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Why do some audiophiles beat up McIntosh?

I've been around audio my entire life. I'm 45 and I bought a decent Technics system when I was 12 with my paper route money. Genesis speakers built in New England which were actually pretty darned good. I would spin vinyl every single day to the point it drive my parents crazy. My buddies father had a McIntosh system that I was in love with and he was allowed to play it. It was haunting for me to hear his fathers system.

Fast forward 28 years later and I'm perplexed at the hatred I see posted online about McIntosh. Is it really that bad or is everyone upset that McIntosh is so successful? It doesn't make sense to me that the resale value is the best in the business yet audiophiles bash them. I personally have always loved their gear and sound. I don't own any, and probably never will. Still, I just don't get it. I've always admired McIntosh. Looks aside, I always enjoyed the music. Can someone tell me that they're junk or do you just not like the presentation?
donjr
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

"02-26-15: Larryi
The output transformers are spun on a jig in a matter of seconds (compare with how quality transformers are meticulously hand wound); I also did not see anything that suggests that the windings included the complex interleaving that McIntosh was famous for in the past."

Yes I heard this also, if your going to have a transformer hanging off a solid state amp, god knows why,
it should at least be interleaved. They stoped doing those a long time ago, as it was so labour intensive.

Cheers George
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Phd, now comparing two identical amps with and without autoformers would be very interesting. I didn't know they made such animals.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
I'm with Georgelofi, for the life of me I can't imagine why they still put trannies are on their ss amps?
When Mac started, they provided a level of quality, durability and consistency that was somewhat unique for the era. They seem to have fallen behind in terms of innovation.
Every time I've heard Mac gear I found them to be lacking in dimensionality and transient response. Not my cup of tea. YMMV.
runnin
397 posts
 
A big reason why some love to hate Mcintosh is a kind of class envy. Yes, there are those who could afford it but simply prefer another favour, but those for the most part hold no grudge or agenda.

I've seen this attitude among those who won't or can't pay more than entry level prices. The hate is silly, but there you are. Who cares, really.
taters
1,149 posts
 
I also saw the show how it's made. I was really surprised how shoddy the mc 275 was made. I always thought mc was really well made gear. After seeing that show I was not impressed. I generally hate Chinese made gear but I even think the Chinese could do a better job than mc does. I have a feeling that in the future mc will start making their gear in China. If they do it will be no great loss. Anyone that has seen that episode of how it's made knows what I am talking about.
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