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

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.

@eugene81 

with the McIntosh I could easily get lost in the music.

Ding ding ding! That's the criteria the video guy hauls out as the ultimate test of an audio system. The fact that McIntosh does that for you -- and I assume many others, here -- is about as good a refutation as one could hope for. The only reply the video guy could make is, "Well, you don't know what really good sound is like." To which the only answer is, "Go home."

I find it funny as hell the pathetic little troll who wants to bash mcintosh audio equipment. Mcintosh is a true reminder of hard work and dedication  determination and commitment of making excellent audio equipment for decades.  Very few companies can say that. Yes I do own some mac gear . Hell ya I do bit I also have parasound krell audio research.  Each audio equipment  I own is sweet and personal to me. Mcintosh is some the greatest audio equipment made period 

LOL Hello Ladies !!  Im so sorry Ive been ignoring you ... Who would know that one jackasses opinion would make people cry for a WAAAAAmbulance... So Ill ignore that meaningless drek and invite anyone who thinks they know something about me or any of my relationships with manufacturers to come forth and bring your story and lets get to the truth shall we ? Ill also invite anyone with an opinion that says they have not been totally taken care of by me as a buyer to also come forth and lets get to the truth... Time to Excercise the Demons out of this group and Im here, showing up to do so. For the record, I dont care if you dont like me ... who gives a crap.. Im talking about things that matter like service and sales. Any single person out there that feels they have been treated unfairly by me care to step forward ?  Opinions here dont matter , they are of no consequence. Lets get to the meat of the vomit on this thread and see if theres even one single legit complaint.. Im here to settle any dispute fairly and openly in a public forum.. Bring it ...   

We only care about the looks of gear here, Mike, so no need to weigh in. Only fake audiophiles here. But thanks for caring.