Mcintosh

[deacongreg]

I`m sure there are those of us that still dream about what our ultimate system would be, if our finances were not restricted. Likewise, those companies that we lust after, we would be knocking down their doors on a regular basis.

For me, that company has always been Mcintosh. After seeing those big beautiful amplifiers with the blue VU meters, how could you not fall in love. In fact, I recently found out they still give their 2hr. tour of their facility in Binghamton, Ny on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I plan to set up a time to go. It will take me about 3 hours from White Pains, NY.

Which brings me to their first mini-system?!! lol. At $7,500.00 theres nothing mini about it. But, how I would love to own it...................

http://hometheaterreview.com/mcintoshs-first-ever-integrated-audio-system-shipping-in-time-for-holidays-/

[DIYer]

I`m sure there are those of us that still dream about what our ultimate system would be, if our finances were not restricted. Likewise, those companies that we lust after, we would be knocking down their doors on a regular basis.

For me, that company has always been Mcintosh. After seeing those big beautiful amplifiers with the blue VU meters, how could you not fall in love. In fact, I recently found out they still give their 2hr. tour of their facility in Binghamton, Ny on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I plan to set up a time to go. It will take me about 3 hours from White Pains, NY.

Which brings me to their first mini-system?!! lol. At $7,500.00 theres nothing mini about it. But, how I would love to own it...................

http://hometheaterreview.com/mcintoshs-first-ever-integrated-audio-system-shipping-in-time-for-holidays-/
This (http://forums.soundandvisionmag.com/showthread.php?t=77750) and this (http://forums.soundandvisionmag.com/showthread.php?t=456221) thread may be of some use as a primer on McIntosh.

[Dennieaa]

A lot of people swear by McIntosh Gear.

But not a lot of people around here. Check out some of the other forums for other opinions.

I myself have never used McIntosh gear, but I know people that like it very much. I too think the McIntosh Blue Lights are very cool.

(Looks around) Where is Billie?

Dennie

[Towen7]

I'm envious of those that can afford McIntosh equipment, but my limited experience with those people is that their attitude is "It's McIntosh or it's junk". Kinda like more affluent Bose-heads.

[Yesfan70]

I'm envious of those that can afford McIntosh equipment, but my limited experience with those people is that their attitude is "It's McIntosh or it's junk". Kinda like more affluent Bose-heads.


I don't think I could have said it better. ;)

[saea501]

I`m sure there are those of us that still dream about what our ultimate system would be, if our finances were not restricted. Likewise, those companies that we lust after, we would be knocking down their doors on a regular basis.

For me, that company has always been Mcintosh. After seeing those big beautiful amplifiers with the blue VU meters, how could you not fall in love. In fact, I recently found out they still give their 2hr. tour of their facility in Binghamton, Ny on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I plan to set up a time to go. It will take me about 3 hours from White Pains, NY.

Which brings me to their first mini-system?!! lol. At $7,500.00 theres nothing mini about it. But, how I would love to own it...................

http://hometheaterreview.com/mcintoshs-first-ever-integrated-audio-system-shipping-in-time-for-holidays-/

Easy....listen to them.

Ahhh......Mac and Bose.....a dream combination.

.....akkk......

[AllenW]

Ya, we had a guru say they were crap so of course nobody likes them...uh huh...personally years back I heard a Mac system and it sounded great, but what do I know...

Like say, if your considering them, try and go hear it first.

Al

[DIYer]

Ya, we had a guru say they were crap so of course nobody likes them...uh huh...personally years back I heard a Mac system and it sounded great, but what do I know...
Al, please tell me the truth, did you really read those links or did you look at them for a few seconds to see who the posters were?

[MatthewB]

I have heard McIntosh several times (we have a high end store that deal here in Tempe) and although the sound is very nice (smooth) the cost per benefit is waaaaaaaay overstreched. In fact with proper room acoustics you can easily get that McIntosh sound without spending uber gobs of money.

Yes they are pretty blue lights, but the money I save could be spent on better sound via speakers and acoustical treatment, not high end gear that gives you the "illusion" of better sound. Yes their gear and speakers are nice, but I also wonder how my Tempe store stays in business with so few customers, few people buying and very little people knowing of the stores existance, oh yeah that's right, HUGE PROFIT MARGINS!!!!

