from December, has been recreated by McIntosh’s engineers to include modern upgrades while showcasing the company’s “commitment to technological innovations and acoustic advancements.”
The MC3500 Mk II includes 350 Watts of power and has been upgraded with modern components to mirror the performance of its predecessor. As with the original amp, McIntosh says that the new product uses the company’s own Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer, allowing 350 Watts to be safely delivered to “virtually” any speaker. A fully balanced driver section uses three 12AX7As vacuum tubes and one 12AT7, while the output is powered by eight EL509S high-power vacuum tubes chosen due to the similarity to the 6LQ6 “sweep tubes” found in the original MC3500. 
“At the 50th anniversary of Woodstock in 2019, there was a lot of buzz resurfacing about the McIntosh sound system,” said McIntosh President, Charlie Randall. “This enthusiasm was infectious and inspired me to get our engineering team together to redesign the amp that has obviously resonated with music fans as being a historically significant piece of audio gear. After over two years, we are really proud of the result. The MC3500 Mk II takes its inspiration from the original 1968-71 MC3500 and incorporates all the knowledge we have gained surrounding vacuum tube amplifier design since the 1960s.”
The Mk II includes U-shaped siderails, like the original amp, to provide strength and durability for when the former models went out on the road. The unit also has replicated black rubber bumpers so it can be temporarily set upright, as they were for shows to prevent damage at concerts. The front panel’s aluminum with bead blast finish and gold anodizing is designed to emulate the original, as is the DualView centred output meter (showing Watts, decibels and warmup time), which McIntosh says is larger than the left-side justified version on the former unit.
For more information, go to McIntosh here.
Martin, a seasoned journalist and AV expert, has written for several notable print magazines. He’s served in key roles at Lucasfilm’s THX Division, NEC’s digital cinema division, and has even consulted for DreamWorks. Despite his illustrious career, Martin remains rooted in his passion for cinema and acting, with notable appearances in several Spielberg films, Doctor Who, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He currently resides in San Francisco.
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