Mcintosh - Love Em' or Hate Em' ......Why?

Those transformer outputs on their solid state equipment are enough to scare anyone away.

I always disliked their equipment because I found it to be very distorted and unclear. Through a recent post someone commented that this happens when they are pushed to a high volume. I cant say that is the reason for sure but its quite possible. I like my music VERY LOUD.

I love Martin Logans but I never bought them for the same reason. At lower volumes they are magical but that large flat tweeter doesnt like the compresion created by loud volume.

For years I used two Mc 2105's to drive my speakers. I then tried one Krell KST100. This, at the time, was the smallest and cheapest amp that Krell had made. Comparing the two was a "no-brainer" ... The Krell blew away the Mac's.

I have owned Krell ever since! I now use two big stereo Krell amps along with my other Krell gear. I could never go back!

Richard

While i don't know anyone running Mac tube gear, the folks that i know that have tried their SS power amps found them to be pathetically poor performers. As Bob mentioned, it may be the fact that they use output transformers ala tube gear. Either way, it's like anything else. Listen to it in your system and see if it floats your boat. Sean
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As I said before, I find Mc equipement wonderful. I love the look and I love the sound. I like Krell, and ML, ok but I find they have a generally dry sound compared to Mc. That said, I think dismissing a maker altogether is ridiculous.

Also, many of you just don't understand electronics. Maybe I have been dealing with it way more than most as an electronics engineer but the Mcintosh Autoformers are an incredible concept and IMO work incredibly well. Wound bifilar wire can have fantastic properties if well designed (a difficult thing to maintain excellent bandwidth) and the fact that it can be tapped for no power drop (although this is also circuit related) at any ohms is incredible! I think most "audiophiles" believe that transformers are old-fashioned (guess what your power supply is?). Well if that is the case, why are tubes still used at all? Ignorance is bliss and I will forever argue in Mcintosh's defense.

To Drrdiamond: I also find the Mc2105s as not too good but nothing is perfect - a fact to remember.

Arthur