Classic McIntosh sound?

Sent to the factory for work? I am on my third McIntosh and none of them ever needed anything. I agree that even the direct-coupled versions sound similar to the autoformer ones. A little laid back, warm, emotional, coherent, and very full are the ways I hear McIntosh sound. It turns out to be my favorite type too. Lucky me! Arthur

Hello,

I owned the same Mac gear since 1976. (C28 pre amp and 2205 amp) and have just upgraded to Herron equipment. The Mac is built like a tank (only one trip in 25 yrs. to service for current upgrades from service bulletins). The sound is warm, less three demensional than the newer gear and the bass is less defined and doesn't go as low as my current system. What other product can you get so much trouble free enjoyment out of and sell it for the same price as you paid for it? I have great respect for Mac gear.

Goose, how does it compare to Herron?

I've owned/used an MC7200, MC2100, and the MC250 over the years, and all these SS amps have the classic tube-like warmth and neutrality of a great vacuum tube amplifier. The only amps that can sound warmer (ie: more tube-like) than any SS Mac is an actual McIntosh tube amp!

To me, the classic McIntosh sound is accuracy; being faithful to the recording without drawing any attention onto itself. What you hear is the music in all its original, uncolored glory. Whether it's solid-state or driven by vacuum tubes, direct coupled or uses autoformers, all McIntosh amplifiers possess this ability to make the best recordings you own a truely "live" experience! They're that good!

Budrew

Compared to my Herron tube pre amp and solid state mono amps the McIntosh gear is not as good. I don't have that much experience with the new Mac gear and like I stated my Mac gear was old. The Herron equipment is more open, has better placement of specific insturments has better defined, tighter and lower bass. The treble is more grain free and more extended. Of course these are subjective comments and I was very familiar with the my Mac equipment since I owned it for 27 years. Also the Herron equipment is much more expensive than my old Mac gear so it's not really fair to compare the two. Like I said, the Mac gear was no slouch but IMO the Herron gear betters it in all areas.