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Seeking Honest Opinions: Your Experience with McIntosh Audio Gear

I'm reaching out to this knowledgeable community to gather some honest feedback and personal experiences regarding McIntosh audio equipment. As many of you know, McIntosh has a storied reputation in the high-end audio world, known for their distinctive blue meters, impeccable build quality, and, of course, their sonic performance.

Whether you've had McIntosh gear in your setup for years or had the chance to experience it in some capacity, I'm curious to hear about your encounters. Specifically, I'm interested in:

  1. Sound Quality: How would you describe the sound signature of McIntosh gear? Do you find it warm, neutral, or something else entirely?
  2. Build Quality and Design: McIntosh is renowned for its craftsmanship. Has their build quality lived up to your expectations?
  3. Value for Money: Considering the premium investment McIntosh demands, do you believe the performance and satisfaction derived justify the price?
  4. Customer Service and Support: Have you had any experiences dealing with McIntosh's customer service? If so, how would you rate their support?
  5. Overall Experience: Would you recommend McIntosh to fellow audio enthusiasts? Why or why not?

Your candid opinions and personal stories will be invaluable, especially for those considering making a significant investment in their audio setup. McIntosh has a dedicated following, but every listener's ears and preferences are unique. Let's shed some light on the real-world experiences behind the brand's prestige.

Looking forward to your insights and honest opinions!

128x128uavnola

Showing 1 response by jerryrocks

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jerryrocks
62 posts
 

Having owned Mac equipment for most of the past 25 years, I would like to add my thoughts.

SQ - suits my ear, more the tubes than the solid state. I have made money on all of the Mac gear I have sold over the years, except for the speakers. My main regret is selling my MC225 and MX110. Two premier pieces of gear.

BQ - I currently own the MC275, C2300 and MCD500. The MC275 and MCD500 were recently serviced by George Meyer Audio. Expensive but worth it. They are both operating at levels not seen since new. Takeaway is some service will be required over time. Do it.

Value - as stated, I have made money on every piece except for the speakers. The tweeter bank sounded like it would present a mini wall of sound. It did not.

Customer Service - never used.

Overall Experience - personal preferences are front and center. Balance with other components is key. These two aspects are well covered above. For me, VPI Aries 3 table for vinyl and Cambridge Audio streamer work great. Magico A5’s with B&W DB3D’s are amazing. Interconnects from Blue Jeans Cable are awesome. I believe these components are best for me, evidenced by the relative longevity in my setup. Love Mac gear and the way it sounds in my system.

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