Disappointing On Mcintosh......help


 3 Months ago  I went to NYC and stopped by the WOM  and auditioned several MCintosh gear...........and left a bit disappointed or not impressed...then I told myself   " lets give a second shot"  and went today to a  HIFI store and again Good room accoustics10K speakers , MC Preamp , MC Amplifier........ and again  the same disappointment I felt 3 month earlier.

Is that the "warm" sound people reffer to about Mcintosh?  
The sound is ample, base is powerfull  but the the sound is simply  not to clear, the hights are not too "crisp"  It sounds like the treble is set at 3 and needs to be adjusted at 9 or 10.
It seems like  the sound is  coming through a thin layer of paper ...that is the way I describe that sound.  

Then 20 minutes later I auditioned a Parasound A21+ and a JC5 and the sound was more clear and the highs were crispier

Whats your take on my experience?  or That is the MC "warm sound? 
128x128cydrone

Showing 3 responses by durkn

I’ve owned it, I’ve tried it, I sold it and moved on.
Sounded good, but had bloom & a signature sound.

My VTL gear outperformed it in so many ways.

@vegasears 
The Mac I tried was SS.
It had too much house sound for me.
C2500 looks to be quite a bit better...

Curious which other VTL & ARC pre’s you compared?
TL-2.5
TL-5.5 (series one or two)



Vegasears
I owned the TL-2.5 for two decades.
The early 12AX7 & 6350 tube model.
After rolling to the right tubes, it went to having little signature sound & little tube sound. It had more natural uncolored sound.
The I upgraded to the TL-5.5 (series 1)
After rolling to the right tubes, it went to having no signature sound & no tube sound. After going to reference quality cables, there is no house sound, no coloration, just the open & airy music without bias.
I’ve gotten to the place I wanted & glad you have too.