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

A  cool $1800.

Even better value at $1500.

Heaven forfend that an audio company should capitalize on its looks...

@twoleftears,

And………..Your point? They make a clock and a sign and that invalidates the brand?  What really is your point here, are you lusting for the clock or sign and can’t find one? Or, are you nitpicking a 75 year old American Company and one of the most successful companies in all of Audio?   Your attempt at humor is lame at best.  Try again. 

Many of my Mac friends and clientele own lots of these Mac signs and clocks, as they are obsessed with the brand. 

I am not obsessed with the brand, but if someone gave me one of those displays, I'd use it.

I never said " every " Mac owner was, as I indicated " many ". However, every Mac owner on this thread, in one way or another, continues to defend the brand, with obsessive allegiance....I would guess, that if that clock and sign were offered to Mac customers, for the cost of $200. each ( maybe even a little higher ), everyone would buy them. We spend that easily on wires of all sorts, isolation devices of all sorts, fuses, and so on. If I currently owned Mac, I would certainly buy them. Enjoy ! MrD.

classic struggle session in this thread. why does anybody care if a dealer doesn't like mcintosh? that's his opinion, you have yours, and somehow, some way, the world keeps on turning. hilarious

"If I currently owned Mac, I would certainly buy them." If the clock told the time as well as the amps played musically, you would be constantly late for any appointment.

round here that‘s a declaration of war..

However, every Mac owner on this thread, in one way or another, continues to defend the brand, with obsessive allegiance....

makes you wonder if Putin got badly dissed for his vintage Mac’s playing Stravinsky back at the Kremlin..

You people are still talking about this? You need a real hobby. I think a few of you are better suited for politics considering you never seem to give any real productive advice.  

you expect quality analysis on the Jerry Springer show? Try another channel or get a life…..

I don't understand why all the hate for those that love the McIntosh brand. It's like Ford vs. Chevy. Let folks enjoy what they like.

mattmiller

 

 

Mcintosh makes so many products, it started in the 80’s when they were purchased by Clarion. Now they are part of the Fine Sounds Inc family.

I just got done putting together my dream system. OCD Mike might throw up at this but I'm loving every moment of it!. No regrets.

Beautiful, and I love the rack.

I also like the rack. I have the 462. Any heat issues with the limited ventilation on top???

Thanks guys. 
 

@randym860 theres almost 4” clearance above the amp. The front of the frame hangs low but there’s plenty of clearance beyond that (see the space above the Oppo). 
That said, this beast runs cool to the touch. I don’t crank it up too high for general listening but it’s never warm even playing continuously at 40%. 

@bugsnest beautiful system, and love those racks. Do you mind me asking where did you buy the racks from?

Thanks @arafiq   I had got this rack from a seller on Audiogon about 18 months back. Paid $600. I believe they import it from Vietnam. Nice quality and craftsmanship. I bet it’s gone up in price now. 

It's a good dealer!

tuscanycation,

Who's a good dealer?

This dealer is nuts. If mac wasn't the best, they wouldn't increase in valueb. In 1976, I bought my Ma6100 integrated amp. To this day, it's still playing flawlessly daily, AND ITS NEVER BEEN SERVICED. I should say it also handles high resolution music files with ease. I originally paid 649.00 for it. The last offer I had was 2400 00.but ill never sell. 

If going up in value is the determining factor, then marantz must be better.

I hadn't looked at the Audiogon forums for many months(because it's typically an exercise of self flagellation)  but had a specific question and stumbled across this thread. I'm in a unique situation to both live about 10 minutes from Mike Powell and be a McIntosh owner. Mike is zealous, has firmly held beliefs, and is passionate/intense. His system sounds absolutely phenomenal and he's a gracious host. I can confidently say that I believe he's a good guy in his heart. Hearing his system was an invaluable experience of knowing what is possible and it really helped me understand my own motivations for my system. His system reminds me very much of the old Maxell "blown away" poster. It's an intense experience and one that is highly recommended.

   That being said, I learned that his system was not the direction for me because it actually was too stimulating to my central nervous system. I'm in my late 40's with a stressful career, kids etc... and the experience I'm looking for in music is to turn my left brain off and get lost in the music and his system didn't do that for me.

