Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

They do - but won't tell everyone. Perhaps because most audio-enthusiasts are kind of 'nerds' ?

Sorry to say this - I own McINtosh for about 8 yers now - but owning a Mac makes talking about it redundant. It just asks to be listened to and people owning a Mac don't have time talking about it, they use their time listening to music. In fact, a McIntosh amplifier makes frends redundant. Perhaps owning a Mac makes you a nerd ?

Now enough of this. Here is my experience :

I got the MA6400, a 2x100 Watt at 4 Ohm integrated amp, to play with JBL Ti5000 speakers. Yes, it did lack some power, therefor I now upgraded to the MA6900.

Though, the MA6400 still delivers every bit of grat sound to my old Infinity's 6i, a pair of JBL L112's or a pair of old BnW Transmissionlines.

I had a Vincent on the JBL's, great power but less detail of musicality. I compared with serveral amps and NONE of them had the detail and musicality of the Mac.

So, yes, they are real good amplifiers. They sound the best - you can't find anything wrong about the sond - and so it makes them difficult to talk about.

Perhaps that is why audio-enthousiasts don't talk about them but you can be sure... They do own them !

"10-16-06: Pawlowski6132
Anyone ever see a reputable speaker manufacturer or other high end manufacturer using McIntosh in their demo rooms at any of the shows??? Me neither.

Why do you think that is??"

Because it is second rate?

Not second rate at all. McIntosh simply does not license too many outlets in any given area.

You need to find your closest outlet.

Jc51373, I disagree with you. Yes there have been reputable speaker companies using Mac. in shows, Eggleston Works being one.

To make such a bold statement tells me allot.

Last year I bought a second hand VPI TNT III turntable with graham 2.2 tonearm( 3000 $ with VPI stand and SDS !).
Totaly ignorant about how vinyl sounds compare to CD and SACD, having a system composed of Audio Research LS 25 linestage, VT 100 amp, esoteric DV 50 digital and Martin Logan Ascent i speakers, I decided to buy a MC 275 because it has (beside excellent reputation) gain control and with a Jan Allaerts MC 1 MKII cartridge and graham slee elevator+era gold V direct in the MC 275
the sound is so pure and detailled that I don't listen to digital any more !
The sound through the ARC preamp is much less accurate.
So my advice is to avoid any linestage and to connect your phonostage directly
to the amp, and the MC 275 does a marvelous job with Graham slee phono pre for a reasonable price ( 3500 $ + 1500 $)
Now I have a nice collection of 2000 LP jazz and don't spend any more money in hardware upgrading, the only backside is that I became a Vinyl addict !!!
Cheers to you all from Brussels!
Jean