Do true audiophiles own Mcintosh gear

MAC is nice gear; but is also in many ways a status symbol.

Like many people who buy a BMW and only commute back and forth to work in it.

Many want you to see their MAC gear, not necessarily hear it. Still nice stuff...

Hi,

Recently I listened to Mcintosh's reference system at a local audio dealer. I was buying some speaker wire. The system cost 200,000 dollars and had monoblock 2000 watt amps and seperate preamps. The speakers had 6 12" woofers and a line array of 24 2' midranges and 36 1" dome tweeters. It soundede very very good and life like.

So I would say Mac gear is " Audiophile " gear, a lot more audiophile then I am.

Larry

I am not sure if audiophile own mcintosh,but seem like all the financial analyst and investment banker all own mcintosh.

I've taken a pretty extensive tour of tube amplification over the past 35 years, and am currently running three SET systems with tube pre-amplification. None if this gear is McIntosh, but not for lack of audiophile quality from that brand. That company did suffer a product crisis in the 1980s into the early 1990s, but you can't be too hard on them for that. During the same period, the aural horror of Krell was introduced to us, Audio Research sound got progressively colder and ascetic, and the CD was still finding its way to quality in the entire chain from digital recording to mastering to duplication to playback gear.

However, you'd be hard-pressed today to hear a better amp at any price than a McIntosh MC1201 monoblock pair, and its smaller brothers in the "quad differential" range aren't slouches. The MA6900 integrated is one of the more musical integrated amps of any topology. Their push-pull tube amps are among the best of that topology. And the preamp range gives you a good range of transistor and vacuum bottle options delivering essentially the same balanced, musical, penetratingly revealing sound. I don't find satisfaction in any of McIntosh's speakers, but for some other makers' speakers, there's no better amp than a Mac.

Phil

Vintage Mac gears were great.
They were the best looking amp back then as well.
Although they might not be the best sounding at that era but they're sure one of the reference amp in that era.
The Monos like MC30/MC60
The stereos like MC225/MC240/MC275
Many of the modern amps still don't sound as sweet as these vintage amps.
The vintage tube Tuners is still one of the best.
MR67/MR71 still sounds better than many of today's top tuner.
The preamp are decent as well. The C20/C22 were the best from that time.

So, it depends are who you are and what you listening to, the gears may vary as preference may vary.

The question is: are you listening to music, or are you impressing people? If the former and you like your Mc gear, the question is settled. If you are impressing people, then you need the audio equivalent of the tux discussion. First you decide what audience you're impressing and then you select the brand that best does that.

One of the best descriptions I've seen in ages about this hobby. With a little tweaking, we could list other brands to put in the Mc catagory. Might be a useful exercise.

Granted, the Mc willl impress the great unwashed also(gheesh, even Blose will do that), however they are excellent quality pieces, and retain their value well.

While undoubtedly someone will come along and take offense to retained value as an indicator of something (anything), the fact that Mac sells VERY well used here vs. the flavor of the month stuff that can barely be given away, speaks volumes.

Yes,

In My opinion Mac had a period not sure of the exact time line maybe mid 80-early 90's where they seemed to make good but not great ture audiophile grade great. I preferred brands like Audio Research and Conrad Johnson even Sonic Frontiers (when they worked). These companies and many other that we all know were dedicated to sonic perfection above all else.

Recently however I think it was late 90's MacIntosh took the gloves off and started designing some really great sounding gear. Awesome Massive power amplifiers that sounded as good as they looked.

Even more recently they set their mark on Preamplifiers.

I took notice of the C2200 a modern take on a revered classic the c22. I loved the look and it had all the features I wanted and more. But was this piece more sizzle than steak?

One of my friends was an ardent Mac fan, and some great press, convinced me to try one, In place of an Audio research preamp (unthinkable?)I figuired I could resell it and put this debate to rest if I did not like it.

To my surprise I love it.

