McIntosh might well be celebrating its 75th birthday this year, but it's showing no signs of doing so gracefully as it reveals what's claimed to be one of its most potent amplifiers so far.

The new MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier features a tri-chassis construction and delivers 2000 watts of power to give what McIntosh teases will be "a new industry standard for power and amplification".

Treading the path forged by 2005's MC2KW, this powerful new next-gen monoblock promises significant sonic upgrades, including substantially larger filter capacitors for better performance of low-end frequencies and improved dynamic headroom, while four bespoke McIntosh heatsinks on each power module ensure efficient heat dissipation for more consistent audio quality.

The MC2.1KW three-box setup sees audio circuitry split between two 1000W power modules, and a third (sporting the signature McIntosh blue meter) housing McIntosh's famed bi-filar wound Autoformer alongside single-ended RCA and balanced XLR inputs and multiple speaker outputs. The latter are marked 2 ohms, 4 ohms and 8 ohms, enabling you to plug your speakers into the one closest to the given nominal impedance values of the speakers.

Each output platform also has three sets of identical binding posts to facilitate bi- or tri-wiring the loudspeaker. Meanwhile, the dual sets of balanced and unbalanced inputs on the MC2.1KW provide added system flexibility, conveniently allowing listeners to connect to more than one preamplifier and easily switch between vacuum tube and solid-state signals.

Further upgrades include enhanced circuit designs with modern components, shorter signal paths, and updated electrical wiring. McIntosh also lists bayonet IP68-rated interconnect cables that connect the three modules and direct LED front panel lighting. Of course, exclusive McIntosh technologies and features are added, including Power Guard, Sentry Monitor, Quad Balanced Design and Power Control.

As the MC2.1KW is commemorating McIntosh's 75 years in the business, the first 75 units sold in 2024 to each country in which the brand is distributed will include special anniversary badging with "75 Years" engraved in the handles and a special logo stamped on the top. Don't worry if you prefer a matching set, as McIntosh also offers the MC1.25KW Amplifier, C12000 Preamplifier, MA12000 Integrated Amplifier, and MCD12000 SACD/CD Player in 75th Anniversary livery.

McIntosh president Charlie Randall says this is the "perfect product to commemorate McIntosh's 75th anniversary" and told StereoNET:

The MC2.1KW is the embodiment of our passion, and it invites audio enthusiasts to embark on an extraordinary journey through sound with one of our most powerful amplifiers yet.

The MC2.1KW will be available from January 2024 at authorised dealers for a retail price of US$50,000 | €64,990.

Visit McIntosh for more information