That and the elitist attitude of owners (cough Billie cough) without even trying to test other gear to see that cheaper gear could do the same exact thing.

[AllenW]

Al, please tell me the truth, did you really read those links or did you look at them for a few seconds to see who the posters were?

I remember them posts, I remember he had a older unit and was asked if it had been checked and no response I remember people posting a question about something and one of the two guru's telling them they were junk and that was the end of the posters comments and I remember people not comming back because of it.

And I remember people couldn't wait to buy the studio montiors (Mackies) because they were the "way" to go, and then one of the other gurus posting they weren't any good for HT, ya, there's a lot I remember.

I also remember I'd rather listen to a system that sounded good to me no matter what the specs or price on it, and that cheaper/better system people talk about may not be better to me.
Or somebody else.

Al

[AllenW]

Al, I'm not trying to start a shouting match but wanted to show that what you are saying is pretty much in sync with what's posted in that link.

Then my memory is fading faster than I thought...I read the first half, and assumed I remember the rest, my mistake.
Sorry

Al

[DIYer]

I remember them posts, I remember he had a older unit and was asked if it had been checked and no response I remember people posting a question about something and one of the two guru's telling them they were junk and that was the end of the posters comments and I remember people not comming back because of it.

And I remember people couldn't wait to buy the studio montiors (Mackies) because they were the "way" to go, and then one of the other gurus posting they weren't any good for HT, ya, there's a lot I remember.

I also remember I'd rather listen to a system that sounded good to me no matter what the specs or price on it, and that cheaper/better system people talk about may not be better to me.
Or somebody else.

Al
Al, I'm not trying to start a shouting match but wanted to show that what you are saying is pretty much in sync with what's posted in that link.

Personally, I don''t like current McIntosh amps because of their circuit design and disappointing sound to my ears.
personally years back I heard a Mac system and it sounded great

[Rope]

My budget nor income afford me the privilege of posting in this thread.

Rope

[MWP]

Matty: Are those reasons or excuses? -wink- I know one can't do much critical listening at CES year after year, but I've got a pretty open mind when listening to audio gear I can't afford. -smile-


OK, I'll admit it, owning Mac gear is just a cult thing. -LOL-

[Kai]

I've been a HiFi fan for over 30 years and honestly have no idea what I would want if price were no object.
I've seen and heard Mac's as well as several other high end brands and they all sounded great but to my "low/moderate budget ears/training/listening" I don't think it would matter all that much other than the visual effect...they all sound awesome.

A few months ago a HT podcast I was listening to spoke about a speaker company offering a set of speakers for $1,000,000. The host saw them and they filled a room with their size. They were also at the recent CES and were spoken about again. Would they be considered the "best" speakers in the world or only the "priceiest"?

If money was not an object I would have to start with the room. It's size, dimensions, acoustics, sound proofing, etc. would be as, if not more, important overall to the experience than the gear itself. It would need to be a pleasant environment, not garish, to enhance the audio/video experience.

I think, for me, the most fun would be auditioning the gear. Imagine the ability to travel around to the varied "sellers" to audition what is available while knowing you can actually buy the crap rather than the usual "lusting" but coming away empty most of us realize...lol. The planning and pursuit, for me, is more thrilling.

I'd love the ability to find the gear I want, design and build the room I want it in all without being cautious about the cost or haggling/looking for every inexpensive way out or around every step of the way. That would be wonderful.
I also occasionally daydream about what it must be like to walk into a car dealership, look at a car and say "I'll take it, here is the money, deliver it here on such and such a day" then walk out.
Ah, daydreams are wonderful.

[topper]

-McIntosh-
*Probably the best brand in audio... PERIOD. McIntosh makes the best
electronics in the world. Both of the stuff that they make for home audio
and car audio is simply unmatched. McIntosh also makes products with
the lowest possible distortion that you can find. Their motto is to make
products with the lowest possible distortion. McIntosh however accomplishes
more than that. Their receivers that I have seen create amazing sound. It's very
realistic sound, feels like I'm there. Their amplifiers rock. Remember, do your
research. McIntosh doesn't come cheap, their components are all premium
quality, and you pay a hefty price for that. If you can afford it though, it's well
worth it. I can safely say that McIntosh is the best company in the world
regarding audio products.

