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Brand preference and opinions

Like cars with many brands, it is generally considered that Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi, Acura, Rolls Royce, Porsche, etc... to be in the top group. Ferrari, Lamborgini, Mclaren, etc... to be in the elite group and of course Toyota, Honda, Ford, Nissan, etc... to be in the general group.
Getting back to audio, I am looking for your opinion as to what is in the top group. For example, I think Conrad Johnson, Mcintosh, Mark Levinson, etc... brands to be in this group.
I like your opinion what would be in general the top brands for this group in the order of what is considered higher level.
My reasoning.... I am considering buying a amp/preamp or integrated amp based on brand only just like some people who buys a low end Benz for the prestige even though they could have had a higher end Lexus for the same money
shsu
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
I would lean towards McIntosh in that I think it can be sold to, and appreciated by, folks who themselves are not audiophiles. I think it has a broader reach as a brand than the others mentioned. Oh, and it sounds mighty fine too.
jtimothya
612 posts
 
My experience found Conrad Johnson makes reliable gear that works well with a wide range of speakers and holds its value well. Having owned many CJ products in the past, their amps and preamps always worked well together. Several of these are 'classics' today that continue to provide musical enjoyment. (Imo/YMMV No CJ components in my system and no affiliation with the company.)
zyl8tr
3 posts
 
Mark Levinson is Ferrari.

I think of Mcintosh as Mercedes Benz and their monoblocks is the AMG division.

I think of Krell as BMW, and their evolution series is the M\\\ division.

I think of Cary Audio as Jaguar. It appeals to older folks that have experienced it in the past.

I think of Rotel as Toyota. Best bang for the buck.

I think NAD as KIA. Unreliable back then and slowly becoming more and more reliable.

Haha.....just having fun. These are just my opinion and mine only.
pubul57
3,712 posts
 
ARC is like Cadillac?
CJ like Lincoln?

Mac is like Mercedes, but better resale, in that way more like Honda.
magnumpi205
504 posts
 
You really have to listen to all the gear and don't worry about brand names. Go to all the dealers and shows that you can.
Went to the Rmaf in October and determined that there were 3 types rooms at the show. The 30 second rooms, the 3 minute rooms and 30 the minute rooms.
Some rooms you knew after 30 seconds you didn't care for the sound.
Some rooms took about 3 minutes to decide on the quality of sound.
Some rooms 30 minutes wasn't enough time because they sounded so good and you wanted to stay . These were few and far between. Price didn't seem to have as much bearing on the sound as you would think.
There were six figure systems that sounded mediocre and small systems that sounded great.
Go out and take your ears on a test drive. Don't worry about names but trust your ears.
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