The C22 is crisp detailed and has a wide sound stage. I would not call it bright but it sounded brighter than my Audio Research in a good way! There may be few if no other preamp that offer the hookup flexability and remote control that this piece offers

So Yes in my opinion Mac now makes Audiophile grear that sounds true to the music. and you can purchase a complete matching system from one manufacturer including HT , dvd, tuners..and new stuff matches cosmetics of classics like MR78-80 Tuners

PS they have the nicest people working in the sales and service department, and like Audio Research they repair almost any piece they ever made at reasonable prices! Mac even upgraded my tuner for free when they serviced it(Unlike Mark Levison's $ 1,200 plus repair minimum #$^&^#$^&# ) more on that story to follow!

Just to comment a bit further on Blindjim's excellent editorial, I find that in snobbery (and this applies to any field, not just audio) there is an inverse relationship between name recognition/availability and exclusivity. As a brand becomes more widely known it begins to lose it's cache among the cognoscenti

One of my favorite stories is many years ago I was buying a suit in a wholesale type tailor in the garment district of my city. A fellow was also there buying a tux. After he got it selected and measured for fitting, the tailor looked at him and asked what brand label he wanted in the jacket. They then proceeded to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of brand recognition. The problem was the most expensive brand was a name that not many people recognized so it would fail at impressing ordinary folk. So, the tailor recommended a slightly less exclusive but more widely known expensive brand. That way the fellow would impress more people with his fine taste in clothing.

McIntosh is excellent gear. It is well crafted, has a depth of support that is unequaled, and I've certainly heard superb sound from many McIntosh powered systems over the years.

The question is: are you listening to music, or are you impressing people? If the former and you like your Mc gear, the question is settled. If you are impressing people, then you need the audio equivalent of the tux discussion. First you decide what audience you're impressing and then you select the brand that best does that.

No,they do not.

To a certain extent brands like Mac and B&W are living off their reputation. At most price points, a value minded buyer can find more for the dollar.

However, it is undeniable that both companies offer products of high build quality supported by an excellent distributor and retail network.

Oh yeah, IMO of course.

I have been infected with the audio bug for the last 50 or so years. I have always had some type of a audio system; some modest and some not. I have worked in the audio industry at the dealer level and sold the McIntosh line. I have owned both SS and valve systems of all brands and countries. Here is what I think: there are two types of audio people. The first likes to listen to equipment and the second likes to listen to music! The audiophile tends to be the former of the two and before the internet, they were the mainstay of the Hi-Fi industry; always upgrading or changing for one reason or another. Pick which one you are???? My 2 cents.

McIntosh owners are generally content with their equipment and are relieved to not be on the upgrade merry-go-round. Furthermore, the MC1201, MC501, MDA1000, MS300, MS750, MC275, and C1000 are all considered Best in Class.

This question was discussed here: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&964325069&read&keyw&zzmcintosh

I'd say the short answer is "Yes".

BUT perhaps one should define what is meant here by “True Audiophile” first. Eh?

Are audio nuts, (to supplant the aforementioned), only those who trudge the less traveled path? Buying only the esoteric and eclectic? Dwelling only in the neighborhood of one off makes, and back room productions?

Are they folks who simply pay far more than they should for audio gear, having items in their systems which preclude many from their purchase? I think snob would be a word best served were this purely the case.

Or are Audio nuts simply fanatics? Obsessed human beings which are chronically dissatisfied? Perpetually exchanging this for that and that for this, in order to acquire some perceived greater sonic bliss?

Or merely egomaniacs whose efforts are solely self effacing?

Or are audiophiles, yech, , those people who strive to gain the most performance from their audio systems? Those whose efforts are towards a sound which rivals the actual in it’s reproduction? Could it be they simply take great pride in matching the various aspects of a system to achieve an involving and exciting recreation of the sonic picture? Those people that do as best they can to simply put together something they feel is quite satisfying and enjoyable?

