McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

"Who actually buys from this man?" @roxy54, I do. I'll be replacing my PrimaLuna EVO400 Power Amplifier with NAT Audio Generator monoblocks. I'm also upgrading my Dyna PAS-3X preamplifier with a NAT Audio Symmetrical. Mikey assures me I'll be completely satisfied. I'm really looking forward to it! It'll be a fun road trip to pick up the gear, hang out, and listen to his AMAZING system!

I must admit that in the past, having a visually cool-looking system was one of my considerations but over the last couple of years, I've been focused on attaining the best sonics that I can.

I think having a local HiFi group has influenced and sped up that direction as well. One of the benefits I have is the ability to try other gear in my system and go to other local audiophiles' homes to listen to their rigs. Currently, we have 7 local guys who have nice systems, several of them with multiple systems. One guy has a system valued at 500k. He has VAC Statement amps, an AMG TT, Magico S7's, and other top gear and cables. I had my Magico A3s before we met and was heading towards improving the sonics of my system. After he hosted a monster 8-hour listening session at his home for several of us, I realized the next day that I wasn't getting everything out of my speakers that I could. 

That's when I consulted Mikey and things progressed from there. Implementing his advice, I rearranged my listening room and changed speaker placement and toe-in. Mikey's not into analog but I also tweaked the VTA of my tonearm and it was as if the sonic puzzle piece fell into place! It was like going to a chiropractor with a painful back and after he adjusts you the pain completely vanishes! The change in sonics was that stark compared to my old layout! Others have said that I don't need to do anything further now, and I would agree but I trust that the changes we are going to make will take my rig to a completely new level. 

No matter what anyone says about him, Mikey is an expert in HiFi. He's backed up that fact. In the latest video he put out, a guy said he's heard the PS Audio system with the Infinity towers and basically said there was no comparison to Mikey's rig.

I'm looking forward to benefiting from his HiFi experience and passion every time I put on an album!

@stephens770 It was sarcasm. "Unvarnished" added to "truth" was hyperbole meant to convey irony. I have no "purposes." Sorry it wasn’t clearer. I'd hope that your reading of my other posts make the case (to you, to others) that the video is ridiculous, irresponsible nonsense. No way for a dealer to behave.

Good for you vuch. Lay down with dogs, wake up with fleas my Dad always said.

@roxy54, I guess your dad never had good dogs.

@mikepowellaudio As someone who values justice and fairness and not making unfair and unwarranted assumptions I have the following to say:

I have done business with Mike Powell on two occasions since I got back into this hobby several years ago. First was several years ago when I bought his Maggie silver upgrades for my Maggie 1.7is. He was professional to work with and always pleasant, available and communicative. The upgrades were great and I highly recommend them. The second time was recently, when I got a good deal on a pair of NIB, sequentially serial numbered Jeff Rowland Model 125 amps. Again, very professional, great to work with, available and communicative. I would definitely do business with Mike again.

Some of you may not like his style. Fine. To each his own. But he tells you what he thinks and doesn’t BS. I would rather listen to him and do business with him than say the Innuos reps I talked to at AXPONA who fed me this BS rationalization about why they use underpowered cheap parts in their Zenith. Mike you exposed their BS and confirmed my suspicions with my Zenith Mk3. I feel that Innuos and possibly other Roon Core server vendors take advantage of us audiophiles with a bunch of hype and BS to sell us a product inferior to a well spec’d NUC for thousands more. I feel like I had been taken advantage of. You like that style? Mike exposed their garbage in one of his videos. He is doing us a service. For those of you with Innuos gear who like it. Great. I am glad you are happy. That is what matters. It’s a hobby.

The point is he gave an honest opinion about McIntosh. You don’t like it? Great. You don’t have to like it. You also don’t have to agree with it. Just don’t be a jerk to Mike because he has a different opinion to you. Don’t we have enough disagreement and vitriol in this country. We have to now bring that into audio? Give me a break. Go listen to some music on your gear, McIntosh or otherwise. You’ll feel better.