Unique Orange McIntosh x Virgil Abloh Amplifier Unveiled at Paris Fashion Week

McIntosh is making its mark at the Virgil Abloh: The Codes exhibit, presented by the Virgil Abloh Archive at Paris Fashion Week, with a striking orange version of its MA8950.

The Virgil Abloh Archive is a collection of over 20,000 objects that represent Virgil Abloh's (1980–2021) diverse creative practice, encompassing fashion, design, music, art, and advertising. It features original works, prototypes, sketches, digital media, and items from his personal collection.

Taking place at the historic Grand Palais during Paris Fashion Week, the exhibit will showcase a one-of-a-kind McIntosh MA8950 x Virgil Abloh Integrated Amplifier, making its public debut alongside a collection of objects from Virgil's creative endeavours on what would have been his 45th birthday.

Virgil Abloh (above) developed an artistic concept for the brand in early 2020 and is best known as the founder of the fashion label Off-White and as Artistic Director of menswear at Louis Vuitton. The McIntosh team brought his vision to life with an amplifier specially designed for the exhibition to honour his legacy. We're told that this collaboration "reinforces the shared belief that sound and design are inseparable cultural forces" and that "music was central to Virgil's creative process, shaping ideas, inspiring designs, and contributing to the lasting legacy we see today."

Reimagining McIntosh's iconic aesthetic, it is built on the acclaimed MA8950 integrated amplifier and finished in an eye-grabbing orange—a colour he used to signify energy, creativity, and disruption. You can see why StereoNET is also a fan of the enthusiastically citrusy hue.

The standard MA8950 is now a few years old and offers 200 watts per channel, along with nine analogue inputs: one balanced, six unbalanced, plus an MC (with adjustable loading) and a MM phono input. Alongside a five-band tone control, the amp also benefits from McIntosh's DA2 digital audio module, which incorporates a quad-balanced, eight-channel, 32-bit DAC.

Open to the public from now until October 9th, the exhibit not only honours Virgil's enduring influence but also reinforces McIntosh's role in shaping the future of sound, design, and creative expression.

More than just an amplifier, it represents a continuation of Virgil's story: his love for music and his belief that the combination of design and sound can advance culture.

For tickets to Virgil Abloh: The Codes, visit virgilabloh.com.

For more information visit McIntosh