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Back in the late 80's, when I was shopping around for my first real "HI-FI" audio system, I had auditioned some McIntosh gear which looked and sounded real nice but was outside my budget.
I'm now looking at simplifying my setup (going from separates to integrated) since I will soon be moving into a smaller home and was wondering if the McIntosh gear is considered "HI-FI".
I've read lots of great reviews on the McIntosh MC275 power amp but I've never seen any of the other McIntosh gear (integrated amps, CD players, turntables, speakers, etc.) make it on any Recommended Components list like the ones published by Stereophile.
So is the McIntosh gear any good or is it one of those companies that's lost focus and simply mass-producing "OK" audio gear?
Follow Ups:
if you want a good modern Integrated amp I have auditioned the new Arcam A49 made in Rochester N.Y. and it is excellent with Sonus Faber Guanari however you should try it for yourself.
Edits: 09/30/14 09/30/14 10/01/14
When I read something like this: "I'm now looking at simplifying my setup (going from separates to integrated) since I will soon be moving into a smaller home and was wondering if the McIntosh gear is considered "HI-FI"."So, the home you are moving into is sooooo small that having a separate amp and preamp would seriously impinge upon your living space? That must be one hell of a small house! I could understand downsizing speakers to better fit a small room, but electronics? Come on....
Secondly, yes, McIntosh is most decidedly "hi-fi". Despite the protestations of some of the snootier inmates, Mac makes very nice, good sounding gear. Is it the best? No. Is it very good? Yes! Does it hold its value better than almost anything else? Most definitely.
Go ahead and get some Mac gear if you can afford it. And get separates if you can afford them, the additional space they take up will make no practical difference in your smaller home...
-RW-
Edits: 09/25/14
Mac has always had the "lure" of the looks. Kinda like looking at a pretty girl and ignoring her personality.You mention simplifying and going with an integrated amp. But you are referring to separate components. Mac makes some nice stuff, not my taste, but heck, others like it. But I've always felt Mac never made a good integrated amp.
If you're looking for an integrated take some time a look at all your options.
Again you have to list YOUR needs and wants. Heck, if it's purely looks and background listening - than Mac's your brand. If musical sound is your main need - research some more.
Just been there with about a dozen mac pieces - and back.
charles
Edits: 09/25/14
"But I've always felt Mac never made a good integrated amp.
If you're looking for an integrated take some time a look at all your options."
Okay, so you're not a big fan of Mac integrateds. This begs the question: do you have suggestions that are better? Thanks.
YES!
Mac gear is among the best. There's a lot of chic botique gear out there, but Macintosh is your all-around, dependable gold standard for excellent audio gear. AND it's made in NY state.
It's not compact though. Mac gear is well built with quality parts and is huge compared to most audio gear. Better make sure it will fit in your home if you are moving into a smaller place.
I don't know where you live, but my "local" Mac dealer, Auidio Classics will gladly let you audition any gear you plan to purchase - in a quiet, undisturbed room if one's available, and it usually is.
But yes. Mac gear is very nice to listen to whether it's tube or solid state.
Adam
“I was born not knowing and have only had a little time to change that here and there.” Richard Feynman
Excellent, SS amplifiers included.
Dodging bullets is the next best thing to not having to.
1954 McIntosh basically invents the term High fidelity because of the low distortion from its tube products.
H.A. Hartley was the man who coined the term High Fidelity, as for McIntosh my experience is only with a large tube amplifier with colored sound , high distortion & Large Vitrually Useless VU meters.. antique Tube amps IMO belong in the past.
Edits: 10/01/14 10/01/14
That's good to know and a good history lesson. Not sure what it has to do with current products.
No, it s sucks...lol.......
For once I agree with tuna.
And since you are a lobotomy patient you had no clue I was being sarcastic.
Don't be a hater tuna!
Now they just need to take out the other half of your brain and finish the job.
Now head back to the mall and man your post.
I've been a McIntosh owner and fan for over 35 yrs, is it any good? I think it is one of the best made stereo gear out there, I had components that were over 30 yrs old some I bought new and never had a failure, and resale value is second to none. I have owned several pre-amps and amps, and also currently have a MVP871 cd-dvd player.
Now with that said, I have changed my amps due to the fact that I have Magnepan speakers which have a major need for power and current, in this case I found a much better match (Sanders Magtech) for them. When I did change amp brands I noticed that I had lost some of the "warm sound", I switched to a tube pre-amp (yes McIntosh) and problem solved.
.
I would echo airtime -
Listen for what YOU like - what works well with your other components-
I currently have two McIntosh Tuners - the 74 & 77 both are - to my ears - excellent tuners and worth the money-
I recently purchased a c-28 primarily for my 'house' system - not the main rig-
when I auditioned it I was quite impressed.
There are many that support/vote for the 225 and 240, I also think that the MC-30 & 60 mono amps are quite good (I have a pair of 30's awaiting re-build)
Happy listening
It's also expensive, and it'll last forever with normal care, and resale
values tend to hold up fairly well.
BUT!
For the same or less money, you can get gear that sounds and performs much
much better. And you can use leftover funds to buy more music!
McIntosh is a taste. I was never a fan of their SS gear. Even their newer stuff.
However I've never had my hands on their tubed gear. But I hear it's quite good.
If you have the money then take the time to find the stereo that's right for you.
List your likes, wants, speakers and sources. And see if we can recommend something you like. While not getting ripped off and going on the stereo merry-go-round at this point in your life.
On option, that I took, was to find a good vintage tube stereo. And have it professionally rebuilt by Mike Samra.
Also a great option to look into.
charles
The 275 and its tubed cousins like the 225 and 240 are still great power amps and very worthy of including in a top-notch system today.
I'm not overly impressed by McIntosh's solid-state amplifiers. They seem to be stable and reliable but they just don't provide anything 'special' when it comes to the sound they deliver, IMO.
BTW - I owned a 2105 for about five years. It was okay, but not anything spectacular.
Cheers,
Al
I've got an MC275 IV circa 2006 that is superb. Every time I go to audio shoppes and hear other McIntosh gear, I think it also sounds really good. I think they are still the real deal. Pretty expensive, though. An option that is also excellent and much less expensive would be the reissued Dynaco gear that is available kit or fully assembled.
Edits: 09/24/14
If you want SS gear that has some warmth the McIntosh stuff is great. I really like my Mc C-32 and MC 2205. I had a friends newer Bryston in system for a month. When he got back from vacation we took an evening and compared, along with another audio friend. We all preferred the Mc stuff. If you can get an in home listening audition, I wouldn't be surprised if you chose Mc also. I would love to bi-amp with my MC2205 and a Mc tube amp.
bigshow
Last night The Sound Environment had a McIntosh event, and I was very impressed by the C2500 pre and the 275 amp into Audio Physic speakers...
Also heard their new headphones, very good!
McIntosh is very good these days!
Had Mac SS before.
LOVE the tube sound!
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