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
Well there's certainly a lot of people who have never owned Mac gear that hold a rather strong opinion of them. There's also effischer who's been a dealer for some of the most sought after gear in the industry back in the day and he's running all McIntosh gear. Are we so sure (those who claim McIntosh parts quality is poor) that McIntosh is still using poor quality parts?
I recently watched an interview on one of the morning shows with the CEO who claimed every bit of a McIntosh is made in the U.S. and that will never change under his watch. I mean honestly, these engineers weren't slackers and all they cared about was the music. I've never read a single word about an engineer who didn't love working for McIntosh. They dragged engineers in from all over the world. They were single handedly responsible for taking the Beatles from a PA system to serious hifi. Their history is by far more storied than any other hifi manufacturer on the planet.

McIntosh is a serious competitor to Luxman and Accuphase. Most of the McIntosh gear is exported to Japan. I'd dare say Japan might be a larger market for any hifi company than the U.S. I haven't heard a good argument against McIntosh thus far. No more so than any other manufacturer. Is a Pass Labs Int 150 any better than a MA6600? I've read plenty of bad reviews of the Pass. Of course the answer will always be whatever you like. The deal is that if you like the Pass Labs you're okay but if you like the McIntosh MA6600 you wasted your money on a pretty glass faceplate you lousy stinkin' lawyer or doctor. Meanwhile there's a lot more people unhappy with the Pass.
I'd like to also mention that yes, although the sound/synergy and function is most important I can't get over the fact that for me looks do play a role. The same goes for homes and cars. It's natural that you would spend your money on something you enjoy the looks of. I could give you a good comparison of looks over function but I'd be kicked off the forum.
I have owned MA7000, MC452, MC601's, C50, C2300, and C500. Although when I had it, it was a pleasure listening to them and they look good. I recently had a friend loaned me a stereo 300w Bryston 4B SST2 to try out, and to my experience it worked out better than the C500 & MC601's. To me the Bryston has a better control on the bottom vs the Mc, and also I get better bloom on the mid compared to Mc. My final assessment is, Mc sound is little mushy. I was really blowned away that I would preferred the little stereo Bryston 4B SST2 over my Mc601's. My best advice to all is to audition different gear in your home before purchase, and don't let looks clouds your judgement.. Just my 2c

Sorry, English is my 2nd language..
...many of the responses here seem to come from audio snobs that are still concerned that their audio peers will question their "audio stature" if they dare buy such "pedestrian" gear...insecure and sad.

Pepe