An Audio Amateur's question about McIntosh Audio

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!

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,

Thanks everyone! I did learn a fair bit.

-amit