I have seen some Interesting comments about Mcintosh lately
These comments come from here and a couple of other sites.
1.The only people that buy Mcintosh gear are one's that just don't listen. 2. Mcintosh is what rich people buy just like Mercedes Benz. 3. Mcintosh relies on generational buyers as a business plan. 4. Mcintosh is known for rebranding products and putting there name on it. 5. Mcintosh has great looks but uses cheap off the bin parts.
I can't think of another high-end company that have so many stereotypes about the brand. On the other hand I can't think of another audio company that has been in business as long.
wolf_garcia - I agree in general, but, that said, I just replaced a 5AR4 (Mullard) after only 8 months in my pre-amp. I now have a backup, just in case.
Legumes are actually a very small group of tubers as they are not tubers at all, but peanuts themselves are a large group if each individual peanut is counted. I hope this clears up that issue. Also, tubes blow of course (had one in my hifi amp commit "tubicide" right in front of me…amp survived)…but more frighteningly I endured a SS amp blowing after a show killing an entire pile of pro bass speakers...I continue to be traumatized by that painful experience…and that was in 1978….*sniff*...
@philkoan The next time you think about buying something hi-end at Mac prices, I urge you to consider Bryston gear, new or used. Everything Bryston sells comes with a 20 year transferable warranty. I once purchased an 18 year old Bryston .5B preamp that developed a problem in one channel. I shipped it off to Bryston's authorized service center on the other side of the country from me. Three weeks later it was returned to me, in a factory carton, at no charge. Not even shipping.
I think anyone who purchases an old Mac tube amp will likely be happy with the way it sounds and will get a good resale on it should they choose to part with it. But I wouldn't touch anything Mac otherwise. Sorry to hear about your bad experience.
Funny comparing the accuracy of Rolex to Seiko. Expensive mechanical watches are not about ultimate accuracy. If it was, any old $69.95 Timex will do. A typical $10,000 mechanical watch will get as accurate as +- 4 seconds per day (if you are lucky) versus a couple of seconds per MONTH on let's say an entry level sub 1k TAG. Expensive mechanical watches are about craftsmanship and pride of ownership, which does not always mean snobby.
McIntosh? Simple. The Harley Davidson of Audio. Not the fastest, not the most confortable, and far from the most reliable, or up to date with technology, and for some, retro outdated looks on the cheesy side.
But nevertheless an icon of american history that keeps its value pretty well.
McIntosh, Harley, take your pick!
One makes noise, the other music, and depending on the machine, you might wonder which one makes which ;)
i remember when i first learned how to post on the internet. but i digress, the plain truth is that anyone of us would jump at the chance of owning a mac tube amp. sure we know it might be not quite as refined as other high end units but at the end of the day...it'll do. i feel dirty for even replying to that op
Not to sound hoity toity here because I'm now as poor as a church mouse but I have a pair of mc40 monoblocks, a C22 and an MX 130 processor,,, as well as a Rolex and. Patek Philippe. Comparing apples to oranges is fun but knowing what I know (having been in the jewelry business for my entire life) I'd say that McIntosh gear is between the Rolex and the Patek! They all last for ever when maintained and function worlds above other brands, respectively.
testpilot, have you ever ridden in a Ferrari? It's impressive in the way a lot of high-end audio equipment is. One can actually "be into" cars and not just buy them for the imagined status upgrade. Certainly some people are in the latter category but not all are.
The "function worlds above other brands" is a silly statement, and patently untrue. Pateks and Rolexes are valuable (and relatively expensive) but not necessarily better at keeping time than many less precious mechanical watches, and McIntosh amps compete with far less costly things that are also well designed and sound astonishingly (and equally) good. Ever notice a Ball watch or Primaluna amp? An Oris, Jolida, or Vincent? Ever ride in a Mini turbo? Well, come on down!
We all hear differently. I have an mc275. I think it sounds fantastic and is well worth the money. I had audio research, my friend owns atma-sphere and it sounds great. For the money, the mc 275 is a great value. But to my ears, everything has to be right. Especially power tubes. Just tried shuggie treasures and they will not be my choice. I like the old vintage tung sols. Maybe it is just that this amp really likes vintage tubes.
If the American people knew what I have done, they would hunt me down and kill me and audiophiles are getting harder to please. Hold on! the mic is on and we are live? Ok, please disregard this previous statement. This is not about building better sounding gear but rather establishing a better relationship with you. So what is wrong with McIntosh gear?
