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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
amwarwick
40 posts
 
I honestly don't know how you could go wrong with any of their products. I have been into high end audio for years and have owned several great sounding systems, my last being Krell FPB series. I then ventured into MAC equipment and bought a MC2000 amp along with C100 pre and their two piece CD play back units. How's it sound? Well let me tell you in my humble opinion, this may very well be the last equipment I need to buy...then again. Anyway, MAC still lives up to it's name and let's face it, those who don't like MAC gear are those who probably can't afford it !
tom_munro
162 posts
 
I don't have a lot of experience with Mac equipment but did have an opportunity to audition the MC602 with my Thiel CS7.2s over a long weekend. Compared to the ML336, Krell FPB300, and Classe CAM350 the MC602 was easily the most powerful, relaxed, and warm sounding amp. On large scale classical works string sections were never steely or hard edged sounding, and horns had a nice colorful burnished tone. If it was my wife's decision the MC602 would be in my system today. She loved it. Perhaps its just my bias, but on more upbeat music; rock, R&B, etc., the Mac didn't get my foot tapping. YMMV.
nsainshane OP
3 posts
 
Tom post is interesting, How do others rate McIntosh with different types of music?
bwhite
807 posts
 
Foot tapping is usually a matter of system synergy vs. a single component.
budrew
467 posts
 
Well, I did it and purchased a 6500 integrated amp. It sounds beautiful, crisp, and soooo quiet. Even my old Boston Acoustics sound good (I'm receiving some Tannoys next week). Ah, the beauty of a true cultural icon. I love it. You can have your techno amp; I'll take my McIntosh.
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