Seeking Honest Opinions: Your Experience with McIntosh Audio Gear

If McIntosh were a car company they would be Porsche, but made in America. Sure there are Ferrari’s and sexier components out there to rival. There are also the Lexus equivalents that come close and punch above their weight.  

In the end it’s a quality product that works as advertised in its class. 

The rest is subjective and subject to pairing like anything else. 

A lot of their amps measure objectively worse than amps priced MUCH MUCH cheaper. Not that they're bad amps by any means, but you're paying for name and esthetics.

I have several intergated amps that i do a rotation. I have always wanted a Mac with those blue meters.  I purchased a Ma 352 which is a hybrid. So I have Pass, Accuphase, Hegal. I noticed that when I rotate the Mac, it tends to stay in play the longest. Can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is something about the sound that I much enjoy. 

I had a C27 preamp for several years, bought refurbished. Here are my comments:

1. Sound Quality: Very pure; certainly not warm. Everything was good although the phono stage, to me, had a bit of harshness built in.
2. Build Quality and Design: Build quality was second to none. Beautifully constructed with the highest-quality parts.
3. Value for Money: As I said, I used it for several years and liked it mostly. At the time, it did every think I asked of it and did it very wel. 
4. Customer Service and Support: Never had to have anything fixed.
5. Overall Experience: I think the new ones are rather garish with their lit tubes and all. I think they have gone overboard and right now, the only pieces I'd recommend are the C22 preamp and the MC275 amp.

After going through several power amplifiers to pair with my Cary SLP-05 preamp including Parasound JC5, Pass Labs XA25 and Pass Labs XA30.8 I wasn't getting the sound out of them that I was after.  

I decided to try the McIntosh MC 312 300 WPC 120 db S/N solid state amp.  when I saw a good deal on a store demo model.  

1. Sound Quality: How would you describe the sound signature of McIntosh gear? Do you find it warm, neutral, or something else entirely?  > The sound quality is robust- fast paced and incredible speed and dynamic changes on a dime.  It has excellent transparency and bass authority but the kicker is an incredible soaring midrange that is as clear as daylight.  High frequencies are  not rolled off yet are smooth and pristine.  Sound stage is sufficiently large, well defined and spacious.  The sound is so clean and without a hint of grain.  Finally found my amplifier!
2. Build Quality and Design: McIntosh is renowned for its craftsmanship. Has their build quality lived up to your expectations? >Build quality is flawless.  Connections are accessible and of high quality.  I will be able to sell this thing for more than I paid for it (if ever) for the rest of my life!  It is almost too heavy though, not a big deal unless I ever sell it. 
3. Value for Money: Considering the premium investment McIntosh demands, do you believe the performance and satisfaction derived justify the price?  >I consider the value competitive with anything in its price range if not higher.  Again resale will always remain very high on McIntosh amplifiers.   
4. Customer Service and Support: Have you had any experiences dealing with McIntosh's customer service? If so, how would you rate their support? >n/a
5. Overall Experience: Would you recommend McIntosh to fellow audio enthusiasts? Why or why not?  >Absolutely.  Sound quality on the latest gen solid state amplifiers is as good as I could ever want and I flat out love it and the sound.  I have had many tube integrated, tube power amps, class A amps, high bias class AB amps and the Mac sounds the best to me!