On June 12 and 13, 2026, we celebrated the arrival of McIntosh at Fidelity with our own event. For two days, various McIntosh systems were set up in our listening rooms, complemented by five moderated listening sessions with our large reference chain and a live stream on YouTube.
We deliberately wanted to present McIntosh not just with a single system. Across our studios, visitors could experience very different combinations – from streaming amplifiers and characteristic McIntosh amplifiers to large pre/power amplifier combinations in the high-end room.
McIntosh in our listening rooms
In Studio 1, the McIntosh MA252 played with the Piega Coax 411. The music came from the Eversolo DMP-A8.
For Studio 2, we had prepared two systems. The Canton Reference 5 was driven by the McIntosh MSA5500 Streaming Amplifier. Additionally, the McIntosh MT5 turntable was ready for play.
On the opposite side, the McIntosh MA352 played together with the DS200 Streaming DAC on the Sonus faber Maxima Amator.
In Studio 5, the McIntosh MA8950 was used, fed by a HiFi Rose RS130. Two different speaker concepts were available here: a Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 and the ELAC Concentro 503.
Thus, McIntosh could be experienced this weekend with very different speakers and sources, instead of getting to know the brand's character only through a single combination.
The large McIntosh system with the Sonus faber Amati G5
The centerpiece of the weekend was in our high-end room.
We had not decided alone beforehand which speakers should play there. Through our YouTube channel, our viewers could vote on which brand they would like to hear with the large McIntosh system. The result was Sonus faber.
For the event, the distributor therefore provided us with the Sonus faber Amati G5 from the Homage Series.
Electronically, we went all out. The two-part McIntosh C12000 served as a preamplifier, and the speakers were driven by two McIntosh MC611 mono power amplifiers.
The McIntosh MCD12000 was also part of the chain, but was used exclusively as a DAC during our demonstration. The digital music signal came from a Luxman Streamer.
The system was complemented by a Silent Angel Bonn NX network switch, cabling and power filters from Shunyata, and a rack from the Hyper Spike Series by Solidsteel.
Five moderated listening sessions over two days
The large system was the focus of our total of five moderated listening sessions.
On Friday, the demonstrations took place at 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00. On Saturday, two more sessions followed at 11:00 and 13:00.
It wasn't just about hearing different pieces of music on the system. Guests also gained insights into the technology and history of McIntosh, as well as background information on the components used and the Sonus faber Amati G5.
We were supported by Stefan and André from Audio Components, the German McIntosh distributor. Both were available throughout the weekend for individual questions about the brand and the devices.
The last listening session live on YouTube
We also broadcast the final listening session live on our YouTube channel on Saturday at 13:00.
This allowed everyone who couldn't come to Rellingen in person to follow the presentation, learn more about McIntosh, and be part of the event via chat.
It was particularly nice that the online viewers were also intensively involved with the music selection and the recordings presented.
McIntosh new at Fidelity
The weekend also marked the official start of our collaboration with McIntosh.
In the weeks leading up to the event, we had intensively studied the devices, tried out various combinations, and received training. The event was then the first opportunity to experience the brand in this breadth together with our visitors.
In addition to the specially set up McIntosh systems, our guests could of course also look around our other exhibition, listen to other systems, and talk to our team.
Thank you for a great McIntosh Weekend
Many thanks to everyone who was with us in Rellingen on Friday and Saturday or followed the last listening session live.
A special thanks goes to Audio Components for their support, the additional components and speakers, and to Stefan and André for accompanying the listening sessions and the many conversations with our guests.
For us, the McIntosh Weekend was not only a successful event, but also a great start for a new brand at Fidelity.
And as we said after the weekend: After the event is before the event.
We look forward to the next joint listening sessions here in Rellingen.
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