Mcintosh amplifiers and preamps

Graduated HS as Honors student in1975 and the couple who owned the store I worked at gave me a Mac MA5100 for my graduation playing thru Bose 301s. Over the next few years I changed to Rogers LS speakers and Philips TT. Loved that amp and sound. Dated a girl whose dad used a complete Mac system, alternating between a MC275 and 2150. Loved that even more. When I decided to go to grad school sold all the gear along with my guitars. When I grad I had limited money so I moved to Ohm, SAE and Technics and over the 25 years after various other brands including, CJ, ATI, Yamaha, Acurus, Blue Circle..most sounded good but didnt always last. About 10 years ago, I stumbled over some some gear, MA5100, MC250, Ohm Walsh and sent it all to be refurbed. Use it all to this day happily. WIth updates including some newer caps and transistors both amps sound very nice, a little warm but with detail, much improved resolution and more power than each claims. I have other gear from various manufacturers running in systems and swapped in and out but I always enjoy my Mac. Not the most resolving but sounds real. I used different preamps at different times and some were real eye openers especially CJ tubes. None Mac. THat may be the last thing I get to finish things off...although I do still think about how good that MC275 sounded AND how hot it ran. I can sell the Mac pieces and break even maybe even make a few bucks which i cant say about most of the other gear. Doesnt matter but it does say something about the products quality and durability and brand value. I have listened to some modern Mac and liked some pieces but not the prices as a retiree. I still do wonder about their MC352 and 252 hybrids but never heard them. The fact of remotes being included is attractive with a bad back. I think Mac is not for everyone, no brand is. It is all individual. I have heard Krell and Bryston and didnt get it. Same for Hegel which sounded dark to me. Listen to it and if you like the sound and price and aesthetics that is what matters for you. ALL audio is personal. Just like cars, houses, jewelry, music etc.

@joekapahulu

nice post! and well said

i attended damien high in honolulu wayyyy back 🤙

many ways to find happiness in this pursuit of ours, key is to try different things, determine (and be honest with yourself about) what you like, don’t let others’ opinions color your sense of what is good

McIntosh has an attractive meter display, holds its resale value, easy to sell if a user no longer wants them. In a world of high end audio, no one builds a hifi system around McIntosh.

In 1972 my wife and I bought a Mac 2105 power amp.  It has never been repaired or  refurbished.  It is still playing in my son's basement party room.  For half a century it has played music every time it is turned on.  I imagine it is in great need of recapping, but despite that it has been reliable as an anvil.  I don't think many brands could equal that.