McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

@vuch I agree that Mike is very helpful. Yes. For some he can be an acquired taste. I don’t have any experience with McIntosh yet.  So I can’t comment on his comments about Mac. But I do disagree with what he said about Magico. They are some of the best speakers I have ever heard. I also have a pair of A3s. I do think they sound good. They are very truthful speakers. Because I am a gear hound (isn’t everyone here?) I have supplemented them with a pair of REL T/9i subs and a pair of Aperion AMT super tweeters. Not because the Magico tweeter is bad. Just that I was curious about what they would do. I liked them. So I kept them. I think the big advantage of having the subs and super tweeters is that you have more options as to how you want to adjust your soundstage with toeing in or front firing the sub, super tweeters and or the Magicos. But Mike also makes nice inexpensive things like his silver Maggies upgrade kit on the 1.7is that I used to own. Lastly, he does rep Jeff Rowland and I got a good deal on a pair of Model 125s. I am happy and in process of breaking them in. Like everyone, sometimes folks say things you don’t agree with. But that doesn’t nullify all the other positive things he has said or done. Just pick and choose what you want to listen to from Mike just like anyone else inside or outside of audio. 

@mikepowellaudio As someone who values justice and fairness and not making unfair and unwarranted assumptions I have the following to say:

I have done business with Mike Powell on two occasions since I got back into this hobby several years ago. First was several years ago when I bought his Maggie silver upgrades for my Maggie 1.7is. He was professional to work with and always pleasant, available and communicative. The upgrades were great and I highly recommend them. The second time was recently, when I got a good deal on a pair of NIB, sequentially serial numbered Jeff Rowland Model 125 amps. Again, very professional, great to work with, available and communicative. I would definitely do business with Mike again.

Some of you may not like his style. Fine. To each his own. But he tells you what he thinks and doesn’t BS. I would rather listen to him and do business with him than say the Innuos reps I talked to at AXPONA who fed me this BS rationalization about why they use underpowered cheap parts in their Zenith. Mike you exposed their BS and confirmed my suspicions with my Zenith Mk3. I feel that Innuos and possibly other Roon Core server vendors take advantage of us audiophiles with a bunch of hype and BS to sell us a product inferior to a well spec’d NUC for thousands more. I feel like I had been taken advantage of. You like that style? Mike exposed their garbage in one of his videos. He is doing us a service. For those of you with Innuos gear who like it. Great. I am glad you are happy. That is what matters. It’s a hobby.

The point is he gave an honest opinion about McIntosh. You don’t like it? Great. You don’t have to like it. You also don’t have to agree with it. Just don’t be a jerk to Mike because he has a different opinion to you. Don’t we have enough disagreement and vitriol in this country. We have to now bring that into audio? Give me a break. Go listen to some music on your gear, McIntosh or otherwise. You’ll feel better.