Just how much time, money, and attention to detail does a person have to invest to acquire the moniker ?

Beats me. I didn’t create the word. Nor do I like it’s connotation. Usually. Perhaps the genre should have classes. Some better definition more clearly separating audio hobbyist/enthusiasts into various levels of their neurosis or psychosis. . Like for example, A. A., B. A., & M. A..

The A.A. could be the Accidental Audiophile… which would be those persons who finding themselves in a reflective moment, exclaim, “I sure hadn’t planned on spending that much!”

The B.A. could be the Better than Audiophile that figures whatever winds up in his or her system is just Better than ______ .

The M.A. or Manic Audiophile would then be that group which finds themselves with more funds in their various systems than they have in their car or home.

Lastly, the PhD. A. The Phrustrated Audiophile which spans a broader category and contains those seemingly more experienced folk who contend their now system is not as good as one’s they owned previously and will need a lot more time and money to be ‘just right’!

But on the McIntosh owners being Audiophiles, per se.. Well, brand recognition is a big deal in sales, generally speaking. Brand loyalty is as well. when a maker like Mac has been around as long as they have there’s going to be a large following of previous Mac owners. Huge dealer network, OEM service, and after market resale. All of which keeps the name on many lips.

Audiophile status? Why not? That is always subjective.

I see Mac gear as a safe bet. Good quality. Yet pretty conservative stuff. Certainly in their line are those pieces which constitute high end performance and widespread appeal, and possessing new technology, as well as good build quality. Their availability for service, sales, and even refurbishing of older fare is surely a major statement… but THE preeminent maker of high end audio, and bleeding edge technology? I’d not go that far. A quality item in general? Yes, of course.

I would say this, if I did buy some McIntosh gear, it would be done with a great deal of confidence. I’d also shop around too, as I feel McIntosh is a tad over valued in my opinion, given their price to performance quotient…. But then, these days, what isn’t?

Maybe your friend, the McIntosh owner that isn’t driven to fuss and fiddle with his rig continually, is happy with It as is.

Isn’t that the goal? To wind up with something which needs nothing further to provide one regularly, much, by way of audio satisfaction?

I am envious of your McIntosh owning friend. he's sure saving lots of time and money on gear... and is side stepping the therapists couch too.

What's a "true audiophile"?

They are by definition "High End", based on price. I own an old one that synergizes with my vint6age Klipsch speakers very well.
I also own Von Scheickert Vr2s , JM lab Electras, Merlins.and more.... a few amps and ancillary pieces but am I an audiophile? I do have a habit of listen tomusic daily.
It seems your friend does not like music so he is not.
How would you define being an audiophile? If you don't like their amps does that mean they poor amps, there are many other to choose from.Including poorly made non linear ones in High End shops.
Is Gryphon OK? Is Accuphase a little to warm and liked by people not obsessed?
I have 1959 JBL C38s with the 030 driver package.Is that audiophile?
Finally I have found tube amps that make me very happy. I don't think anyone would find them to be midfi sounding if not told what was being played.
Hold on to your hats they are Chinese. -If you think my being a friend of the distributor is a conflict of interest take this with that in mind.- I truly found nirvana undoubtedly for a period of time,in the 4 X 6CA7s per block Cyber 800s by Opera/ Consonance. I just so happen to have bought a Consonance integrated years ago, from a different person.. But is that audiophile? I can't believe they aren't but you might think they can't be! Not enough harcores use them right, maybe they should (Audiofeil here on the gon is the authorized on line dealer. Norvinz also found on Audiogon carries and distributes the Cyber series)
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Many people follow Mac gear..Like your freind,many swear buy it..I actually think it is a better product today than years ago due to competition..In the past ( years ago ) I always thought they were nice to look at ,but didn't offer anything special for sound..Today may be different,but for my$$$ I think you can do better for the money spent elsewhere..Just my 2 cents......