McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

Hello!

Could not resist getting into this discussion. I was hired by MAC in 1968 to come and design tuners. MR77, MR78 and part of MR74 are mine. My current audio system is all MAC using all-tube circuitry. System finished in 1988, after I had left MAC in 1974 to do speakers.

(1) 2-box 8 tube preamp borrowing from Marantz 7 and MAC C22.

(2) 50WPC triode power amp with MAC output transformers

(3) Yes, a TUBE MR78!

(4) Usual turntable and CD player.

(5) Joseph Pearl loudspeakers

I do not judge audiophile hobby to deeply. Life is short and no time to indulge in uninformed opinions and trash talk. There is enough good stuff from others than MAC to satisfy any well-informed listener. Please check my article published in December 2021 issue of Audioxpress for more ideas regarding good sound.

My reference for sound are two seats for wife and myself at the Symphony. There is no argument for best sound, real live music, which cannot be duplicated by any audio system.

jjss49,

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Of the multiple systems in my home, two are currently comprised predominantly or exclusively of McIntosh components. I love the Mac stuff for what it is and what it does! In my office I have a C 2300 preamplifier driving a 275 Mark six amplifier. The sound is lovely with several pair of speakers that I have on hand. At first I did not like the green LEDs on the tubes, but they have grown on me.  In my  finished basement, I have a 452 amplifier with a C 50 preamplifier.  I also have the 550 SACD/CD player in that system as well. Another system in the basement features a BHK 250 amplifier with an audia flight preamplifier and esoteric SA50 disc player. Available speakers are KEF Blade twos and Paradigm signature S6V3. I would not characterize the BHK or 452 as better or worse. Both provide outstanding results, but they are different. The BHK is more delicate/subtle. There may be a larger window into subtle details. Both amplifiers do a phenomenal job and I enjoy them both immensely.

my belief is that Macintosh makes outstanding equipment. At one time I considered it to be expensive and overpriced, but no longer. There are so many brands which cost many times what Macintosh is charging these days. After going to their factory tour I understand the cost involved in producing their equipment and providing the excellent service that they are known for. Is McIntosh the be-all/end-all? Probably not but they produce wonderful gear at a fair price. I have owned many brands and would put Mac up there with the best of them.

I started out with Mac solid state gear in the late 70's (2205 amp and C28 pre).  It was fine for it's time and there wasn't as many choices as today.  Used if for 20 years and sold it for what I paid for it.  I haven't listened to any of the current offerings and moved in another direction after my Mac gear.