{"product_id":"mcintosh-mc3500-mkii-ac","title":"McIntosh MC3500 MKII AC","description":"\u003cspan\u003e\n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e350 Watt Monoblock\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInspired by the original 1968-71 MC3500 – the amplifier that inspired a generation\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePowered by eight EL509S high-performance vacuum tubes\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePower Guard Screen Grid Sensor™, Sentry Monitor, Solid Cinch speaker binding posts\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMachined aluminum front panel with a bead-blasted finish and gold anodizing\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eInspired by the Amplifier That Moved a Generation\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere's no denying the historic significance of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Nothing like it had ever happened before, and many would argue nothing like it has happened since. With an unexpected attendance of over 400,000 people, many things could have gone wrong – and some did. But one aspect that nearly all agreed upon was how great all the musicians sounded. This sound quality is thanks in part to the McIntosh MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifiers that exclusively powered the sound system used at Woodstock. The MC3500 would go on to power many other influential musical events.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eAt a 50th-anniversary celebration of Woodstock in 2019, McIntosh President Charlie Randall, realizing the historical significance of the MC3500, dreamt of bringing it back into production. This was no easy task considering it was conceived over 50 years ago. But after more than two years of development, this dream has come true with McIntosh proudly announcing the MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Mk II.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe MC3500 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Mk II has been updated to modern standards and with modern components to deliver audio performance worthy of its predecessor and the shared model number's legacy – all while adhering to the original design as much as possible. Like the original MC3500, the MC3500 Mk II uses McIntosh's Unity Coupled Circuit output transformer, allowing its full 350 Watts to be safely delivered to virtually any speaker regardless if it has 2, 4 or 8 Ohm impedance.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe MC3500 Mk II is powered by eight EL509S high-performance vacuum tubes. The EL509S tube was chosen because it has many similar qualities and characteristics to the 6LQ6 \"sweep tubes\" used in the original MC3500. Like the 6LQ6, the EL509S is very rugged thanks to its robust cathode and associated heater element, which creates a high peak plate current capability of over 1 Ampere.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eLike the original MC3500, the MC3500 Mk II also features a fully balanced driver section that utilizes three 12AX7A and one 12AT7 vacuum tube. The first 12AX7A is the differential input amplifier; the second is the buffer\/driver for the voltage amplifier; the third is the voltage amplifier. The 12AT7 is the buffer\/driver for the EL509S output tubes. All the tubes are located behind the power and output transformers and are covered by a 12-gauge stainless steel wire cage with a black powder coated finish. The cage is shaped to allow for easy access to the patented gold-plated Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts, even with the cage installed.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eMcIntosh's exclusive Power Guard Screen Grid Sensor™ (SGS) technology is included in the MC3500 Mk II. Power Guard SGS is specifically designed for McIntosh vacuum tube amplifiers and is similar to the patented Power Guard® technology found in McIntosh's solid-state amplifiers. Power Guard SGS helps prevent premature vacuum tube failure by monitoring the screen grid current in the output vacuum tubes. If the current becomes too high, a circuit in Power Guard SGS will activate, dynamically attenuating the input signal in real time to keep the tubes operating at safe levels. The MC3500 MK II's fully balanced driver section is ideal for use with Power Guard SGS. Sentry Monitor™, which monitors the output current and shuts the amplifier down if it exceeds safe limits, is also included.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eBoth a balanced and unbalanced input are included for connecting to your preamplifier and the rest of your home audio system. A balanced and unbalanced output for multi-amping configurations such as bi-amping or tri-amping are also present.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eLike the original MC3500, the Mk II version features an output meter, but it is larger and centered on the front panel instead of being offset to the left. This makes it easier to read and allows it to look symmetrical in a typical two-channel stereo system layout. The McIntosh MC3500 Mk II uses a dual view VU meter, with the top scale showing the output in Watts\/Decibels, while the bottom scale shows its warm-up time. Upon power-up, the meter will slowly rise; once it hits 100%, it will drop back down to zero and the amplifier is ready to play music.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe MC3500 Mk II has handles like the original, but they are more ergonomically designed to be kinder to your hands when moving this 121-pound (55 kg) heavyweight. The base of the chassis is polished stainless steel. The front panel is machined aluminum with a bead-blasted finish and gold anodizing to emulate the look and feel of the original MC3500. A clear glass insert protects the VU meter; a black glass insert on the bottom houses the knobs and illuminated lettering.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eAs an homage to the design of the original MC3500, the Mk II features two U-shaped side rails that wrap around each side on the top, back and bottom. The original MC3500 was often used in out-of-house setups, and these side rails provided both the necessary durability and made it robust. It's a very unique design element that McIntosh wanted to replicate on the MC3500 Mk II. There were also four black rubber bumpers on the back of the rails that allowed the amplifier to temporarily sit upright during setup for performances; the bumpers were large enough to prevent parts protruding from the back of the amplifier from hitting and being damaged on the ground. These bumpers have also been replicated on the MC3500 Mk II.\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003eThe MC3500 Mk II is both a modern and retro amplifier. You can pair it with a variety of preamplifiers, turntables, CD players, media streamers, speakers and other specialty products to form a complete home audio system.\n\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McIntosh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52457428746506,"sku":"143971","price":21990.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0717\/5340\/0586\/files\/img143971_67032.jpg?v=1769458884","url":"https:\/\/hifi.shop\/en\/products\/mcintosh-mc3500-mkii-ac","provider":"Hifi \u0026 Friends GmbH","version":"1.0","type":"link"}