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

Jessica Williams is pouring out her witty soul tonight…thru my 60 year old MC240…..

ah, sublime……

Jessica Williams 2001 Live At Maybeck

Mcintosh makes so many products, it started in the 80’s when they were purchased by Clarion. Now they are part of the Fine Sounds Inc family. Prior to the 1980’s they were mainly known for their rugged and built like a battleship amplifiers, over the decades this has not changed you just have to wade through a whole bunch of crap to find the Mac products that are worthy. The McIntosh MC352 is a great example of a double balanced push-pull solid state amplifier that sounds fantastic and was designed in house by Charles Randall ( McIntosh Pres). And of course the Magical MC275 tube amp, the MC2600 was a truly awesome sounding solid state behemoth. McIntosh also made many direct coupled amps to drive speakers with a more difficult load, these are less desirable on the used market. Today MAC makes high wattage solid state amps that are very expensive quad balanced designs. A amplifier to me has to drive my speakers NOT my ears, and I can listen quite loudly for long periods without ever feeling fatigued, that’s what a great McIntosh amp is all about!

Did you know that The Grateful Dead used McIntosh amplifiers for there shows even Woodstock. What a buncha lawyers! Hahahaha.

Also, Ive never met a Krell person who likes McIntosh...just saying.

Matt Miller

There are a lot of brick and mortar stores dealing in high end that can keep the doors open solely due to their McIntosh sales…and are therefore able to offer more esoteric gear as a benefit, even if these lines sell to a fraction of McIntosh. To me, that gives McIntosh value, as I want these folks to stay in business and continue to offer the variety that they do…anyone else agree with this?

there's a dude on another thread who's head over heels because he's got a system that enables him to listen to his speakers and ignore the music - serious!
 

@pesky_wabbit 
I am not surprised. Some people become so focused on analytical listening that they stop hearing the music. It’s only about the “sound”. 

@daveyf 

anyone else agree with this?

absolutely! My supervisor started off with McIntosh gear when he first got started. As his tastes changed he was able to sell the gear at no loss and move up to more expensive and esoteric brands. He loves McIntosh gear, but as he told me his listening style changed and his gear long with it.