Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

Hi, I'm a big fan of McIntosh gear and have been for over a decade.

My McIntosh MC7300 amp was originally bought by my father in the early 90s and I'm still enjoying it as much as I was back then. The logo bulb finally burnt out after 12 years of use and they fixed it for free AND paid for UPS 2day back and forth!!! Where have you heard of a company fixing 12 year old, out of warranty equipment for free including shipping? (this amp weighs almost 100lbs)

There are many fans of McIntosh, many even call it a cult. A high-end audio can not stay in business for over half a century without any fans. Listen to them yourself, you just might like it.

I definitely don't belong in the "lazy" category (as described by Szutinglee). My choice was based on research and lots of listening. I upgraded from mid-fi Arcam integrated/amp bi-amp combo to a simple MA 6200 Integrated. I went with Mac for improved sound, customer service, the look and vibe (I wanted the simplicity of an integrated and couldn't hang with another skinny little plastic box that would be out of syle in 6 months).

The only other experience I ever had with Mac gear was at The Hit Factory studios in NYC- some of the rooms used big ol' solid stade Mac amps. I was amazed at the improvement in sound quality from the Arcam bi-amp setup that I was using before - I would like to move up to seperates. Mac isn't the last word in HiFi, but I still think they have a place among serious listeners.

My own experince: I used to work at a store which sold both Mac and Sunfire, among others. We demoed these lots and the Mac kills the Sunfire. No doubts. However, Mac tube gear with the stock tubes (275 2102...) was killed by a Air tight amp we brought in one day.

Just our experince at the store.

Drken

Recently, I stopped in to listen to the McIntosh MA2275 Integrated at a local dealer. It was thrilling! Some forty years has passed since I last listened to tubes – a product of a home brewing friend of my father’s. In that instant, I knew what had been lost (at least, for me) over all those years to solid state “cleanliness” and digital “convenience”.

To be sure, this Mac incorporates elements of all three in its presentation, but its output is pure, warm analogue. At $6200, it comes in at five times what I can afford, but that McIntosh audition sure pointed the way for me in a quest for affordable tube audio. Mac is back – and back as a class act.

I had not seen this thread before and found it fascinating reading as I have owned a Mac in the past, MA6500, which being an entry-level integrated, may cause some to argue it is not a "real Mac".

Anyway, I did like its sound. I did like its looks. I had to sell because it was underpowered, which seemed funny given its 200 wpc rating, and I am now using a 100 wpc amp which performs better into high volumes.

But reading the above made me think about why I liked it... and that is that it was easy to listen to! I think they deliberately avoid audiophile characteristics so that much analysis is not done to the sound. Even mags like Sterophile say things like "it didn't seem to have much detail, but it wasn't missing any either" (not a direct quote, just from my memory of the 501 review). Huh? Either it has the detail or it doesn't, no? But then again those guys are masters of equivocation.

Back to Mac... I think the 'lazy' comment does have some validity. These are people pleased by other things, but what is wrong with that? They like the look. They like showing it off to their friends (it has to be admitted that they look impressive, and expensive. Guaranteed to impress the unwashed masses). I had a party at my place during the time I owned the 6500 and it was all "oohs" and "aahs", and I hadn't even turned on the damn thng yet! And not one of these people had ever heard one before, but had heard OF Mac.

So if I appear to have contradicted myself, so be it. I did 'like' the sound. I did not 'admire' the sound. Which is better? Horses for courses, as they say.

Mac makes a good living out of its image and its sound. Let's grant them their niche and admit they do the Bose thing very well, and btw were doing it before Bose was in diapers.

Oh, as to reliability, the 6500 I bought was a dealer demo. It was shipped to me with one bulb burned out, less than 1 year old.

As to the Mac lovers not frequenting this site, who the heck are all those people who posted "I love my Mac" or similar?