Seeking Honest Opinions: Your Experience with McIntosh Audio Gear

Supposedly Jeff Rowland makes the best SS amps, although I've never stepped up to the plate for one. I'm still very happy with my 18 year old SS Plinius integrated AB amp. The OPPOSITE of McIntosh - very plain Jane, but excellent. I don't want to deal with the hassle and distortion of tubes. Would consider a tube preamp (if I didn't have an integrated) or phono stage maybe since the tubes should last a very long time, although you should always leave a phono stage or preamp on which could shorten the tube life. 

If you care about the blue lights and meters and the retro look, fine. The look of any audio equipment should not factor into the equation unless you are an interior designer. My only exception is speaker size. I prefer thin floor standers so they don't dominate/take up the whole den.

Having owned Mac equipment for most of the past 25 years, I would like to add my thoughts.

SQ - suits my ear, more the tubes than the solid state. I have made money on all of the Mac gear I have sold over the years, except for the speakers. My main regret is selling my MC225 and MX110. Two premier pieces of gear.

BQ - I currently own the MC275, C2300 and MCD500. The MC275 and MCD500 were recently serviced by George Meyer Audio. Expensive but worth it. They are both operating at levels not seen since new. Takeaway is some service will be required over time. Do it.

Value - as stated, I have made money on every piece except for the speakers. The tweeter bank sounded like it would present a mini wall of sound. It did not.

Customer Service - never used.

Overall Experience - personal preferences are front and center. Balance with other components is key. These two aspects are well covered above. For me, VPI Aries 3 table for vinyl and Cambridge Audio streamer work great. Magico A5’s with B&W DB3D’s are amazing. Interconnects from Blue Jeans Cable are awesome. I believe these components are best for me, evidenced by the relative longevity in my setup. Love Mac gear and the way it sounds in my system.

If you search ads for current model pieces, the resale value is not any better than many other brands. Seems some are having a tough time selling these components for as little as 60% of retail. Schiit Audio actually retains more value on the pre-owned market.

Some of the older pieces have kept up with inflation or even gained value, but my hunch is that trend will decline concurrently with the numbers of boomers and early Gen-Xers.

Value for money is not good. Units all you care about is how it looks and/or the name. Most of it isn't bad by any means. But not at all worth the price in most cases.