Is McIntosh still a good choice?


When I was a teenager I was really into stereo equipment. I eventually bought a complete system and thus moved on to other interests in life. At the time McIntosh was highly respected. My grandfather owned several McIntosh pieces and I revered them with their blue glow. Now it's time for me to become an audiophile again and I'm upgrading my system. I still have reverence for Mac equipment and love it's industrial design. Is McIntosh still highly respected, or have they become passe? Should I still consider a Mac integrated amp? I'm also exploring an Arcam A85 integrated. I'll be driving a pair of Paradigm Studio/20s. Thanks!
nsainshane
Until you own a Mac SS and listen to it over a period of time particularly with the latest designs you may have a thing about the transformers - but one thing I have realized from many many years of owning them and Krell. Levinson, Electrocompaniet and others is the Mac brings music in better with a more natural presence and fatigue free over longer listening periods than many of these. Many amps claim a tube sound with their SS designs but Mac uses what it takes in SS to actually do so. Their tube amps have been what others have been trying to copy for years. Buy that 6900 or go even further with the 2102 and C42 combo and then just enjoy the music!
I've certainly been happy with the Mac equipment that I've purchased or heard over the years. A couple of the earlier messages in this thread mentioned reservations about Mac CD and DVD players. I'd like to hear more about that. Its not been my experience - although admittedly I did recently pair an MVP841 CD/DVD unit with an outboard DAC and found enough of an improvement to warrant keeping it.

Skip
hi! mac was good ,still good and in future for shure good as the best!tubes or solid state,they make music!
keep your mac and be happy with!all best from germany
and enjoy!ciao luciano
Thanks for all the great responses! The McIntosh is very expensive, but I always look at the long-term value of things and include the less tangible emotional value of such investments. I'm convinced that McIntosh is worth every penny and will be a pleasure to own for many years to come, and most importantly, after side-by-side listening tests of various Mc models, my ears are very, very happy with the sound of the 6900. I'm afraid the tube amp is simply too expensive an option right now because of its higher price and the fact that a preamp would have to be purchased as well. Anyway, I need to allow for something to look forward to in the future in the way of upgrades : ) Good listening space fans! AT
I agree with Ljgj. I have a modest MA6450 integrated and love the sound. I saw a MA6850 on ebay recently which went begging at $2200 (what I paid for my MA6450 new), so you can get some great deals. MAC gives a nice full sound and maybe some bloom which I enjoy. And those big blue meters at night will really relax you. Classic looks, classic sound.

Enjoy!