The model runs and new product introduction was slow to come, which is to be expected from a small audio manufacturer like McIntosh. Often when new product was introduced it ran concurrently with the existing model, rather than replacing it.
Being entirely built in the United States in small numbers, meant that they were expensive.
Using the highest quality parts obtainable, meant they were expensive.
Being extensively tested and listened too before they were packaged meant they were expensive.
Having a small engineering team, and a mission statement to build conservative over built product that would last decades without issue meant they were expensive.
Did I mention, that McIntosh was expensive?
McIntosh had been building receivers in answer to the receivers from domestic competitors like HARMAN KARDON, Fisher, H.H. Scott and marantz. They were also feeling pressure from companies like Sansui, Kenwood and Pioneer who were building quality receivers and amplifiers at a fraction of the cost.
Needing to distance themselves from Old Tube technology, McIntosh was working hard on a fully solid state receiver. The MAC 1900 was the answer.
Introduced in 1971 at an astronomical cost of $995 the MAC 1900 was directly aimed at the Sansui 5000X.
The MAC 1900 posted a rated power of 55 watts per channel, the Sansui 5000X was rated at 60 watts per channel. Both were very well made and both were conservative in their power ratings. The Sansui came standard with a lovely wooden cabinet, though it could be ordered without one at a cost savings of $17.00. The cabinet was not standard on the 1900 but could be had for an additional $29.
Consumers choose Sansui receivers nearly nearly 10 to 1 over McIntosh. (Sansui at this time actually thought they were equal too or better than McIntosh. They also strove to be better sounding than McIntosh).
It gets even worse for McIntosh when you look at sales figures from Pioneer or Kenwood during the early 70’s as both of those companies outsold Sansui do to their more reasonable retail prices and larger manufacturing capabilities.
Still, the hardcore Mac fan who wanted the convenience of a receiver and nothing less than McIntosh will do, the 1900 was a stellar choice and the most modern offering McIntosh had at this time.
There was a caveat, the McIntosh receivers of this era never carried the full “McIntosh’ name or famous script. They were simply called “MAC” receivers. That upset several owners and kept many would be buyers away. Why wouldn’t McIntosh add its name to their receivers? Were they less somehow? Were they not really ‘pure McIntosh?” Silly in some circles, but those questions always surround the MAC line of receivers all the way back to the original MAC 1500, a beautiful all tube 30 watt offering built in small numbers that I wouldn't mind owning.
Think too, that in the early 1970’s, a 55 watt power amp was considered ‘powerful’. However, Pioneer soon introduced the stunningly beautiful SX1010 at a full 100 watts per channel across the full audio spectrum in 1974. Think too, that the Pioneer SX1010 was fully featured, beautifully built, amazing specs and sound came in at just under $700.00 retail and sold regularly for less than $500 at your Pioneer retailer. You had to really be a hardcore McIntosh fan and slightly touched in the head to buy a MAC 1900 over the Pioneer SX1010 in 1974.
McIntosh did eventually change some things. They tried to compete with Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood among others with their Stereotech offerings which was a disaster marketing wise. They also did pony up on the McIntosh script and name with the McIntosh 4100 receiver in 1980.
Today, expect to pay $1000 - 2700 for a clean well maintained example. Sound wise? Traditional Mac sound. Laid back, subdued and very easy to listen too. Nothing in the excitement department here.
What do you get with at MAC 1900? Exceptional build quality, conservative specs, highest quality parts and of course “snob appeal.” The MAC won’t push much more than maybe 62 watts per channel (truthfully do you ever need more?), it sounds very nice and should outlast it’s owners for generations to come. The problem with this summary is that Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood etc, were also building components that were made to last decades and decades as evidenced by how many are still in service today from all three of these companies.
I did end up with a MAC 1900 about 6 years ago, purchased here locally from Craigslist at a really reasonable price. The receiver had a nice cabinet was very clean and never serviced as I could tell. I used it at my office for a few days and thought about bringing it home. At the time I was listening to my Sansui 551, and though this had more power, the sound just didn’t real me in the way the Sansui 551 did. I sold the MAC 1900 it to a gentleman in Chicago.
However, for the true McIntosh fan, there really is no other choice. This was built durng McIntosh's prime, when cost was no object and quality was never spared. Those days are GONE at McIntosh, at least for now. Thank goodness these are still around to remind us of what McIntosh was really like back in the day. Very highly recommended! More to come!
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