Why McIntosh

[onehole150]

Background; I started with Head Phones, 5 years ago. I got to the place where I really enjoy them. A good friend said I needed to get an audio system for a different perspective. He and I don’t agree on some aspects this audio quest. I will not do vinyl, not important why. The last few years I went with average speaks and what I thought was good IA’s. Started with PrimaLuna, then switched to Luxman and now have a Moon Neo 340ix (IA) my speaks are Focal 1028BE. I use Tidal HiFi as I listen music I like (my own play list) not a complete album.

Question – What am I missing not trying McIntosh? At this point I prefer an Int. amp. I didn’t like the PrimaLuna, 12 plus tubes that generated a bunch of heat and the sound wasn’t what I thought it should be. I like detail, accuracy, mids and highs with bass that’s there but not what stands out or booming. Music is female singers, elec guitar, smooth jazz, old rock and roll, Motown and Philly stuff, and some new country. Right now my favorite track to listen too is Wild Horses (rolling stones). John Mayer and Vince Gill are better than most as well. My listening room is small with sound treatments. At this point I think I have a good sound (as compared to a lot of stuff at 2 shows I've been too). But The last few days I've been wondering if I'm missing something as this site seems to be way more McIntosh friendly than other sites I've been too. Thanks in advance.

[Pampero]

The core values of Mc gear, especially as related to amplifiers and preamplifiers are as follows, although not listed in any particular order:

*High retained (resale) value
*Consistency in a design philosophy developed and refined over 60 years
*Excellent audio quality, especially for the quad balanced products
*Classic good looks (tastes vary of course and MC tends a bit towards the baroque for some, but in a great way to my thinking).
*Exceptionally high feature content.
*Amplifiers are well protected electronically and that protection extends outwards to the loudspeakers.
*Responsive customer service

As mentioned, I'm of the opinion that MC is hard to top for value when it comes to amplification/preamps. I think if you look t them for the system's core electronics and play the field in a few other areas, it is very hard to go wrong.

As for why other sites (people) tend to downplay the line, that's I think largely a matter of
either lack of familiarity or a certain view that Mc is a stodgy outfit. You know...old fashioned . I rather think they're realistically conservative, and with amplifiers that's an excellent thing. You simply can't go wrong with their new high end stuff.

What you miss when they are dismissed out of hand? One of audio's great legacy companies that provides true and lasting build quality and value for money. Like many, I was late in adopting McIntosh gear. I thought the stuff was boring. Now that I have, I have no regrets. The stuff works and works and works, sounds great, looks great and includes so many useful features that other lines (wrongly) poo-poo. Connectivity, (multiple inputs and outputs) is a strong point as well. It's not a product line that takes courage to buy. Unlike many companies., McIntosh offers not just a safe choice, but also a very sensible one in respect to their core offerings. I suppose some people have problems with that. I don't.

[JMAC]

Originally Posted by Pampero

The core values of Mc gear, especially as related to amplifiers and preamplifiers are as follows, although not listed in any particular order:

*High retained (resale) value
*Consistency in a design philosophy developed and refined over 60 years
*Excellent audio quality, especially for the quad balanced products
*Classic good looks (tastes vary of course and MC tends a bit towards the baroque for some, but in a great way to my thinking).
*Exceptionally high feature content.
*Amplifiers are well protected electronically and that protection extends outwards to the loudspeakers.
*Responsive customer service

As mentioned, I'm of the opinion that MC is hard to top for value when it comes to amplification/preamps. I think if you look t them for the system's core electronics and play the field in a few other areas, it is very hard to go wrong.

As for why other sites (people) tend to downplay the line, that's I think largely a matter of
either lack of familiarity or a certain view that Mc is a stodgy outfit. You know...old fashioned . I rather think they're realistically conservative, and with amplifiers that's an excellent thing. You simply can't go wrong with their new high end stuff.

What you miss when they are dismissed out of hand? One of audio's great legacy companies that provides true and lasting build quality and value for money. Like many, I was late in adopting McIntosh gear. I thought the stuff was boring. Now that I have, I have no regrets. The stuff works and works and works, sounds great, looks great and includes so many useful features that other lines (wrongly) poo-poo. Connectivity, (multiple inputs and outputs) is a strong point as well. It's not a product line that takes courage to buy. Unlike many companies., McIntosh offers not just a safe choice, but also a very sensible one in respect to their core offerings. I suppose some people have problems with that. I don't.

For what it's worth, I agree with Lew and well said.

Again, for what it's worth considering the source..., I know nothing first-hand about your IA or speakers beyond what anyone might infer by looking them up as I just did, but it's my guess (and I'm using the time-honored WAG method here..) that you might have to spend multiples of what you have spent for a significantly different/better sound. This assumes that your treated room is well-treated and the speakers are optimally placed. For a standard for 'significantly' - I'm using the likely opinion of the average non-audiophile and by that measure, you probably have good value. I mention that because of the nature of your post and because IAs are a practical choice...

John

> > EDIT: I was typing this before Dan's post and, again, for what it's worth, I agree with him also. ... Lots of emojis today...

[Mikado463]

Gary, I think Lew summed it up ....... Mac gear for sure has a 'cult' following.

[jdandy]

Gary.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

Lew hit the high points. I have been a McIntosh aficionado and owner of more McIntosh gear than I can remember since my first MC30 mono tube amps I bought in 1968. McIntosh amplifiers and preamplifiers are serious performers that deliver faithful musical reproduction. Until you have had the opportunity to hear a McIntosh preamp and amplifier in your own system you may not fully understand what the allure is, but once you have you will become a McIntosh owner and quite possible a McIntosh aficionado for life. You have to be careful, though. McIntosh can grow on you. That's what happened to me. I now have three McIntosh systems in my home.

[Pampero]

Sorry, I forgot to add my welcome, Gary. So welcome! I should add (John said it first) that the integrated amps in their line all adhere to the same design, build and sonic attributes although it should be noted that the 5200 doesn't use autoformers which is one of the features that is a McIntosh signature item. Stepping up to the MA6600 will get you those and an extra 3dB of power.

[Randy Myers]

McIntosh is very good equipment. I grew up right next to the factory in Binghamton and have seen, used, owned various Mc pieces over the years.

Keep a couple things in mind. They are not the McIntosh of old... I guess you could say that is good or bad ...

Also realize you are asking that question in a McIntosh forum on a mainly McIntosh board ...

They are also very big, kind of expensive, and very heavy.... they have also had more than a few problems with firmware updates... their customer service has came into question several times recently... https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=39057

Being from Binghamton I require one piece of Mc gear in my system... probably no more...

There are also many companies that sell better sounding equipment, as well made, for quite a bit less money. Honestly, it has pretty much always been that way.

They do have a very loyal following, especially in this forum ....

Oh, and welcome aboard ...

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

There are also many companies that sell better sounding equipment, as well made, for quite a bit less money.

name 3 .........

[GeAllan70]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

name 3 .........

[Randy Myers]

Originally Posted by Mikado463

name 3 .........

Not here to fight or debate, etc. I did not say anything "bad" about McIntosh. I made some fair honest statements, certainly no reason to get your feathers ruffled.

I sold McIntosh for quite some time along with owning several pieces. They are always very good equipment, but there are many pieces that sound better.

People buy McIntosh because it is McIntosh, not because it is the absolutely best sounding equipment.

It's great equipment... period, chill.