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

amitb

Talked to a top end dealership in Phoenix az rolls alot of mcinbose and they thought the influx of cash could be a good thing in r & d. Mac has been bought and sold several times over the decades and yet it still exists. Got pulled from best buy most likely due to lose. Marantz,focal ect have all been  through the exchange of Capitol through the years. Hope all audio companies stay in business. Mcintosh has gone to the dark side and has class d mi502 hypex module x4 very good  1kw in 4 ohms but not 200 amps to pound the base. Enjoy the music and Mcintosh is a great value on the used market.

@jfrost27

I never considered myself a McIntosh guy.  Since my beginnings in this hobby in the early 80’s (as many of us in high end audio), McIntosh was never on my radar, mostly because of price, and the biased rep that they were more show than go.  So, I never considered them, and it wasn’t because of the “McIntosh sound” 🤡 .  Then, a couple years ago, my friend at Best Buy hooked me up with his employee discount, 40% off retail.  Then came the split between McIntosh and Best Buy, and I lucked out with a two day blowout sale and snagged the latest preamp at 70% off retail.  Well, I now have McIntosh gear, along with PS Audio gear.  If people were honest, McIntosh has a lot of haters out there, but it has nothing to do with the “McIntosh sound.”