McIntosh power amps are some of the best-designed, engineered and constructed amps in history! They are so good that they powered the Grateful Dead's revered Wall of Sound concert rig!
An Audio Amateur's question about McIntosh Audio
I casually follow and read many of the mainstream audio gear magazines and YouTube reviewers. Most of them will publish annual lists of their top or favorite devices of the year, decade etc., and through them I am able to learn about high-end distinguished brands and their products.
On the other hand I have also noted from discussions among other audiophiles that equipment from McIntosh is of very high quality.
What I have noticed, however, is that I don't see any of the magazines or professional/semi-pro reviewers include a McIntosh product in their top recommended lists.
Why does this dichotomy exist? If McIntosh is so good why don't their products make it into top XYZ lsts?
I am a newbie and I might be missing something obvious. But I'd appreciate some education here.
Thanks,
Amit
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amitb! I bought a McIntosh MC240 amp and C11 preamp in 1965. The MC240 is still in use today driving a pair of Vandersteen 3A's. The C11 was replaced by an Apt preamp several years ago because the Apt had more functionality for transferring my vintage vinyl collection from a vintage Thorens TD160 to a Revox A77 RtoR. In 1965, the MC240 cost $288. For many years the McIntosh reps would visit the McIntosh dealer in my area and scope units, retube and produce a performance printout at no charge. Great customer relations! I have no experience with today's McIntosh gear so I'm not one judge. I'm a vintage (analog) guy and still love the sound of the old MC240!
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McIntosh clearly has a storied history and a devoted following. As others have said, it has a soft voicing that some find pleasing while others find veiled and too dark-strictly a matter of taste. I think the brand suffers a bit from being owned by so many different corporate masters over the years-now Bose. But it really comes down to whether the very distinctive voicing coincides with your preference. Which can be said for a lot of brands. |
@amitb - in high end audio, we are chasing better sound within our budgets. There are many brands/models both past and present. Each Brand and model have different sonic signatures, evidenced by demoing in person. As such, we each have unique sonic preferences within our budgets. Many/most of us are familiar with the Mac sound, but there are many other brand/models we subjectively favor more. To really understand, you must listen for yourself to hear differences, mere words are inadequate. |
@stereo5 wrote "@ghdprentice i could say the same about your beloved ARC." You could, but it wouldn't be true. For my money, if I didn't own BAT, I'd have ARC amps and preamp, |
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