Before I bought my MA6600, I had a Rogue Cronus Magnum integrated, a Classe’ CAP150 integrated and a Parasound Halo integrated. The MA6600 is 100% better sounding than any of the other 3 integrated amps I had previously. I bought mine used from Audio Classics at $3200. I see one sold recently for $5400. I lost money on the other 3 integrateds I had previously. The MA6600 is a keeper. I forgot I also had a Yaquin integrated, but that caught fire within a few days of ownership and it was purchased brand new. Threw it in the trash.
McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer
More unvarnished truth from YouTube.
"real audiophiles...know it doesn't sound that good"
https://youtu.be/sMUQqAagKm0?t=181
Real audiophiles -- be aware. You've been read the Riot Act.
Discuss.
525 responses Add your response
Yeah, also I had the CAP150 and Halo. More than ok amps, for sure. What I’m starting to really understand, after years, is that taste in audio varies to a degree that makes it more or less worthless to argue about what equipment sounds good, or not. It’s like arguing about if an amp looks good or not. It’s all about preferences. Some people actually like a sound that I find bland or even right out bad. It’s still Hard for me to understand, but it seems to be real. |
Everyone has the right to their own opinion, however I am happy with my McIntosh MA6700. It holds its resale value. ‘It’s built like a tank It pairs well with my B&W 805 D3’s It looks good in my system I understand there are better values out there, but I wouldn’t trade it in for any of them. Just my opinion. |
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Little man, Little man, swat SPLAT! I've farted better men than you. I don't sell equipment I give it away. Especially if I like someone. Your OFF my Christmas list, coal in your stocking and a extra stocking for that nasty LITTLE mouth of your. As for your obsession with MY orifice, I'll pass. Please pay attention to your own orifice, you smelly LITTLE thing. Swat Splat! Orifice BOY!! Sphincter say what? ROMP! A twin brother! A man's gear "MCINTOSH". The only thing you should be ashamed of is if you don't own Mcintosh. At least there is a fix for that.. I'm a Sansui, Marantz and Western Electric amp fan too. Own them all less the WEs I sold. |
I've enjoyed an MC452 for several years now and find that it pairs very well with my speakers. With a new home build, I had the electrician install a dedicated AC line and run CAT6 to my new listening room. Since all of my equipment is plugged in to a PS Audio P15 power regenerator, I'm not sure how much benefit the dedicated AC line provides, but since it was relatively easy with a new home build, I thought "why not", just in case it makes a difference. |
without a doubt, but it isn’t just ALL about business... it’s also about envy, jealousy, misplaced need for self gratification thru lame ego-boosting, make self feel better by tearing others down internet forums like this are ’potshot heaven’ for all sorts of sad characters
i have been reminded/corrected... meant jeff rowland, not levinson... |
Thanks @ejr1953 I don’t have the option to do that but my home is relatively newish (15 years) so hopefully the existing wiring is adequate for this beast. |
All McIntosh gear in built in the US w/integrity to last a long time. How many amps built in the 60’s are still out there & running well? Very few other brands foreign or domestic. While maybe not every model they’ve ever produced sounds great, many do & not at crazy priced compared to many of the big name high end stuff. They all measure better than their specs which many expensive amps cannot boast if you’re into that. 450+ real solid state watts per side that sound very good for $9000 or 75+ Excellent sounding tube watts for $6000 both represent very solid values. Plus, you know in 10 or15 years, they’re both still going to be working like new. Great American company that deserves its success. |
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@bugsnest Nice amp, two guys to carry it out to car…. Good on ya man :-) jim |
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I’m running a McIntosh C2300 (tube pre) into an MC152 amp. I love my bourgeois suburban rig Summary - Mac gear got me to the place where the recording itself becomes the subject of research (rather than worrying about gear) - so easy to hear the differences now. Seems like decent marker in judging quality of one’s rig (Sources are Roon/Tidal into a Benchmark Dac3 HDC (wow), or a Clearaudio table (good, will upgrade cartridge & see what happens). Speakers are Harbeth SHL5+ (see below). Kimber “Ascent Series” for cabling (their second tier from bottom)) Omnivorous musical taste I’ve had a few iterations of McIntosh pre/amp combos. Changes have come as I was able to save and upgrade - but never felt the need to move away from McIntosh, and believe in “voicing” - pre & amp from same company. Current combo feels like it will be in place for a long time Always 2nd-hand from AudioClassics. Mac seem built like tanks. From reliable dealer, stuff lasts forever (personal experience) Haven’t been interested in Mac tables, or DACs; (I think) those use designs from others & so no particular benefit from using Mac (Separately, the Harbeth were great choice for me, and have always been pleasantly surprised with the depth, quality and musicality of the base (its other qualities well-covered). Won’t compare them to big towers or adding a couple of subs, but never been tempted to add subs. The Harbeth are just…great sounding…that’s an audiophile term, right?) Anyway, one from the peanut gallery of longtime Mac owners….
