Disappointing On Mcintosh......help

My Chevy will kick your Ford or Chrysler to the curb!

Oh wait. I switched to Toyota over 30 years ago and haven't look back. Buy what you like and what sounds good to you. Your good may not be my good. Quality and reliability count. Hard to listen to your gear while it's in the shop.. .

My amplifiers are Pass Labs and First Watt but in 1972 my wife and I bought a McIntosh MX110 preamp/tuner and MC2105 power amp.  The 2105 has never been serviced but here over a half century later it is still playing music in the basement party room at my son's house.  Reliability counts.

Just received a McIntosh MC312 power amplifier (latest generation, 300 WPC). 

Running it through its paces now and there is nothing to be critical of here- except the size and weight of the carton !  more later.........

For me at least it is not about being a Mc hater.  When I got reinvigorated in chasing great sound, I went through lots of equipment.  PS Audio, Stellar, sent it back for BHK, sold it.  Tried Audionet Preamp and loved it.  Tried Parasound JC1+'s, but fell in love with Audionet MAX amps.  Got a nice Tube Mc preamp (new) in for home demo.  I wanted to LOVE it!  I did!  It was dull and flat sounding compared to Audionet.  Not over etched or harsh.  Just great resolution and more life in the music.  Now I have top of the line Audionet amps and preamp and oh my so good.  Not about hating, about choosing.  Resolving SS gear needs to be special to not be fatiguing. 

+1 @steve59 

My 611s with my KEF R1 Metas are magical. The bass/mid-bass would have you believe I am running a sub. 

Mc (601s) with SF (Amati) is a brilliant combination—dynamic and smooth as hell. I have a separate system with an A21 and Tekton speakers that does not hold a candle to my Mc system. The A21 is dull in comparison with a flat sound stage. Wait, they are in different rooms. A +1 to the synergy comments—so much is in play. Before calling out a brand as good as bad, consider your room and all your components. Take it a step at a time and find what suits you.

In the current market Mcintosh is a bargain. The Mc611’s really brought my KEF Blades to life 

As people have mentioned a great sounding system relies on system synergy. 

I have heard Mac source and amplification sound uninspiring and even atrocious paired with GoldenEar and Sonus Faber speakers.  

I have also heard it sound about as good as sound can get with Magico speakers.  Also really nice with B&W diamond series speakers.  A to die for system with their recent cook top hybrid integrated amps and Klipsch heritage, especially the Fortes.  

Also their amplifiers can sound better when matched with non Mac preamps.  

Again, best of the best when matched up correctly- and they eliminate something that many reasonably priced solid state amplifiers struggle with- grain and sibilance.  The Macs have zero of either.    

Their Glory days were back in history---The brand image is so strong people will over look SQ for Meters, dials and resale value.

@phantom_av  

Curious which McIntosh models you listened to.

Not a Mc Fan here either, just never could like them no matter how much i tried too. They do have good resale value which i feel this is a plus bonus point.

This thread is the poster child child for applying one’s own filter when digesting audio forum comments, especially empassioned ones. Some posts will ridicule other’s strong preferences and then follow up with absolutist statements of their own...

Depending on preferences, room acoustics, cables  and choice of

speakers, McIntosh is well made and easy to like/listen too.  Eventually you may hear the slightest of veils over the sound but it will not be offensive.  If the overall mix of equipment is leaner, then it may go unnoticed.  In total?  Great stuff.  I’ve owned many brands and technologies…for me, Class A Krell sounds best to me.  Many wonderful choices are available today…listen and enjoy 😊 

I understand,  Best Buy / Magnolia is one in the same to me .   

@oddiofyl 

I believe that some of the Magnolia stores inside Best Buy sell McIntosh, but just the less expensive ones.  The regular Best Buy doesn't sell McIntosh to my knowledge.

