nary a word on McIntosh amps

leftwinger57

I've been both silently viewing for quite a while and then letting loose w/ multiple posts. There is a subject that comes up quite often, the additon of an external amplifier to bolster your avr or to go completely w/ seperates.What I have noticed and this can be purely a financial decision but I very rarely see McIntosh ever recommended as a go amplifier.To me growing up this was the professionals' amp.Meaning Drs., lawyers accountants ,bankers. So do you find that they are still holding their value to a point where they are out of reach to most here or is there something that rubs you guys the wrong way about the brand. Build quality has not changed from the 50's from what I have been told even after being taken over by a giant Japanese Holding Co.I'm very happy w/ my Adcom but for some reason I was always drawn to the Macs,maybe because the Dead used them. I don't know but if I ever came across a 2200 w/ the right scenario a would jump on it.
Not dissing any other brand of amps here I haven't heard that many to begin w/ to have an opinion either way.

BlueFox

If want McIntosh visit the Audio Aficionado site. The fan boys are there. Personally, I have no experience, but visually they strike me as a fancy Emotiva.

ZLTFUL

Aesthetics, build quality...they are there.

But there are better brands sonically out there that may not cost as much or be as pretty but whoop em when it comes to acoustics.

Hell, my "no name" AMC CVT-2030S stomps the daylights out of a pair of MC30 monoblocks when it comes to sound quality.
It doesn't look as pretty doing it though.

Don't get me wrong...I would love to have an Anniversary Edition MC-275 but I can't justify the cost of it when a pair of Carver Statement Monoblocs will absolutely whoop it for less than half the price.


Bear in mind that this is coming from a McIntosh fanboy...even have the t-shirts. Only audio t-shirts I own...

Big Dawg

I have heard both solid state and tube McIntosh gear and it sounds fantastic. However, they sell at a very high price point, and at those prices I would prefer other brands.

Msabot1

Since the late 40's that was the equipment that everyone measured quality with...did you know that over 85 percent of the vintage amps from those times are still in very good operating condition. built to last and low maintenance,sound quality is superb!

Msabot1

O yea one more thing to add....nice things usually cost money!

tonyb

I've yet to hear a Mac amp that can control the lower bass notes with an Iron fist. Always seems a tad sloppy down there and other notes seem too rounded for my tastes. That's just my opinion based on past experiences, yours may of course differ.

That said, and many others will agree, too many other brands out there than can put Mac's to shame and do it for less coin. Though I do love blue lights and meters, and Mac's have that down pat.

Msabot1

When I was 15, my dad gave me his MC 60 ....had it serviced once since then and believe you me it will kick the snot out of just about anything on the market! Performance is about matching the right components is it not?

dudeinaroom

Macs are nice, they do have excellent build quality( I have refurbished a few). But at there price point I would rather spend the money on a pair of NOS Valves VRD. mono amps. I am slightly biased though, and yes I have heard them in the same system.

cnh

I have to agree. The Macs I've heard have been fine but I have heard "better". And since they are in that upper "niche", up above my price range, I'd probably opt for something else if I were able to shell out that kind of money.

I will admit that they do look "cool". As mentioned, they have that meter thing down. Very pretty and classy in appearance!

cnh

erniejade

I have heard some darn good McIntosh amps and preamps ( mono block on the amps) on a set of b&w and it sounded wonderful. I had a 2105 that to me sounded better then a lot of newer amps and the 2105 was from 1975! The build quality of McIntosh is what other company's stride for or it seems like it. That said, is there better sounding for less money? I think so but, sound is all personal so while I might like the sound of an amp or preamp, someone else might like the competing amp. McIntosh holds its value amazingly well on the used market.

I would love to hear this though.... as I think we all would just to say we heard it... http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Brand/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=78&Block=1

nguyendot

Most here have a taste of bang/buck. Some go all out but even those who do - go above and beyond Mac gear. Mac stuff is nice and it's built well - given I prefer other things for the price. If I ever got my hands on some of the gear I'd try it out. I had a C26 pre not too long ago and was unimpressed.

pitdogg2

erniejade wrote: »

I would love to hear this though.... as I think we all would just to say we heard it... http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Brand/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?NewsID=78&Block=1

yep right there with you......sweet looking anyway

drgalexo

I have a McIntosh C 50 preamp and a McIntosh 452 amp that I purchased less than a year ago. I doubt I will ever want to, or need to replace either one. The sound quality, build quality, etc. is exceptional. I'm one very happy McIntosh customer.

sucks2beme

The MAc line like all products have hits/misses.
A 275 amp is a very good unit. You aren't going to find much to beat it.
In the SS line, they have gobbs of power and those sexy blue meters.
But they are definitely $$$$ There in lies the problem.

