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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
effischer
553 posts
 
Was in the biz back in the day, sold SME, Ariston, Dynavector, Accustat, H-K, Hafler, Crown, Rogers & more. Had a ton of it all in my home, and auditioned Threshold, Krell, Levinson, Logan, Snell, Magnepan, Grace, AKG, Empire, Conrad Johnson, Koetsu, Revox, B&O... List is endless. Boils down to perceived value and what your ears like.

Today, almost all my stuff is McIntosh with a few leftovers that can't readily be replaced for less than what I consider to be stupid money. From my perspective, you can spend a lot more money, but you can't get significantly better than Mc. It does what it does, well and without hassle. Are compromises made? Sure, but then everything in life is a compromise and the ones McIntosh makes work for me.
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,686 posts
 
Audiozen,
For once, I almost agree with you. Yes, they don't use boutique parts and the priciest casework, but then they are only a fraction of the price of the brands that you mention. I recently updated my old Mac 2105 amp with new speaker terminals, input jacks and IEC input. The old stuff was dated and pathetic by today's standards. That said, even in it's older condition, it sounded far more like real music than the Pass Labs X250.5 that I thought I had to have. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. So in the end, talk is talk, and as it is with most controversial topics, there will always be someone like Paladin giving an opinion that is based on an opinion.
To each his own, and let's remember that it's about music, not brand names.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,569 posts
 
I can't speak for McIntosh as I've only heard a couple of their amps and it wasn't under the best of conditions.

Rolex needs to take a chance and try some innovation and daring in their designs. How many times can you do the same take on a watch?

As for Harleys, anything good enough for Fred Flintstone should be in a museum, but I guess people like the look and the cachet. :-)

All the best,
Nonoise
wolf_garcia
6,617 posts
 
It's about vibe and feel...some Harleys are retro-beautiful but I don't like the riding style (tailbone sitting) personally, but so what? I'm sure people think my Bonneville is lame...but I love it. McIntosh has had GREAT reviews of some tube amps recently and although I prefer my Jolida (only because I own it, it sounds good, and the vibe...the vibe...) I think their designs look great, although I bet they don't care what I think. I have over 60 watches of many types and they're all fun...Rolex is an amazing brand in spite of my not having one (an old "red letter" Submariner in on my "want list") and mechanical watches are just a cool vibe if, like me, you give a damn about 'em. Somebody could argue that a Valjoux 7750 watch movement exploded and removed all their wrist hair and I'd still enjoy mine...although most people really don't care about my little hobbies...*sigh*...
team212's avatar
team212
248 posts
 
Sadly the Macs have sunk to new lows--the Vintage ones 60s/70/s were deservedly Classics-the latest offerings are

bloated muddy and bland.

Great pity for one of the truly great names of Audio.

I'd but elsewhere.

They are owned by some Italian hedge fund outfit together with ARC and Sonus

faber--the latter has models made in China

How the mighty have fallen

Des
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