An Audio Amateur's question about McIntosh Audio

@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.

Cool story, bro.

The electronic components of my systems have been exclusively McIntosh since the late 70’s. (See my current setup in virtual systems) My best friend since first grade dad had a fairly high-end and ever evolving Mac system until he died and that’s where I learned to love music and specifically McIntosh. I bought my first component, a MA6100 integrated amplifier, as soon as I could afford it. It’s what I know and what I like. Yes. I like the way it looks too. But it’s hidden away in my basement man cave and I have people over to my house very rarely. So it’s not any sort of “hey look at me” thing. I just like the way it sounds. And isn’t that all that matters?  

Growing up as a teen in the 70’s, McIntosh was a huge name in Audio electronics along with Audio Research. I knew a couple people who owned the equipment, mostly my friends parents. I always wanted to own some of their equipment but never bought any of it. As I grew older many more companies produced high quality audiophile grade electronics that met or exceeded the sound of McIntosh. I always felt McIntosh was the safe bet as they had a house sound and you knew they were built like tanks and would be supported for many years and had good resale value. As I got older and could afford higher end gear like McIntosh, I was just not attracted to anything they made considering the competition and always felt I could find something better for the money. I still feel this way about their equipment but have nothing against the brand and I feel they make very nice equipment. In audio it’s always personal preference and peoples opinions on gear and what sounds best to them. I always felt the company dated themselves in designs with the continued use of the audio transformers in their solid state amps.