+1
aolmrd1241....btw, nice dog, akita?
New McIntosh amp build quality
I've been doing some research on the new MC 275 Mark VI. I've only heard the amp for a few minutes. I thought the 275 sounded nice. On another thread, a person stated the new Macs are not built as well as the older ones and in fact said the build was "shoddy" compared to pervious years. Just curious how owners of newer Mac amps feel about the build quality vs the old ones. Maybe a Mark V is a better option. I'm not looking for alternative brands...I have that info that is a mile long. Specifically the build (and sound) of new 275's (or new Mac amps in general) vs older versions.
Thanks
Thanks
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- 28 posts total
It has been my experience that the older produced McIntosh products sounded much better than the ones produced today. There was a time when you would hear Accuphase, Conrad Johnson and McIntosh in the same conversation. But all that changed, especially when they turned into: http://www.mcintoshgroup.com Now partnered with a P/E fund Money things have never been the same... https://www.twice.com/product/fine-sounds-group-changes-name-mcintosh-group-62447 |
I home-demoed a McIntosh C2500/MC452 last week and was less impressed than I expected to be with build quality. For some reason my expectations were higher. The preamp felt light-ish in weight and you can feel and hear the panels vibrate and settle when setting the unit down gently. In comparison I’ve noticed other gear at that price-point or even lower typically exudes a superior build quality with a far more solid feel. Bryston, Simaudio are two that come to mind that just seem way more solidly presented in terms of fit and finish. Simaudio gear seems built and presented like a supercar when inspected up-close. Also the non flush-mounted screws on the McIntosh C2500 chassis just seems cheesy at this price - why would they have done that? Finally I thought the spring-loaded McIntosh speaker terminals were spongy and didn’t offer the same sense of confidence and secure-ness that other brand’s terminals offered. Of all the gear I’ve tested recently at this price point, McIntosh is the only brand which I felt like the fit and finish seemed disappointing given its price point. Not to beat up on McIntosh too much - it’s not that I felt the build quality was bad persay, I just was expecting more given the emphasis on fit and finish other brands have. The Mac gear looked great (some argue looks the best) and I can see how some like the sound, but ultimately it wasn’t for me. |
- 28 posts total