    I happened to hear a system with Mcintosh separates by complete chance. I sat down and ended up getting lost in the music and after 30 minutes the owner came up behind me and squeezed my trapezius muscles (neck/shoulder) to find they were both relaxed and my jaw was not clenched. I had absolutely zero interest in McIntosh as an audiophile of 20 years thinking it's mid fi overpriced snake oil based on forums (not direct experience).  At that moment I knew it was for me.

   Bottom line: You have to figure out your "Why". What do you want to get from your audio system? If your motivation is to release a day/week/month's worth of assault on your senses and get lost in the music, it's worth an hour or 2 of your time to go have a listen and judge for yourself. Don't be swayed by the McIntosh haters or the fan boys. For me, the Mc2700/MC312 combination just "does it". I don't think the source components (turntables/dacs/servers) are up to the standard of their preamps and amps but again let your ears decide. Figure out your motivation to listen to music/build a system. You may find your motivations line up more with Mike and he can help you achieve your goals. Or your goals may be more like Herb Brooks (USA Hockey gold medal coach 1980) where he wasn't looking for the best players(components). He was looking for the "right" ones.

David 

P.S.-It's not the blue meters. I listen with them off at all times

@schw06  best response so far. You're exactly right.  

@schw06 you articulated it best. I “feel” the same with my Mac gear in the few days I’ve had it. It calms my soul :)

@schw06

excellent post, many good points made

good reminder there are many experienced thoughtful members who usually stay silent, turned off by the pointless, garbage posts that seem to dominate the activity here these days...

in this case, very glad @schw06 chose to contribute his thoughts

+1 jjss49

Wise post and some few words saying the essentials...

Thanks ...

Or your goals may be more like Herb Brooks (USA Hockey gold medal coach 1980) where he wasn't looking for the best players(components). He was looking for the "right" ones.

 

@schw06 +1 for a very thoughtful post.

And I’ve said this many times on this thread, but I’ll say it once more: the main issue for me is not about McIntosh or Wilson or Magico or any specific brand. It was his presumption that he could divide those who like what they hear from those brands from "genuine" audiophiles. Remember, that was the point of bashing McIntosh -- to say that it has fooled people (e.g. with its reputation, blue lights, etc.) who don’t really know how to listen. The other brands fool people in other ways.

You cut through all that malarkey when you say,

the experience I’m looking for in music is to turn my left brain off and get lost in the music and his system didn’t do that for me.

And there we have it. There are *multiple* goals a music system can fulfill. And your goal -- and the goals of many others -- are fulfilled for you in a way which makes this youtubber’s system unsuitable. And it also proves his divisive dualism false. Q.E.D.

@schw06 You nailed it, your testimony is appreciated.

But I must add a caveat. As a small business owner myself (not the audio industry) My employees and I abide by the rule that to insult or belittle the competition or their products shows fear, intimidation, and/or resentment. I have heard more times over the last 20+ years from customers who visited another shop in town and were put off by the staff insulting my shop or my brands. So from where I sit, Mike is extremely unprofessional, and a few of the commenters on this thread confirm that. Maybe I just expect more ethics in a small business?

@schw06, nice post!

I'll be driving to pick up some gear from Mikey soon. I'm not looking forward to the many hours-long drive. To be only 10 minutes away would be convenient! 

I concur with everything you said about Mikey. I've gotten to know him very well over the last couple of months and am really looking forward to hearing his system!

Any time you have the opportunity to hear another system I think it's a great experience in relation to your own to help figure out what you might seek or confirmation of things you like about your own system.

There is no doubt that Mikey has already helped to make my existing system sound much better with his advice. The new gear will take my rig to another level in sonics and I'm very excited about that! I've spoken with a couple of long-standing dealers/manufacturers that have also confirmed that Mike Powell has an outstanding reputation in the industry. They also confirmed that the NAT gear I'll be putting in will be a dramatic improvement in my rig!

Maybe you should read the current thread about his cable company Verrastar. Some former customers don’t agree concerning his "outstanding reputation".

