Why do some audiophiles beat up McIntosh?


I've been around audio my entire life. I'm 45 and I bought a decent Technics system when I was 12 with my paper route money. Genesis speakers built in New England which were actually pretty darned good. I would spin vinyl every single day to the point it drive my parents crazy. My buddies father had a McIntosh system that I was in love with and he was allowed to play it. It was haunting for me to hear his fathers system.

Fast forward 28 years later and I'm perplexed at the hatred I see posted online about McIntosh. Is it really that bad or is everyone upset that McIntosh is so successful? It doesn't make sense to me that the resale value is the best in the business yet audiophiles bash them. I personally have always loved their gear and sound. I don't own any, and probably never will. Still, I just don't get it. I've always admired McIntosh. Looks aside, I always enjoyed the music. Can someone tell me that they're junk or do you just not like the presentation?
donjr

Showing 2 responses by bongofury

Don Jr.

I have been in the pro music space for 30 years. I work with the best of best in terms of bands. These people have discerning ears. I frequently see McIntosh equipment at their homes.

My father was a noted music cat and he owned both a McIntosh 275 and a JBL Paragon. Both provided him four decades of pleasure.

Most audiophile gear maintains less than 50% of its purchase price. Few are classics. I can tell you that there is a cadre of fans who look for classic pieces, such as the 1950/60s Thorens, 1970s Marantz receivers, JBL and Yamaha pro gear, mostly in Europe and Japan, where these products did not have distribution. The only label that actually sells near retail is McIntosh. Not Conrad-J, not Pass, not AR.

I listen to professional grade rigs all the time. I find it funny that many consumer grade products exclaim that they are "reference."

I hope that you someday can afford McIntosh. Musical to degree that few consumer brands are. Nice selection of entry points. Well thought out electronics that will power most speakers.
I just saw their demo environment at the SHOW. Very little press post show, but I loved the new D100 pre-amp married to their classic 275 tube amp. They had small studio monitors ($4 grand). Really amazingly musical setup at about 12 grand.