Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

Certain brands have acquired 'cult' status. To me, McIntosh is kind of like Cadillac, a brand that for decades was considered to be in the luxury class, but not high performance. I still think it is largely true. There are certainly better-performing product lines out there, but McIntosh still sells because it has been around longer and it certainly is well-built. I would prefer Mark Levinson electronics by a large margin.

WOW! Jc51373 and Uraniumcommittee I can agree with you in one area and that it is your opinion and that's what makes the world go around but obviously neither one of you have heard the product in a system that is great sounding, too bad for the both of you. You both would likely get along really well.

This is a hobby and there is nothing perfect out there no matter how much it costs, that's life but you both should know that. You should make it a practise not to bash other gear,
if you don't like it find but leave it at that because when you start making absorb statements that make no sense it only takes away from your credibility.

Hey everyone has an opinion...so here is mine...being in the car business for the last 15 yrs and having sold and driven everything from A to Z..I mean just about every brand,from Kia,Daewoo to Ferrari,Lotus and Porsche etc....I personally wouldn't compare Mac to Cadillac or Mercedes....my comparison is to Ferrari...and here's why.

I have driven and sold 5 Ferraris (different models) and they all have that certain "something" that makes you want to get in and drive,even go out of your way to get somewhere.....they are not the fastest,or quickest and probably not the overall best handling....but when Ferrari puts a car together...it is "all there" and just sooooo right. To me Mac is on the same plane...maybe not most detailed,or "best bass" etc.....but listening to music thru my mac gear,makes me want to listen to...well more music.....and to me that is what it is all about.

Yes I like the looks and build quality, but the sound is most important,and I have other gear which I also like

"03-19-07: Jc51373
Trying to make a McIntosh analogous to a Mercedes is actually an excellent way to describe what I think of McIntosh, if you need to know. It's an over-priced status symbol, ruined by a conglomerate. I have now heard the McIntosh in three separate systems, including my own, and in all of them I got the same feeling from it."

No, I disagree. McIntosh is more like Cadillac. Mercedes automobiles are worth every penny, but Cadillac? Hardly!

Hey guys, listen...Lets not get huffy, my opinions (albeit over the internet and not communicated completely) are not intended to try and upset anyone...They were formed through listening, and therefore I consider them fact-based opnions, first-hand opinions.

To me comparing these amps to a Ferrari is even more inaccurate. Ferrari's are nice don't get me wrong, but they are mainly eye-candy, unreliable, high-maintenance, not mass produced, and very expensive. I have also driven in them, and find them to be incredibly impractical too. Not to mention, Mac Amps, are practical, and are admittedly slower amps. I might compare Shindo, Goldmund, or Nagra to a Ferrari if I were going to make that analogy.

I do however like the Cadillac analogy much better than the Mercedes or Ferrari. I have listened, and I gave it a fair shake in different systems, and each time it was the same for me, unemotional, uninvolving, dry, etched. Doesn't mean that some may not prefer this sound, to each his own. I think it is important either way to be able to voice your opinion intelligently, and constructively, for the benefit of those searching these forums to evaluate. This is not bashing, and if you feel it is, so be it.

I personally love buying equipment, if possible, from smaller independently owned manufacturers. They are usually more passionate about what they do, which typically results in a better product. Although Levinson might be the exception, their stuff sounds great, but service has suffered since HSG took the helm. MnIntosh is owned by who? Denon? Marantz? I would however have less of a problem with that if the stuff sounded as good as Krell or ML, but it doesn't and too often it is compared to it, which is not accurate. Collectively, these things are to be considered when looking at McIntosh.