2. amps-preamps
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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
 
"02-27-15: Roxy54
I asked YOU what Mac gear you had used in your system that led you to your conclusions. Still waiting for an answer."

How about back in the 70's a pair old school MC275 monoblocks, when they made reasonably good amps, running stacked els57's.

Now you answer, what advantage technically for the sound does putting an output transformer on the rear end of a solid state amp do?
I can think of only one thing that it makes a poorly designed, maybe unstable solid state amp, more reliable and stable.


Cheers George
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
because they don't have it and want to buy'em cheap.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Czarivey, no because we can hear.
taters
1,149 posts
 
czarivey, that was funny!
phd
1,320 posts
 
Tbg, yes Mcintosh does make solid state with autoformers. The original solid state Mcintosh amp that I purchased was brand new, it was a direct coupled design. Decided a few days later I wanted the more expensive Mac with autoformers so I was able to trade up and compare the two designs. As mentioned earlier the design with autoformers had a more fuller midrange and the highs were much more refined. But again the bass wasn't as tight and well defined as the direct coupled amp.

By the way I tried to contact you on the other thread and on the website that you directed me to but when I clicked on your name it brought up Outlook Express and wanted me to set up that account with ipp numbers that I didn't know off hand so I quit. My email address is phdunn544@gmail.com
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