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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
sid42
302 posts
 
And back to you, George: You're right, I don't like the autoformers in their amps, AND I don't care for their cd players either. However, I don't bash the McIntosh brand, which is what I thought this thread was all about. I love the sound, resale is fantastic, and I do own one of their pre's and amps. And although they have had several owners since Frank and Gordon passed, they are still one of the longest lasting USA companies to still be in business since 1949!
yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
MtAcoustat
They are trying to sign a petition to bring you back on CAM,in case you didn't know.
Cheers
George
taters
1,149 posts
 
Mc intosh has a built in market. There will always be doctors and lawyers in this world. They don't have to worry about the latest craze in the market. From a business point of view they are in a great place.
jclctr
9 posts
 
I saw a pair of Mc60s in a Pennysaver ad in 1980 and drove through the snow in Upstate New York to buy them from a guy in a trailer park. They have been bullet proof and have never failed to please. The McIntosh owner stereotype is a doctor with a lot more money than hi-fi knowledge or time who wants a plug and play system that sounds good. Those doctors tend not to lurk here, obsess over tweaks, or listen critically to hardware. They like their music and maybe the exclusivity of the brand. For me, I like the tube glow, sweetly colored euphonics, and heritage of the brand. It's romance I don't get from my ARC, Levinson, or Krell gear.
jb1
97 posts
 
It seems like the haters put to much effort in into hating products for no reason. Audio is totally subjective so it doesn't mater what the haters say or think. It only maters what the owner of the product thinks. It seems that most of haters don't own the products they hate so they are not qualified to pass judgement on anything.
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