@schw06 You hit the nail on the head. Like you, I'm also in my late 40's and I can certainly relate to building a music system where the ultimate goal is to relax and destress after a long, often hectic, day. Perhaps, once I retire and have more time on my hands, my goals might change. But as of now, for me tube-based amplification is what brings me closer to my desired goal. This is what some dealers, including the subject of this thread, keep forgetting. Music lovers can achieve nirvana at any budget with any gear, as long as they know what they want and use a holistic approach when building a system. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 

Music lovers can achieve nirvana at any budget with any gear, as long as they know what they want and use a holistic approach when building a system.

Well said @arafiq 

Wise man indeed and with knowledge...

I will only add that this "holistic"  approach must put acoustic listening experiments at the front...

Thanks...

Music lovers can achieve nirvana at any budget with any gear, as long as they know what they want and use a holistic approach when building a system.

Is it true McIntosh no longer uses point to point wiring??

They haven’t used point to point wiring since the invention of the printed circuit board. 

@schw06 I think your post is spot on.  I also think 'awesome' is subjective and changes over time.

I've had McIntosh gear and while I have moved on to other brands it was because i was looking for something I found during auditioning for an upgrade. 

My McIntosh stuff sounded great, brought me hours (perhaps months, or years) of listening pleasure.  I get the same joy with my new gear and also visiting a friend who has a nice system.

I salute everyone who enjoys music and think there are many great manufacturers and DIY kits for every type of music fan, listener and audiophile.

They haven’t used point to point wiring since the invention of the printed circuit board. 

I have observed that in this hifi hobby so many peeps have really odd ideas of what good quality is in equipment.

@troidelover1499 ,99% of solid state gear regardless of price uses PCB.  FYI, not everyone embraces tubes.  What high quality equipment do you have?

"real audiophiles...know it doesn’t sound that good"...

Sounds like some people want to gatekeep what a "real audiophile" is when the term is based on sound preference. To push that exclusivity is pointless because all you have are a bunch of farts chasing what their own idea of "good sound" is while arguing a point that isn't really wrong or right. It is a stupid statement so I wouldn't even bother with entertaining the OCD guy's input because it is like saying what is the best guitar, car, recording console etc...

From observation, Macs appear overpriced to folks who can't afford it much of the time which I find baffling since that drives much of the vitriol against a brand that holds its value well AND sounds good.

However Macintosh does appeal to a certain demographic; my friends and I call it the Harley Davidson of hi fi.

Good luck having a Harley go without servicing as long as a Mac does. The comparison is one i've heard before but not accurate given the build and reliability of Macs.

I don’t get the McIntosh hate.... I can’t understand why people say McIntosh sounds flat, or like someone put a wet blanket over their speakers.

Some people have hearing that is less sensitive than they'd like to admit. Couple that with the subjective nature of sound quality - you've got a recipe for an argument topic that has NO end.

 I happened to hear a system with Mcintosh separates by complete chance. I sat down and ended up getting lost in the music and after 30 minutes the owner came up behind me and squeezed my trapezius muscles (neck/shoulder) to find they were both relaxed and my jaw was not clenched. 

You absolutely nailed the point of music. If I want to be blown away by an intense music experience, I'll go to a live show. If I want a purely analytical representation of music, I'll go the studio where I work and visit the mastering suite down the hall. Between sitting behind the console and sitting in on mastering sessions to check mixes, music being analytical to hear everything is not the point for me because I just want to relax with the music, not hear someone's hair grow through the speakers and celebrate that as a metric in audio quality.

@stereo5

I think that maybe I was unclear in the meaning of my comment earlier. I was actually talking about folks who have a problem with pcb’s in hifi gear, and think that point to point wiring is better.  That belief is silly, and I think those folks have never lived in the world of current day electronics and technology, where pcb’s are essential to world class manufacturing and mass production at scale with top flight quality control.

@troidelover1499,

My sincerest apologies and I agree 100% with you. 

Kind of a silly statement. Mac makes great hi-fi. BTW the guy who posted this on youtube might be smoking bad weed. It happens.