2. amps-preamps
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Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

With the exception of some of there tube gear, not many really use this stuff(or admit to it anyway), I am mainly referring to there amps. They look pleasant, they look good on paper and have the price of high end gear, but I seldom hear anyone claiming to like or one day dreaming of owning McIntosh. I have never really listened to there stuff, no good word of mouth sort of scares me away from it, the only people who like it are those who sell it, an uncanny coincidence? I don’t know. Sorry it this has been covered many times in the past, I ran a search and could not find anything.
tireguy
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Because it looks cool does not sound cool though!!
bsimpson
167 posts
 
I cannot a agree more with Ebm's comment. I had owned the vintage MC30 monos, MC225, MC240, MC250, MC275, MA230, MC2105, and the modern MC2275. I kept getting suckered to buy McIntosh because of the look and 'pride of ownership'.

But my ears keep telling my head: Dump that thing now! Can't listen to music with that whisper in my head. The Mcs usually last no more than 2 months in my room.
s1nn3r's avatar
s1nn3r
162 posts
 
If this is true then Mcintosh wouldn't be in business. Their MSRP obviously only get support from audio enthusiasts. Just like a gun enthusiast that is willing to pay for 5k custom race gun. Non enthusias will be happy with a $400 Taurus revolver.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
Slmn3r, I worked at a large Mac dealer in Chicago.
Most of the sales were to doctors who really cared little about music and a lot about status symbols.
audioquest4life
772 posts
 
I am an audio enthusiast and use Mcintosh...I am not sure what percentage of audiophiles statistically speaking falls into the "don't like camp"; however, there are a substantial amount of people, including myself, that just happen to like the sound. Having gone through Mark Levinson, Krell, Bryston, and Octave, the current MC2301's amps are a keeper.

All I can say is that other people's opinions, impressions, or thoughts are not detractors to my own listening pleasure. I research, listen, and carefully tune all of my rooms to allow for optimal listening, no matter what the equipment. I guess I am not as fussy as other people and would rather listen to music instead of lambast other people's equipment.
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