Source ~ http://www99.epinions.com/content_1988862084 (http://www99.epinions.com/content_1988862084)

Opinions on several other top end brand names given as well.
Of course, this is only one evaluation among many hundreds . . .

Don't be just another sheep in the herd. Do extensive research, comparison,
and auditioning. Evaluate others' opinions and suggestions, but ultimately
make your own decisions.
In the end, if a component meets your standards of quality, performance, features, and
quality of sound, and fits into your budget ~ buy it and enjoy!

This may be very time consuming, but ultimately well worth every hour spent.

http://www.cyberisle.com/animate/people/groucho.gif

[Coytee]

For me, that company has always been Mcintosh. After seeing those big beautiful amplifiers with the blue VU meters, how could you not fall in love.

I too think they are beautiful amps. I still remember the first time I ever saw a MC-2102 lit up from across the room.....truely love at first sight.

I have since, owned a pair of MC-30's (pristine I might add, also were gone through by Terry DeWick so they were in great shape electronically). I have also owned my beloved MC-2102. Those two are the limit of my experience, owning McIntosh amps.

They were mated with a pair of Klipschorns (modified with some JBL 2404 tweeters and ALK extreme slope crossovers). Later, the MC-2102 was put into biamp duty, working only the HF horns on my Klipsch Jubilees, leaving LF duty to first, a dbx BX1 amp and later on (now) a Crown K2.

To cut to the chase... I have sold my MC-30's and my MC-2102 and although I miss some of the romance of them or the raw beauty of the 2102, I do not miss them otherwise. I have NO problems with their sound however, I had a pair of Transcendent SE-OTL amps (bridged to 4 watts/channel) on my Khorns and felt the OTL amps easily bested virtually every other amp I had for their spooky real sound. Even my wife and her sister (who both think anything larger than a bose cube speaker is a punk teenager redneck speaker) stopped at dinner one night and made a comment on just how lifelike the system sounded.

I did not feel the extra cost of the McIntosh amps, correlated with any extra sound quality. In fact, I felt it was the other way around. I was able to get better sound quality (IMHO) with the OTL amps. I figured I was letting several thousands of dollars simply sit on my shelf because of a name rather than performance (which I reiterate, was NOT bad in any way, shape or form).

Today, all the McIntosh amps are gone, even the little OTL amps are gone. They didn't have enough power for my uses.

Now, I'm biamping (vertically) with two Crown K2's and although might not have quite the same sound quality that the little OTL had, when I ask myself is it worth having several thousands of dollars in my pocket to give up 5% of the (excellent) sound quality I had, the answer is easy!

Had the sound difference been commensurate with the expense difference, I would probably still have the Mac's.

[MatthewB]

I'll admit Mac gear is gorgeous but still not worth the cost of the small "improvemnets" in sound when more could be done to the room itself for far lass and with lesser gear. But sure is purdy.

Pics stolen off AVS.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/btf1980/DSC_0063-2.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/btf1980/DSC_0066-1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/btf1980/DSC_0072-1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/btf1980/DSC_0067-2.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a114/btf1980/DSC_0040-4.jpg

[Yesfan70]

They look cool and sound great, but way overpriced imo. I once heard a couple of B&W setups at this store in Nashville. One had a Mac amp and the other had a cheaper Musical Fidelity amp hook up to it. I can't remember the price differences but I know the MF was a LOT cheaper and sounded about the same. Speakers were B&W's CDM 7NT back then.

[DIYer]

I'll admit Mac gear is gorgeous
Well, Matt, as they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I don't think they look good and that's why you like girls (& HM) with big boobs and I like girls with tight @ss. ;)

[MatthewB]

Yeah DIYer, but you can't motoboat a$$...well you can but the results may not be what you hoped for.

http://gifattack.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/vince-vaughn-motorboat.gif


http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff136/n00bvak/random/motorboat.jpg

[saea501]

McIntosh

When looks are more important than sound.