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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 paladin

paladin's avatar
paladin
227 posts
 
IMHO - McIntosh is merely a highly recognized brand due to branding & not sound - Same as Rolex is in watches.
People recognize a Rolex - but certainly not in the top ten of watchmaking.
I have been into audio for more than 50 years & have never had a single piece of Mac equipment in any of my systems.
As a watch dealer - I do on occasion deal with Rolex as you have to give the people what they want.
I honestly believe that both McIntosh & Rolex are overpriced for what you are getting, but they both hold their value on the pre-owned market.
paladin's avatar
paladin
227 posts
 
Hi Roxy54,
To answer your question:
I used to sell a ton of equipment for a friend who owned a audio salon back in the '70's & '80's.
Most of the doctors & lawyers that I dealt with would choose McIntosh equipment (amp/s, pre & tuner) either a Thorens or a Garrard TT, a Tandberg cass or RTR & B&W speakers.
I would get them package quotes, deliver & install @ their homes & then explain in detail how everything worked (usually for 2 hours or so).
Then I would go home & wait for the phone to ring.
Hi Richard - This is Dr. so & so - My wife just came home & I wanted to show her our new stereo system - CAN YOU TELL ME HOW TO TURN IT ON?
FWIW - I made a small fortune back then on the percentage I would receive on discount, the sales tax, delivery & installation.
So to sum it up:
I have heard many McIntosh systems in my lifetime & they really do sound pretty good, but not as good as 95% of the systems that I have had or put together in the past 50 years.
In retrospect:
I think that back then McIntosh was a rich kids toy & highly advertized, so the rich kids that read New Yorker, The New York Times & The Wall Street Journal thought that McIntosh was the best & went for it as only they could afford it - usually sight unseen.
As I stated in my first post: This IS IN MY HUMBLE OPINION & I did not mean to offend anyone!
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