F1nut

Not my cup of tea that's for sure.

Msabot1

Spoke on this earlier...I received two MC 60's as a kid and a C8 from my dad. Since then I have gotten a MC240 paired with a MX 110. Except for routine checks and tube replacement,nothing has been done to this gear. Guys this is Mid 60's equipment...still punches when the need comes up. I will never give this gear up.

Systems

I knew a guy for years that owned a brick and mortar audio store.
He started carrying Mac equipment and called me when it came it.
I went over for a listen, a whole stack of Mac running some Klipsch Cornwalls (this was years ago).
I was blown away by the sound.

Later on, he eventually invited me over to his house to listen to his system.
I went over there thinking he would have a whole Mac audio system ect.
I was a little shocked when I saw a total Lexicon system with Infinity speakers.

He did not carry Lexicon or Infinity, but It sure sounded better than anything at his store.

Different strokes I guess, I really liked the Mac stuff myself, but have not heard any in years.

nooshinjohn

sucks2beme wrote: »

The MAc line like all products have hits/misses.
A 275 amp is a very good unit. You aren't going to find much to beat it.
In the SS line, they have gobbs of power and those sexy blue meters.
But they are definitely $$$$ There in lies the problem.

My DIY Carvers will beat the MC275's all day long.

McIntosh is superb gear, and nothing to sneeze at. If you dream of them and have the scratch, go for it. Is there better for less? Sure, but much of that gear has yet to earn the reputation of the Mac, and does not hold value as well.

Face

nooshinjohn wrote: »

My DIY Carvers will beat the MC275's all day long.

McIntosh is superb gear, and nothing to sneeze at. If you dream of them and have the scratch, go for it. Is there better for less? Sure, but much of that gear has yet to earn the reputation of the Mac, and does not hold value as well.

I'm familiar with Carver's commercial amp, how is yours different? If it's similar, then I would say that your amp and the 275 are just two different flavors, and it would come down to personal preference.

miner

I have a Mc C2300 preamp, MC452 amp and a MCD500 SACD deck; I will live witht hese for quite some time. This was my entry into the higher end of audio.

devani

I have Mcintosh gears that I have paired with AR9....no it's not the best system in the world.....it's nice to know that I can get my money's worth if I decide to sell it....

scottyboy76

This is amazing to me, I have never heard one piece of mac gear, but from the pricing, even on the oldest rattiest stuff i have seen, I thought it was almost universally praised, very interesting to hear almost unanimous faint praise here, live and learn.

mhardy6647

McIntosh has made some superb products and many that I would consider mediocre and poor values at their original asking price and/or their current market price (I am speaking, not surprisingly, mostly of used/vintage Mac stuff).

I own two pieces of McIntosh equipment - a C-28 preamp (ss) and an MC-2100 (autoformer-coupled ss) power amplifer. I do not care for the sound of either.

That said, I'd sacrifice mission critical body parts to pick up a nice MC-225 (push-pull 7591) stereo power amplifier :-)

polkfarmboy

I think I may start looking in this direction for amplification

mhardy6647

polkfarmboy wrote: »

I think I may start looking in this direction for amplification

Which direction - Mac in general, MC-225, or body parts?

polkfarmboy

I was thinking maybe a 252 amp? from reading it would seem like a good bridge between solid state and tubes. Many people seem to think they go great with electrostats

leftwinger57

I think I'm either really shocked or stupified at most of the responses.To be as widely panned by close to 2/3rds of you guys I must REALLY be living in the 70's like most of my friends say.A 2105 @105 a side and some AR 3a come on now, this was the perfect den set-up for the ages.Yes they cost an arm and a leg,do I know what I'm talking about ,I seriously doubt it but you do ALL admit they are just pretty to look at.

devani

like women, looks won't be the only thing I look for in a woman....on second thought, what else is there to look at....

Msabot1

One word...QUALITY!!