McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

@femoore12

I’ve actually received criticism by members of this site because I stated the design aesthetics of the equipment I purchase is actually important to me.

First off, we’re good. I appreciate your kind words.

Next, the (video author’s) notion that how something looks and sounds are completely distinct -- indeed, unrelated -- is a ridiculous move (and it is a move).

Has he ever eaten a meal that was well-presented (or "plated" as they say in the biz)? Of course looks matter. Aesthetic experience involves the whole person. No one ever complains if a stereo makes you tap your toes, right? So, motor senses like touch are relevant to audio but not sight? How many audiophiles should be dissed for their lava lamps or their lighting because clearly (the idiot logic goes) that is evidence they don’t really care about the sound? None. None should be dissed.

People who love cars get it. Form AND function can go together. And a company that can produce really great functioning cars can put that talent into their form, too. It’s not necessarily a sign that they’ve diverted precious resources away from the function side, right? Well that’s another claim made by the video author.

Are there charlatans that are only about looks? Sure. Do con-jobs happen with looks? Hello, trophy-wife or trophy-husband! But the notion that IF there are good looks, THEN there is inadequate attention to the content is (as I said) a rhetorical gambit meant to sucker in the confused. You are not suckered, nor am I!

@oldhevymec's comment about the author's appearance reminds me of Nietzsche's comment about Socrates.

"In origin, Socrates belonged to the lowest class: Socrates was plebs. We know, we can still see for ourselves, how ugly he was. But ugliness, in itself an objection, is among the Greeks almost a refutation. ... And Socrates merely answered: "You know me, sir!"

I use to own MC601 mono blocks and matching preamp C52 with klipsch speakers never ever sounds good or no synergy at all I sold them bought Parasound A21+ and P6 and here we go everything sounds right 

my wife love the looks on Macintosh and she always giving me a compliments with Parasound she don’t care 🤷‍♀️ 

since then I own a lot of power amps  JC1, JC5,SIMAUDIO MOON, CLASSE CA2300 Plinius 103 and more but anthem STR amp I use to own also sound dead code with my speakers 

matching right amp to right speakers is super important 

@hilde45 + 1

“jjss49”

Interesting summary of manufacturers recommendations of speaker / amp combos.

We prolly need a registry that summarizes the manufacturers’ recommended speaker / amp combos.  
 

My experience is that McIntosh makes some great sounding, relatively high value products, and some that are mediocre and overpriced "lifestyle" products.  I really liked my MC452.  Direct coupled MA352 not so much.   MHA100 went back in the box within hours.

MC452 was $7500.. FOR 450 WATTS.  By comparison the Pass Labs X350.5 was $11,550.  I don't see that as a ripoff. 

Maybe if the MC452 sounded like a Denon receiver, but it had authority, detail, dimensionality, and that unique McIntosh autoformer tone that I've never heard replicated from another manufacturer.  Not as nuanced and refined as some competitors and pricier amps I've owned (PS Audio's Paul McGowan described Mc as a bit "heavy-handed", which I think is accurate), but really enjoyable and very musical nevertheless.  I now have a system that I feel strikes the right balance I've been searching for with an Allnic preamp and Luxman power, but sometimes I take a step back and find my listening habits too fickle and analytical whereas with the McIntosh I could easily get lost in the music.