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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
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,449 posts
 
@vegasears...………………………………….

Excellent score on the C2500.  I paid $4100.00 for mine, used from Audio Classics.  If you think it sounds good with the McIntosh branded tubes (JJ), try a pair of the Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes in the line stage.  It will take the preamp to another level while retaining the wonderful McIntosh sound.
stereofreak49
1 posts
 
Either you like music as it was recored and intended to be heard or not. 
randym860's avatar
randym860
131 posts
 
I find it amusing that all this talk about Macintosh being "warm" sounding and prefer brighter amps are some of the same people that will criticize klipsch for being too bright. I think too many people listen too much of opinions rather than listen to the equipment to make up their own minds.
decooney
2,151 posts
 


@cydrone

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?

Were the Parasound components (removed and replaced) paired up with the exact same source, same speakers, same interconnect and speaker cables, in the exact same room and same location as the Macintosh preamp/amplifier for a true apples-to-apples comparison?


durkn
70 posts
 
Vegasears
I owned the TL-2.5 for two decades.
The early 12AX7 & 6350 tube model.
After rolling to the right tubes, it went to having little signature sound & little tube sound. It had more natural uncolored sound.
The I upgraded to the TL-5.5 (series 1)
After rolling to the right tubes, it went to having no signature sound & no tube sound. After going to reference quality cables, there is no house sound, no coloration, just the open & airy music without bias.
I’ve gotten to the place I wanted & glad you have too.


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