I had McIntosh in what I call the "Dark Days" , better known as when Clarion owned them.  I had a C15 and 7100 that I bought used.  They were in exceptional condition and sounded pretty good.   I sold them for 50% more than I paid for them , after enjoying them for 5 years.  What can you buy that does that?  A Ferrari is the only thing I know of that appreciates like that.......

In their darkest hour McIntosh 's entry level stuff was better than most companies top tier and I believe that is still true today.   They have improved over the years since Clarion sold them. A lot

I was trying to see a C22 in person.  Their distributorship is terrible,  not a lot of dealers near me. BEST BUY ??????   Are they kidding?   That really cheapens the brand in my opinion..   The ones that were within  driving distance had none on display.  

I ended up buying a Zesto Leto,  an amazing preamp .....incredible sounding 

@raysmtb1, the wording is in green and the meters are blue! looks good to me!!

I am fortunate to have a very good system.  For the Wicked Games test, I used a Lumin T2 streamer/DAC, Kimber Kable Silver Streak to a Theta Casablanca V preamp/processor, Wireworld Equinox 8 interconnects to the two McIntosh MC 611 power amps, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 speakers to Revel Ultima Studios.  The power management was, for the components, Shunyata Venom V10 XC power cable to a Shunyata Denali Power Distributor and then Venom 14 to the two components; for the amplifiers, Shunyata Delta XC to a Shunyata Denali 2000/T power distributor and then Venom 10 XCs to the two amplifiers.

As good as the 611s are, the signal they got to amplify was very fine, too.  If any of the prior "chain" were of lesser quality, the clarity I enjoyed as well as the musicality might have been impaired.

I love the post.  So many say negative things about McIntosh, but never state the model or related equipment.  I also have 611’s and am very happy.  I hear clarity like I have never heard before.  However, I am going to listen to the track you mentioned.  I am sure some McIntosh equipment is better than other McIntosh equipment, but I am keeping my 611’s.

McIntosh is money in the bank! The meters should be green! Seriously, I listen to my money every night a 6pm. 

I decided to refresh this discussion, but not because I relish rabble-rousing.  This past weekend, I replaced my well-regarded stereo power amplifier with a pair of McIntosh MC 611 monaural power amplifiers.  While I get a kick out of those large blue windows with their needles bouncing to and fro, that was hardly the motivation behind my purchase any more than was their retention of value or their famous brand name.  Rather, I bought them because I wanted a better sounding system, this desire constrained by what would be to me, for that improvement, a fair price.

Beauty, in the sonic sense, is in the ears of the beholder.  I wanted to sit down and listen to music that was melodious, enveloping, and simply a delight to hear -- for hours on end.  These MC 611s fulfill that desire to a degree I had never before experienced in my media room.  I suppose that I qualify for being called an "audiophile".  I have steadily improved my audio system over the past 35 years; I doubt I shall never stop, although at this point I have reached a level of satisfaction that contentment is now the appropriate description of where I am.

This topic contains both praises and deprecations of McIntosh with lots of generalizations, particularly by those who are bad-mouthing McIntosh.  I find this amusing, as the only relevant comments are those where a specific component (McIntosh's or a competitor's) is introduced to a person's personal audio system, and that person articulates how well it worked. 

I know that a lot of people on Audiogon appear to relish "clarity".  I have a simple test for establishing whether a system (the amp and speakers being the most critical components) provides clarity.  Play "Wicked Games" by Chris Isaak.  A female chorus in the background softly sings "This world is only going to break your heart".  If the listener can make out every work without undue effort, then that system is truly clear.  (My former amps failed that test; the MC 611s passed it.) I may be wrong about this, but I believe there are two ways that clarity can be delivered.  The first is my having such outstanding ability to amplify the signal that nothing is lost in its boosting; the other is to "goose-up" the lower treble.  This is what airlines do enormously when they make passenger announcements, and it is really unpleasant to hear.  My suspicion is that a lot of amplifiers also do that, but to a lesser degree, of course.

