The Beat Goes On.......

[jdubbs]

I don't understand the radio silence either. On Dan's issue and the MVP881 firmware issue, there is no response for days, weeks, etc. There are all of two forums devoted to McIntosh out there — AA and AK — which amounts to a pretty direct pipeline from McIntosh to a big slice of its customers. Why not comment immediately when a legitimate problem arises? What purpose does it serve to let these things drag on and on, with all the griping and speculation that ensues, recorded forever for prospective customers to stumble upon?

Admittedly, there is a lot of garbage you have to filter out... I can't even look at that Made in China thread without my blood pressure spiking... but there must be a way to stay on top of actual product issues in a timely manner without getting dragged into all the crazy ramblings and ill-informed hysteria.

Sorry, this probably sounds like a criticism of Ron-C; it's not intended to be. I just wish there were a little more transparency when it comes to keeping people on this forum educated, in hopes that it cuts down on a lot of the misinformation that passes for news.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jerry.......I purchased my first MCD1100 April 11, 2011, and my second MCD1100 May 4, 2011. I have been waiting seven months for the firmware update that will allow the USB port to operate at 192KHz 24Bit as advertised when I made the purchases. What I have is a USB port that only operates at 44.1KHz 16Bit Redbook CD.

I have been patient, and continue to remain patient, but none the less I am not pleased with the delay or my inability to use my MCD1100 features as sold to me. In May we were told the USB firmware update would be available June/July 2011. Here we are 44 days away from the 2012 new year with nothing but pipe dreams for updates. Not only that, but not a word from McIntosh letting owners know what is actually going on. Sure, there's lots of hoopla about wine, cheese, and luxury, but I want to know McIntosh is putting the same level of commitment into software development to satisfy their obligations to existing customers. Why does everything have to be so secretive? Why are loyal customers always the last to know? Why, after seven months, does my USB port remain crippled at 44.1KHz 16Bit?

Dan, well said.

Ditto as well from C48 and C50 preamp owners.

McIntosh must be having a hell of a time sorting it all out. We might yet get a pre Christmas surprise Freak out time would be another 6 months wait (by then someone will start a class action case). No, think positive, all the other companies have achieved it, and just a matter of 'I need more time to solve it boss'.

Anthony

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jdubbs

I don't understand the radio silence either. On Dan's issue and the MVP881 firmware issue, there is no response for days, weeks, etc. There are all of two forums devoted to McIntosh out there — AA and AK — which amounts to a pretty direct pipeline from McIntosh to a big slice of its customers. Why not comment immediately when a legitimate problem arises? What purpose does it serve to let these things drag on and on, with all the griping and speculation that ensues, recorded forever for prospective customers to stumble upon?

Admittedly, there is a lot of garbage you have to filter out... I can't even look at that Made in China thread without my blood pressure spiking... but there must be a way to stay on top of actual product issues in a timely manner without getting dragged into all the crazy ramblings and ill-informed hysteria.

Sorry, this probably sounds like a criticism of Ron-C; it's not intended to be. I just wish there were a little more transparency when it comes to keeping people on this forum educated, in hopes that it cuts down on a lot of the misinformation that passes for news.

Jamie.......I couldn't agree with you more. That is all I have ever tried to get across to the good people that head up McIntosh.

As for the "Made In China" thread, it has irritated me from the beginning. Earlier today I actually thought of PMing Howie (howiebrou) and asking him if he would consider deleting the entire thread.

[djwhog]

+ 1 here too well said Dan

[jdubbs]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jamie.......I couldn't agree with you more. That is all I have ever tried to get across to the good people that head up McIntosh.

As for the "Made In China" thread, it has irritated me from the beginning. Earlier today I actually thought of PMing Howie (howiebrou) and asking him if he would consider deleting the entire thread.

And, BOOM, just like that... it's locked! (Amen, and good riddance.)

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jdubbs

And, BOOM, just like that... it's locked! (Amen, and good riddance.)

[bradleyc]

Originally Posted by jdubbs

Sorry, this probably sounds like a criticism of Ron-C; it's not intended to be. I just wish there were a little more transparency when it comes to keeping people on this forum educated, in hopes that it cuts down on a lot of the misinformation that passes for news.

Ron-C was here in town last Thursday doing a seminar. I told him how much we value his participation here at AA, and asked him to post more often

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jamie.......An excellent post.

+1 !

[mcintoshmagic]

Originally Posted by jdubbs

So why so much hate for this woman? Is it really so horrible that John Varvatos is selling a tabletop McIntosh system? The guy bought CBGB out of bankruptcy and preserved every flyer and piece of graffiti on the walls... anyone else would have plastered them over and made a generic white box. (If that doesn't give you audiophile cred, I don't know what would.) The website looks better, and has much better product photography, after a decade of neglect. The two new McIntosh Experience Centers have received glowing reviews. I have yet to see any print ads, but would it really matter if they showed up in Forbes or Architectural Digest in addition to Stereophile? I don't see how any of these things detract from how McIntosh products sound in your living room.

Unless a company is severely cash-strapped, spending a little money on marketing has zero impact on a product's quality, or whether it ships on time, or includes a proper manual, or gets a needed firmware update. I agree that McIntosh needs to work on these issues, but it's not fair to say that Linda Passaro or marketing in general is responsible for what are clearly product development failings.

I think because they went about this lifestyle initiative the wrong way. She recently compared their components to Gucci handbags. They have been positioning their products for the bling factor and as something the "beautiful" people buy. I've never seen a McIntosh ad in a non-audio magazine. Ever. Instead of advertising they threw parties for socialites as if it were going to go viral. They didn't even have the 50th anniversary MC275 hooked up... like it was just a conversation piece for those with more money than they know what to do with. It's the wrong message at the wrong time. The experience centers were the one good thing to come out of all this. It stands in stark contrast to everything else they've been doing lately.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by mcintoshmagic

I think because they went about this lifestyle initiative the wrong way. She recently compared their components to Gucci handbags. They have been positioning their products for the bling factor and as something the "beautiful" people buy. I've never seen a McIntosh ad in a non-audio magazine. Ever. Instead of advertising they threw parties for socialites as if it were going to go viral. They didn't even have the 50th anniversary MC275 hooked up... like it was just a conversation piece for those with more money than they know what to do with. It's the wrong message at the wrong time. The experience centers were the one good thing to come out of all this. It stands in stark contrast to everything else they've been doing lately.

I agree.
Marketing should be done by someone who not only likes music, but knows the products very well : an audiophile actually, with a Marketing education and experience. Someone unable to compare a Mc to a Gucci handbag !