(btw, I find OCD Mikey @mikepowellaudio entertaining, and some of what he does very interesting- he did a bunch of videos on active crossover networks & manner in which he built & dialed in his, and they are excellent) |
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I like Mac gear, as they offer the owners happiness, and this is what this audio thing is all about. When I sold my 2105, I had it tested by a technician ( I now use another tech ), and it met every electrical parameter, as it was worth the bench cost to me, for the money I got for it. It was in great shape, with the walnut cabinet. The only mod I did, I had replaced the power cord with a 12 gauge cord, which did give it more beef. Those who like this sound, great ! Resale value ? Nothing better out there. As far as Mikey and Jay, I have my opinions about each of them, and refuse to discuss it. Just enjoy your purchases.....for sound, for looks....whatever ! If you care about the " sound " of your system, and spend money to better it ( very personal ), you ARE an audiophile. If you are a music " listener ", even better ! Always, MrD. |
Mike Powell is a stand up guy and a Straight shooter.He tells it like it is and that may upset some people but I appreciate it because the audio business it’s filled with many disingenuous people. Mike’s products are the real deal I have had many different types of power cables and interconnects Non sound as good as verastarr.Mike talked me out of a $6000 purchase which would have been an impulse buy who does that.The man has integrity that’s worth a lot in my book.I’ve seen some posts hurling personal attacks which is something that does not belong on forums.Everyone has a right to their opinion but we should remember to be civil to each other. I’ve been an audiophile over fourth years I’ve heard mikes system the man knows what He’s doing. |
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Unlike Stereo5, I'd prefer that moderators not close threads using their judgment about whether it is "constructive" or not. Because that same kind of capricious censorship could shut off individual comments which are not constructive, such as Stereo5's, which -- while not constructive -- does not violate any of the rules of the forum. |
@gilbertogon, nice post. I agree with you about Mike’s integrity and honesty. I spoke with a dealer who is located in Indiana on Sunday and he told me that he’s known Mike for a long time and has a lot of respect for him. He also said that I’m getting a great deal from Mike on the new to me NAT Audio gear and that it’s killer! He said he’d purchase the monoblocks again if given the chance. I hadn’t been able to comment on Mikey’s opinion of McIntosh before because I had no experience with the brand. That changed on Saturday. I went over to another audiophile home, who I kid you not, lives on McIntosh street! In his setup, he has a Marantz turntable with an Audio Technica cartridge, a 60’s McIntosh 225 tube amp, a vintage McIntosh SS preamp, a vintage McIntosh tuner, and vintage Klipsch Heresy speakers. The system sounded nice. I’ll be looking forward to hearing it again soon. He wants me to help him dial in his turntable, which I am happy to do. His tuner is absolutely gorgeous!