I have been rambling, so let me bring this posting to a close.  I am not going to make a wholesale endorsement of McIntosh.  However, I do feel very comfortable saying that, in a first-class audio system, their MC 611 power amplifiers can be a terrific addition.  They certainly are to mine.

I've enjoyed a McIntosh C2500 tube preamp and MC452 solid state amp, driving a pair of Focal Sopra No2 speakers (in my experience, which can be difficult to listen to with other amps that are more on the bright side) and find they are an excellent match.

Loved the Mac sound. 
   About put me to sleep.

relaxing and detailed. 

I like a warmer sound. Too much treble is irritating to me. 

Congratulations and enjoy the music. 

Currently I’m running a McIntosh c53 preamp with a McIntosh mc452 power amp and a pair of KEF Blades! I couldn’t be more thrilled! The sound stage is spectacular and it is just a pleasure to listen to! Seems like KEF and and McIntosh like each other! Also used Audio Quest cables.😎🎶

Interesting. I've always found Mcintosh to be bright and thin but recently heard the C2700 with a MC462 on JBL 4349's and it was amazing. The newest generation of Mac gear sounds phenomenal... when paired properly. I heard that same MC462 run with a Jeff Rowland Capri S2 preamp and it sounded like TRASH. Pairing is VERY important and I do subscribe to the idea that our tastes may change a bit over time. Or we just forget. If you can, take your time and audition gear. Sometime's it's a pain in the @ss, especially during a pandemic, but allot of dealers will allow home demos - especially with preamps and the such. And every audio comment about sound should be followed with "it sounded bright and thin... TO ME"... sound is subjective. 

@mrklas,

I have a similar story and ended up with a McIntosh C2500 and MC302.  I am extremely satisfied and I love the generous amount of inputs and outputs, adjusting Moving Coil impedance on the fly by remote, bass and treble controls...I could go on and on.  The amp sounds so effortless, plenty of power for my speakers.  

@mrklas6, nice story! you should write a book! LOL!!

Value is in the eye of the beholder...I'll share my experience with upgrading my system.

My system started with Sonus Faber Venere 3.0s, NAD C375BEE with a vintage dual turntable and Parasound Tape Deck.

My system was designed from the start to be 2 channel stereo as I decided to have a dedicate home theatre and figured my living room could use music for entertainment.  I started with selecting speakers and looked at PSB Towers, (T2 or T3) and B&W 805D before selecting the Sonus Fabers.  My home theatre was NAD and I considered an Integra unit but since my NAD T785 performed well I stayed with NAD.  

I added a Node 2i and started thinking of upgrading.  My primary rationale was volume - I like it loud and I listen to rock, jazz, blues as well as R&B and pop when entertaining.

My audio dealer where I purchased the Node 2i had a special on Naim Atom - when I expressed my desire for my volume the dealer didn't think this upgrade would fit the bill.  So we discussed some other options and I decided to wait.

Then a McIntosh C2600 deal came up - it had a DAC, phono stage and I thought it may be a good way to get into separates.  Oh my did the sound change.  The sound became 'bigger' meaning you could hear all the nuances during the dynamic sections of music.

I noticed the amp was struggling at 45% when the Node 2i was the source.  The tape deck and phone sounded significantly better.  

I recently swapped the NAD C375BEE when I found a deal on a McIntosh MC 302 and this improved the sound quality and the volume.  I enjoyed playing music very load with the amp going strong to the 300w for music like April Wine's 20th Century Schizoid Man, Daft Punk's Get Lucky, Bestie Boys Brass Monkey.

