An Audio Amateur's question about McIntosh Audio

I have owned a few pieces of McIntosh gear and they were super reliable and sounded pretty good.   

My Dad has a MA8950 and it is an excellent amp.  I'm more in the low power tube camp but that is an amp I wouldn't mind owning at all.   Sounds great , can drive any speaker ,   runs cool especially for a 200 watt amp.  

A buddy of mine's Dad gave him a C26 preamp.   I took it home, cleaned it up, re-lamped it cleaned all switches and controls.  Plugged it in and it sounded pretty good.  It had been recapped a few years ago.   Amazing something of that era still works and sounds good.   Can't really say that about most gear.   Most companies from that period in time are long gone.  

@amitb 

Um, you could click on a publications search function and type something like um, McIntosh and click search. There are countless others that pre-date these in just these two publications. You should also consider that most introductions to McIntosh's product line have a very long marketable life and they can't make the headlines every year. It's a very vast a competitive market and journals stay alive by staying abreast of what's new.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mcintosh-ds200-streaming-da-processor

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mcintosh-laboratory-mc462-power-amplifier

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/mcintosh-ds200-streaming-dac-review/

https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/mcintosh-msa5500-streaming-integrated-amplifier-review/

@stereo5 @ghdprentice 

Regarding McIntosh synergy, I personally experienced very poor sound from an all McIntosh system driving high end and reported very neutral, Sonus Faber speakers.  

> As ghprentice stated, they were 'throaty', and I will add decidedly vailed.

I was the only customer in the room and could sit/stand in every location.  My disappointment was both surprising and profound (especially considering the cost of the McIntosh mono amps, preamp, etc.).

The sound was so poor that it now makes me wonder if McIntosh fans spend much time listening to very well-regarded brands.

@amitb, McIntosh’s popularity among both lovers of music, and those who buy the brand solely as a statement piece are what drive the slanted negative “McIntosh sound” comments.  A friend was a high end design/installer for Best Buy, and he told me of several installs he did of McIntosh gear, where clients purchased McIntosh solely because of the visual impact and status appeal.  He showed me a pic of an install where the customer bought extra McIntosh gear that was never connected in the audio chain, just so he had a full stack of those blue meters on each side of his home theater screen.  Yes, mono amps plugged in but not connected just for the looks.  Another customer had $75k of McIntosh gear installed at a lake house that was almost exclusively used by his wife, who would never turn it on.  It’s those kinds of examples that lead to anti-McIntosh comments above regarding this McIntosh sound, when those comments are really based on “audiophile” snobbery.  You see, McIntosh’s success and brand recognition are also its handicap in the “audiophile” community.  People don’t want to align themselves with those who buy the same brand as a status symbol.  

@5farms 

In my case, my 'anti-McIntosh comments' (your words) are exclusively based on Sound Quality (during a demo at a dealer using excellent speakers).

When I mentioned my disappointment with the SQ, the dealer stated - with embarrassment in his voice - that his store did not have better electronics than McIntosh at that time - but he could borrow better electronics from a sister store should I be willing to come back for a second demo.

My experience/opinion is completely outside of your '“audiophile snobbery" comments.  If there is a bias, "owner-bias" is very well documented (i.e. owners who favor their product for unfounded reasons).  

I am happy for McIntosh owners who are happy with their electronics.  Until I hear better sound, I remain disappointed.