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I think it is kinda funny. As I am reading through all these painful posts that now this Mike Powell character has burned his bridges here with nasty postings under his own name, he has activated his Ukranian sleeper cells to try to clean some of the caked dirt off. This is just wacko! Hilarious when someone with his first post here magically appears to go on and on about what a wonderful experience he has had. |
laoman77 postsTotally agree Vuch and Tsushima. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Where's D'Artagnan? 60’s McIntosh 225 tube amp 21K for this set 7 weeks ago. MX110z, MC225, MC240, MC275. This is the the picture I used. He is in Mexico City, BIG Mac guy. They ALL are untouched. One set of power valves and 2 12AX7s Telefunken were replaced. He knew NOT to replace the caps in the 225 and replace ALL the caps in the 240. 275 there are a few bumblebees. He'll spend another 5K to do it correctly. That MC225 is almost perfect. I have another one the power cord end was cut off in 1970 and placed in a box. The guy bought it played it for 20 days, died and his wife cut the end off so the kids wouldn't plug it in. It was 20 days old when I got it 20 years later. She went to heaven. Kids found the box.. Gave me the 225 and 500.00 for fixing a tractor. I was happy. I just broke that one in. I found the box in my stuff. Mac is fun. :-) 24K cases for MC60. I got to get that done. Who does stuff like that? MAC people.. Better than a gold plated toilet. AY? Regards |
This is pretty sad. For months MP was posting these deliriously positive videos about AGD gear. Now that he's lost the dealership, he's got a new vid out pushing Jeff Rowland and decrying the AGD, which he raved about to me on the phone just several weeks ago. Is this what a "fair weather friend" is? |
@oldhvymec "...who does that..." People for whom the most important factor in their audio experience is the visual, obviously. |
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Thankyou acresverde, I’ll take it as a complement. I have a pair. They are so well done they have a high jewelers rating on the finish.. I like um.. MC240s how many people can say they have heard a tricked out MC240. If Samra would come out of the underground I'd send him a pair just to have around. I haven't ever heard anything like them with small planars or ribbons. It's the weird transformer thing they do with 6L6s and they way he (Mike) re-voices them. They are great stock. The problem is the yellow cap crowd screw the sound up. PIO only.. No polly pukes they kill the sound.. Time to feed the chickens.. |
LOL, This is fully entertaining the AG forums are now " THE HENHOUSE".... allow the Rooster to respond. OP, why dont you join me in a Zoom chat we record to discuss what you think you know ... ?? Ill post in on YT ..... Ill be polite and you can ask me questions and get answers because you are currently assuming a lot as if you know what you are talking about. For instance you thinking Im saying some gear is for looks some is for sonics , black and white. NOT. What I said is to help people decide how to make decisions on what to buy and one of them is what percent out of 100, is the percentage you give to your gear. By the looks of your gear/ amps especially Id say you give about 30% importance to looks and that comes from your speakers. GOOD ! you value sound more than look.. Proud of you .... @Stereo51, you are a Mac fanboy. your number of posts and time here when averaged out means for 14 years you have posted EVERY SINGLE DAY. You are FAR from my client base, I see your rig. I have nothing against you or what you choose to listen to. but you have zero ground to stand on throwing rocks at me for not liking your favorite brand in my home. I think its a cool brand, because it looks like OLD gear. In the 60s it was the shit.. you had the biggest balls back then. Were happy for you . @Oldhvymec for a guy that may could fix a D5, im surprised. Usually guys like you are cooler than to talk smack about a guy with an opinion. the number of posts in 4 years when averaged out means 4 separate replies per day. Not only are you also a total Mac Fanboy but you Quadrupled the online action of Stereo 51 ! I get that you dig big dirty equipment, so that Mac pic from Mexico says it all. Love the unfinished speaker on the left.. Nuff said... we should be talking Harleys not pissing on other dudes in audio forums... @borat-sagdiyev, Kak Dela ? you are not smelling my Zhopa, it is your own Rasputin breath blowing to your face. @twoleftears you are a liar.... outright and bold faced. I never sang praises of AGD 2 weeks ago to you. AGD decided to sell around me and go direct mid December 2021 without letting me the dealer know. I found out because a potential customer bought direct. I have not represented the brand since then. The Vivace and Audion monoblocks are phenomenal amps, just like Ive always said. The Tempo amps were a failure at sounding like the bigger amps. They were softer. Jeff Rowland 125 at $2K less floored thier ass in value. After I posted that vid I allowed the 2 buyers I had to send thier amps in for full credit towards Rowland. LOL. You know what I think of you ... @femore12 this is NOT where guys "with money to buy expensive equipment" come for discussion....
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