I just joined this site a few days ago. The reason I did is because I wanted to learn as much as I can about audio equipment as it has become a passionate hobby of mine. How disappointed I am to see a string of posts such as this one. A few of those who posted had valid good information. The rest however, had zero value to me and was an insult to my sensibility. Really!!!!! Some of it was like a childish playground bully session. How is it of value to audio lovers to go off on watches and cars and slam products you probably have little or no knowledge of? Wouldn't it have been easier to post information intended to educate interested folks with the same passion instead of popping off and showing your ignorance? I'm sure my post will infuriate some but I don't care. I will not be aware of your replies because I won't be back on this string. As soon as I finish my 2 cents worth here, I'm going to shut down my MA-452 powering my B&W 802D 2's, choose which Rolex to wear, put the top down on my CLK-350 and go for a drive. It's a beautiful day here. Too bad I probably won't enjoy it because I have such s****y taste choosing such substandard products in all categories. Oh well, maybe I'm the ignorant one. Anyone want all of my crap for free?
skelton, Such is the nature of the audiophile forum, you too will learn to chuckle at the cat fighting and snarkiness. McIntosh is not the only brand to polarize so, but it must be at the very top. You don't need others validation to enjoy your choices, just self confidence, which I'm sure you possess and will realize as soon as you get back from your drive and start listening to your rig. Enjoy
wolf_Garcia, I would agree, it is pretty cool stuff and if you don't own a turtable with a glowing platter than you should string a set of blinking Christmas lights around your rig just for the effect!
Several years ago I was auditioning a pair of Mirage M5si's, 85-lb. 51" tall floorstanders. They sounded a bit anemic to me when driven by the big 250wpc Sunfire amp everybody was raving about. We even tried it in both Current and Voltage moves. No dice.
Then the sales rep inserted a pair of 300w McIntosh mono blocks. Aaaah! There's the magic. They really made those Mirages stand up and sing, and the bass was to die for.
I'm a bottom-feeder; I got the $2K Mirages that evening for $1K on closeout, and then sold my ADS L1090ii's to a co-worker for $675, for a total of $325 out-of-pocket.
But if I could have afforded to take home those McIntosh monoblocks, I would have done that too.
So there it is. I'm not rich enough to make a blatant display of wealth, and I have the knowledge and experience to discern the quality of audio gear. And yet, I had an experience where a McIntosh product owned the room.
Skelton, I am sure there are many mac, rolex, and b&w owners who like their gear and are slight egomaniacs at best, I was just waxing philosophically on the primary motivation for most. How many times have you upgraded b&w speakers to the next one or two up the line? Its a pretty consistent outcome.
I own at lot of Mac gear, I just never knew my primary motivation for getting it was that I was a slight egomaniac. I thought it was because I liked the music it made. You learn something everyday on these forums. Thanks @trueemaineiac!
I had a pair of Mirage M3si and sounded best with my Krell FPB600. I would never consider using tube amps with Mirages.
Once I considered MC2301 but never a big fan of McIntosh. Sound is a bit too soft for my taste. With that said, the best I heard Thiel CS7.2 was with a full stack of McIntosh at Stereo Shop on Mass Ave in Arlington, MA. Stereo Shop was close to my office and LONG gone now.
I had a pair of Mirage M3si and sounded best with my Krell FPB600. I would never consider using tube amps with Mirages.
I wrote about my experience auditioning Mirage M5si’s with McIntosh 300w monoblocks. I assumed everyone understood that these are solid state. I’d also never dream of driving the Mirage M_si series with a tube amp either, what with their large enclosures with dual 4" ports, But those SS monoblocks? They sounded really nice with the M5si’s.
Surfers don't need tide data if they're surfing because they're actually physically in the data stream and can see and feel the currents…I wear a watch while surfing to see what time it is, and to show off my cool watches when they're not hidden under my wetsuit sleeve. Note that you should never take McIntosh gear surfing as it is not waterproof (a thread specific addendum…you're welcome).
Since posting on this thread I have become the proud owner of a Casio 200m Solar G Shock watch as well as a beautiful but fake Casio Frogman Titanium 200m watch that might not provide perfectly reliable timekeeping while out catching a wave.
Casios are classic. Check out the Lum Tec 500, Hard to find one for sale, but check images, comes in PVD or Stainless. Limted edition only 200 made in each of the 3 series, 600 in total. Massive watch if you are going for looks has a reliable Seiko Automatic movement, more of a Divers watch for under the stream of great data you experience.
If you ask most people about "high end audio", they will usually associate that with "Bose". I know very few people who have even heard of McIntosh. When I mention the name, most people say it's a product from the company that makes the iPhone....
"03-24-2016 3:34pm If you ask most people about "high end audio", they will usually associate that with "Bose". I know very few people who have even heard of McIntosh. When I mention the name, most people say it's a product from the company that makes the iPhone...."
Yeah, I see what you're saying. You're saying if you ask ignorant people, people ignorant of high end audio. Well, duh!
McIntosh is in so many high-end systems and there is a reason it sounds great, ultra reliable, people bash it, and I was one until I heard a system 10 years ago, I then owned it, like others the old passing on of myths from the 70's onward. It also looks good to boot. Does not mean one has to like it, but give them props, the USA made till today, and their gear last forever something I cannot say fr other gear I've owned with Caps going bad and other parts within 5 years needing a total rebuild. My MC 402 is still going strong after 16 years and I sent it back to McIntosh for a check-up a few resistors were replaced nothing else was needed.
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