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Disappointing On Mcintosh......help

 3 Months ago  I went to NYC and stopped by the WOM  and auditioned several MCintosh gear...........and left a bit disappointed or not impressed...then I told myself   " lets give a second shot"  and went today to a  HIFI store and again Good room accoustics10K speakers , MC Preamp , MC Amplifier........ and again  the same disappointment I felt 3 month earlier.

Is that the "warm" sound people reffer to about Mcintosh?  
The sound is ample, base is powerfull  but the the sound is simply  not to clear, the hights are not too "crisp"  It sounds like the treble is set at 3 and needs to be adjusted at 9 or 10.
It seems like  the sound is  coming through a thin layer of paper ...that is the way I describe that sound.  

Then 20 minutes later I auditioned a Parasound A21+ and a JC5 and the sound was more clear and the highs were crispier

Whats your take on my experience?  or That is the MC "warm sound? 
128x128cydrone
muddywaters61's avatar
muddywaters61
41 posts
 
There are models of Macintosh intergraded amps that do sound cleaner or crisper then others. My dealer demonstrated both sides. Might have been the MA 5300..
I had the MA6200 for many years and it was recommended that if I liked that warm
sound ‘almost tube like’ go with the MA6600, which I did and just love it. It’s such a fine line for me when it comes to more detail at the cost of Listeners fatigue. I spend several hours a day playing music,
Cds, tape, and vinyl. Macintosh isn’t for everyone but those of us who are luck enough to own it are sure
glad they do. 😎
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,461 posts
 
I have a MA6600 in my secondary system and it’s the best integrated I have yet heard in my system.  It has great synergy driving a pair of GE Triton Ones. Previously I had a Parasound Halo Integrated and a Rogue Cronus Magnum integrated and it was no contest. 
midareff1
182 posts
 
I listened to a Mc system driving Maggies, two systems actually at the local Hi-Fi place and they both sounded like music through mud.  I'll stay with my 25 year old Acoustats, ARC Pre and Sumo amps.
saint71
1 posts
 
Do bot underestimate the impact of the cabling/wiring. ;)
lowtubes
113 posts
 
I am really surprised a lot of times by the dumb remarks people make in reference to questions asked. If fact, people reply back many times with information that is not what the posted question is  about. My answer to your question is very simple and with common sense. You can not judge McIntosh amps unless you hear them on many different systems. I would guess McIntosh has a certain “house” sound that you should get familiar with to see if that’s for you. I have heard Mac amps many times and when set up correctly, they sound very nice. But it’s important to remember that the hired designers at McIntosh come and go so the “house” sound will change throughout the years. I personally feel that it’s important to purchase from a reputable hifi manufacturing company because it will still have a good resale value in the event it doesn’t work for you. Compared to Parasound, the McIntosh has a much better resale value.  I personally have a ton of tube and SS gear but have never owned a Mac amp but I have absolutely no objective in getting one. But I would never want a Parasound in my home. 
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