Seeking Honest Opinions: Your Experience with McIntosh Audio Gear

They are okay, I think in modern standards there are better, Much like Harley Davidson they are a legacy brand, not that great. I call HD motorcycle Driveway Ornaments, McIntosh is a rack ornament. Now here is the real question.

Do you like McIntosh?

If so what’s with the question, enjoy it, who cares what other's think.

I never owned Mac before. Last feb I bought a pair of Mc611 and c49 to drive my Kef Blades. The Mac amps brought the blades to life at low volume, added layers of detail and bass that create an open soundstage that's unique and fulfilling.

Mac doesn't support MQA, but tidal is dropping it anyhow so, as much as I enjoy it mqa'a going bye bye. 

Equipment: MA352 Hybrid Integrated Amp,  MCD85 SACD/CD player

Sound Quality:  Very subjective topic, depends on room and other equipment, but in general more natural, very detailed compared to other equipment owned.  An audible difference for the better.  If its there the MA352 will reveal it; even standard CDs sound better in the MDC85; SACDs sound is outstanding.

Build Quality and Design: Both items heavy and built like a tank.  Outstanding fit and finish.  Top grade connectors, knobs and display.

Value for Money: I'm sure you'll find many great sounding alternatives at the same price point. But hard to beat resale value and you can be assured you'll find service and replacement parts as long a you own your McIntosh. 

Customer Service and Support: Called twice for features, configuration questions; you'll get a real tech not a call-center.  They know their stuff and will go beyond to help.

Overall Experience: Never regretted the purchase; probably the last IA I will own.

Owned McIntosh for a long time, off an on for decades:

1. Sound Quality: above average, a little warm to neutral, but a bit much on the mids and bass... great for rock music, but prefer other equipment for a more balanced approach.
2. Build Quality and Design: Dislike all the lights and meters. So damn bright and flashy. Design is done well though and their build quality is average compared to other hifi equipment at similar cost. (still pretty good though)
3. Value for Money: It is average to good. I know Americans will point out the 'made in usa' makes it great... but it doesn't necessarily mean anything.
4. Customer Service and Support: Fantastic. Here is where they remind me a bit of Bryston, "have a problem, no problem we will look after it for you for a reasonable price".
5. Overall Experience: 6/10. But I have moved on to what I feel is equipment that have more honest and neutral presentations.

I feel like McIntosh is what you buy when you want to say you have hi-end equipment but aren't really someone who researches and listens to a lot of different equipment. While it is still good equipment, once you audition others, you will soon find out that perhaps McIntosh isn't really what you want or need. But still good.

I have been a McIntosh owner for over 30 years. 

I will state that when I would visit stereo / hi-fi stores over the decades (when we still had hi-fi stores!) and salespersons would ask what I had for a system, I was embarrassed to some degree to state that I owned McIntosh due to the comments and that I would get.  Not sure where that really came from...other than the assumption that people disliked the colored, house sound from years ago, the logo font choice and the blue meters.  McIntosh, seemingly more than any other stereo manufacturer, has indeed generated a fair number of detractors that really dislike these products.

I still remember a few clubs/bars in my area in the '90's that would have a McIntosh amp behind the bar running the sound system.  All beat to heck, lights burned out, top of the amps battered for years of setting stuff on them, but still operating year after year.   

My mid '70's MC250 amp is still going, and my Clarion years MAC preamp is still 100% functional.