Going back to the original post - that's your experience.  Its not mine.  I like the sound I have - I can play Black Sabbath Paranoid on an LP and I can hear the distinction in the bass from the drum and the guitars clearly during War Pigs.  I can stream a MQA on Tidal with Steel Dan or the Talking Heads and experience the dynamic range of the music.  The two things I've done to 'optimize my components' are I have Blue Jean Speaker Cables Bi-wired, Blue Jean Optical from the Node to the pre-amp, Transparent RCA from the tape deck to the amp and I'm using Better Cables Silver Serpent XLRs from the preamp to the Amp.  The difference between Transparent RCA from pre-amp to amp was significant - specifically in overall volume and when there is 'silence' in music such as during Johnny Cash's Hurt.

Hopefully this is interesting, useful or at least amusing.

As a Mcintosh owner as well I say find another dealer who really
knows the product line well and can steer you in the right direction. There are models that sound clearer than other models but I think most Mcintosh owners are after that less fatiguing warm tube sound. My dealer here in Quebec Cananda did some A/B comparisons to demonstrate how different one model from another can sound. All in the same price range. So Mcintosh is
trying to offer something for everyone. You just have to find it. 
Good Luck! 😎

I hate to tell you, but auditions like that are a waste of time.  You don’t know what you’re hearing.  If you don’t develop a reference point for yourself, you’re just wondering around making meaningless comments.
Buy what you want and give it a try in your own system, with your own ears, and go from there.  Don’t be biased - forget the brand.  Good luck

@djcxxx have to agree but I'd go one step further and say MAC is uninvolving to my ears, just not musical IMHO. 

To each their own taste. I gave McIntosh a try in a second system, C70/MC462. Well built, attractive, and good value compared to craziness of high end pricing. I sold the McIntosh units after a few months because I found I didn't really like the sound reproduction which, for lack of reviewer's vocabulary, was more hi-fi than high end. 

The McIntosh haters can all convene in my living room and upstairs room and listen to my 2 McIntosh based systems.  When listening to my living room system, wear a diaper as you may soil yourself.  You will also need to pick your jaw off the floor before leaving. Nuff said. 

@dsimpson   I know .  Mcintoshs sounds  like a semi-dull sound that I just cant stand.

The Mcintosh sound eluded me. Tried the vintage ones in my early years, including the legendary MA230, MC240, MC30, MC75, MC225 and MC275. Tried the recent models as well (can’t even remember that $6000 tube integrated’s model other than I lost $2k to get rid of it).

Just not my cup of tea.

However, the fact that I don’t like Spanish food does not mean Spanish food is inferior in any way. I just prefer something else.

So don’t feel bad if you don’t like it, and don’t let people make you feel inferior just because you are unable to find ways to appreciate it.

I concur that those 50's/60's McIntosh lower power amps were phenomenal.

The MC30s drove my Legacy Focuses which have low impedances.  Stock, they are rather limited in bass and highs but the best mids ever. 

The 1990s SS McIntosh amps were unable to drive my former ML Monolith IIIs at all (neither could Levinsons).  Terrible mismatches.  However, those powerful SS McIntosh amps of today can easily and beautifully power Maggies of all sizes.  

Another brand that sounds different from Mac but is still one of those that just sounds right to me is the older Atma-sphere gear.  Check them out if you cannot live with Mcintosh.

I have to say after many years of listening, I cannot put my finger on it but their just something about the McIntosh tube gear, especially the MC275, MC240, MC225, and MC30 that just sounds so right.  Never get bored of that sound and its worth every penny.

hi stereo5. I got some gear coming in a few weeks :]

@d2girls...…………………..

There are two kinds of people in this world, those that love McIntosh, and those that can’t afford it. I used that back in the 70’s when we sold McIntosh. I would say it if the customer was on the fence and got them every time.

Seriously, McIntosh is great equipment.  The people that don't like it may have not gotten a very good audition with mismatched components.  Audio stores used lots of tricks back in the day, like putting a particular set of speakers out of phase on purpose so we could sell other brands with more profit margin.  Don't worry what the others think. you can't go wrong with that brand.  I love all my Mac gear and anyone who tells me my system isn't resolving enough only has to come over and listen.  You will have to pick your jaw off the floor though before you leave.