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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
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,979 posts
 
05-16-13: Liquid-smooth
I do own Mc and I still feel that there are better options out there for the money these days...

I saw one of your recent threads, and you seem to think Adcom is one of those better choices. That's funny.
pops
2,273 posts
 
@Audioquest4life well said my friend, I agree totally. My answer to OP is audiophiles, most of which have an OCD issue, will always bash something that they do not own themselves or can't understand....it fuels their own insecurity of obsessiveness which leads back just like a circle to the OCD issue.

Then of course there are opinions and honest feedback, which is good and help many, that can tactfully be articulated since everyone likes what they like and that is why there are so many avenues with this hobby. Those are the ones that have helped me over the years. Cheers!
edgy
2 posts
 
I have also been around audio all my life. I have owned and still do own many different systems , Audio research, krelll , Mark levinsons ,and I have several Mac amps and I love them . I think the reason why they get a lot of resentment from some so called audiophiles is because they don't cater to the snake oil nut jobs , and they are still successful . These so called audiophiles complained about their tone controls, auto transformers, speaker terminals , but Mac disregarded their nonsense and still is a formidable company . While I still do prefer my tube Audio research amps , i will never get rid of my reliable , fantastic sounding Mac amps
bongofury
1,160 posts
 
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.
wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 
The description of selling Mac stuff to doctors and lawyers back in the day seems perfect...note again that with every manufacturer (of nearly anything) that's been around that long there's great stuff, and some not so great stuff, and so what? I dig their tube amps and they've received rave reviews recently, so I'm confidant the doctors and lawyers are hearing something sweet.
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