Seeking Honest Opinions: Your Experience with McIntosh Audio Gear

No one has mentioned convenience. I have a M/X 123 A/V processor that controls my audio and video. It came bundled with Apple Music, so no separate streamer, DAC, etc. necessary. My audio is powered by a McIntosh 275 tube amp. For movies, etc,, I use a MC8207 seven channel solid state amp. Coupled with a MAC4BACCH filter, it sounds better than a million dollar system I recently heard at a very high-end dealer in New York. I cannot over-emphasize how much the BACCH adds to my system.

A little different perspective. I have bought almost all of my audio components used. I’m the second owner of an MC352 that I use to drive Quad 63s. When I moved on to Sound Lab electrostatics, I bought two MC2500s, each bridged to mono 1000 watts. The 2500s have a slightly brighter signature than the 352. But all sound great and are built like tanks. I really couldn’t be happier with their sound and lack of distortion. Also, looking at the audio market places, it appears all three of my amps have appreciated since I bought them. 
 

A friend and fellow audio traveller has a stunning system built around a new Mac integrated and Sonus Faber Olympica speakers. Marvelous sound. 

With over 50 years in this hobby, the only piece of equipment I truly regret selling was my MC240 power amp, which I sold to finance my first home theater. I'm now at least 5 upgrades past that in my theater, and would love to still have that MC240 for my 2-Channel rig.

Bottom line: if you're shopping for the long haul, you probably can't do much better than Mcintosh. 

Totally agree in general with: "Can't beat MAC on price/value ratio nor for resale and service..."

I use the MC 901 mono amplifiers which allows me to biamp my speakers. The speakers are B&W and I use transparent cables and power cords and and an above average pre-amplifier and streamer dac. I don't use mcintosh pre-amplifier because I hate looking at the stupid green light all the time and I'm not sure the quality of the processors is as good as other manufacturers Plus I don't like the way it's configured for a home theatre bypass which turns off the TV screen when you're listening to stereo when using home theatre bypass which really sucks.

You really need to biamp and use quality interconnects to get the best out of any system. Especially B and W speakers. I thought about using a tube amp from VAC or CJ but I was concerned that the bass wouldn’t be what I wanted. Really wanted to biamp using tubes and solid state and McIntosh was the only company that could really do it given what their skill set is. So far it’s working out.

My only complaint as I mentioned in another thread is that the stock tubes they use are crap and I’m in the process of evaluating new tubes.

If you have issues with the amplifiers good luck getting them repaired very quickly.. McIntosh support of warranty centres is not where it needs to be and the length of Time you need before it’s fixed could be several months and very uncertain. I’m not sure why they use Best Buy to sell their products using Magnolia. That’s disappointing in my opinion and cheapens the brand.

Reliability was a big factor in my purchase decision and strong dealer support which is the case for me at least.