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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
6,409 posts
 
@mrklas,

I have a similar story and ended up with a McIntosh C2500 and MC302.  I am extremely satisfied and I love the generous amount of inputs and outputs, adjusting Moving Coil impedance on the fly by remote, bass and treble controls...I could go on and on.  The amp sounds so effortless, plenty of power for my speakers.  
snapoli2
101 posts
 
Interesting. I've always found Mcintosh to be bright and thin but recently heard the C2700 with a MC462 on JBL 4349's and it was amazing. The newest generation of Mac gear sounds phenomenal... when paired properly. I heard that same MC462 run with a Jeff Rowland Capri S2 preamp and it sounded like TRASH. Pairing is VERY important and I do subscribe to the idea that our tastes may change a bit over time. Or we just forget. If you can, take your time and audition gear. Sometime's it's a pain in the @ss, especially during a pandemic, but allot of dealers will allow home demos - especially with preamps and the such. And every audio comment about sound should be followed with "it sounded bright and thin... TO ME"... sound is subjective. 
gregp858
30 posts
 
Currently I’m running a McIntosh c53 preamp with a McIntosh mc452 power amp and a pair of KEF Blades! I couldn’t be more thrilled! The sound stage is spectacular and it is just a pleasure to listen to! Seems like KEF and and McIntosh like each other! Also used Audio Quest cables.😎🎶
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,409 posts
 
Congratulations and enjoy the music. 
arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 
Loved the Mac sound. 
   About put me to sleep.

relaxing and detailed. 

I like a warmer sound. Too much treble is irritating to me. 
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