does McIntosh make really good 4 channel amps?
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,026
Originally posted by sac:
My beef with Mac is that the buyer is paying for a reputation and for marketing, and for the ability to make friends jealous; that is money that ISN'T going into componentry or design.
My beef with Mac is that the buyer is paying for a reputation and for marketing, and for the ability to make friends jealous; that is money that ISN'T going into componentry or design.
I beg to differ, the money DOES go into componentry. If the money didn't go into componentry, they NEVER would have been able to establish a reputation for themselves. The engineers have spent countless hours designing and redesigning boards to reduce noise, increase clarity etc; and they have carefully chosen the components that go inside to ensure clarity. Yes, the money you pay does not equal the cost of the stuff inside, but you do need to understand the cost of electronic research to ensure the best sound to make a great reputation for themselves. The engineers have spent many hours going over the products with a fine tooth comb, and that means additional money is needed to pay them for the fine product.
You get what you pay for is 100% true.
Yankee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
Clarion does not own McIntosh. The same fine folks who have brought you Denon and Marantz now own McIntosh. All existing McIntosh products were designed and built while owned by Clarion. The product, for now, are still being manufactured by McIntosh
The sound of McIntosh amps... I have lots opinions from personal experience. I think McIntosh is good stuff and is built to last. I do not think the performance justifies the price, UNLESS you don’t think it’s expensive. I found the McIntosh MC431 to be soft and not very detailed in the HF. I found the amps protection circuit works very well (while doing the SPL pass at a SQ competition several times)... their products meet but do not exceed the posted ratings. On the positive side the amps with the meters installed are THE BEST looking amps made period, the fan is quiet (not silent), and when I sold my McIntosh amp, and went to my current amp, I gained transparency, HF extension, head room, and detail what did I loose... I lost what I considered to be the best Mid-bass impact/detail available. I can not emphasize how good the midbass on the Mac was... it was complete control of the midbass driver and I have considered buying another mac to run the midbass on an all active setup.
I agree with the maltesechicken post above, if the mac was a little better in the HF I would say it is a bargan but for now I consider it expensive as a midbass amp. Hey it might be just the ticket for a vehicle with too much sizzle
[ July 21, 2004, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: JohnVroom ]
The sound of McIntosh amps... I have lots opinions from personal experience. I think McIntosh is good stuff and is built to last. I do not think the performance justifies the price, UNLESS you don’t think it’s expensive. I found the McIntosh MC431 to be soft and not very detailed in the HF. I found the amps protection circuit works very well (while doing the SPL pass at a SQ competition several times)... their products meet but do not exceed the posted ratings. On the positive side the amps with the meters installed are THE BEST looking amps made period, the fan is quiet (not silent), and when I sold my McIntosh amp, and went to my current amp, I gained transparency, HF extension, head room, and detail what did I loose... I lost what I considered to be the best Mid-bass impact/detail available. I can not emphasize how good the midbass on the Mac was... it was complete control of the midbass driver and I have considered buying another mac to run the midbass on an all active setup.
I agree with the maltesechicken post above, if the mac was a little better in the HF I would say it is a bargan but for now I consider it expensive as a midbass amp. Hey it might be just the ticket for a vehicle with too much sizzle
[ July 21, 2004, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: JohnVroom ]
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MacIntosh amps are good, appearance is amazing.
As for them being more 'audiophile' than other amps, I seriously doubt it BUT they DEFINITELY look higher quality and they are probably amongst the most reliable amps around. For $600 for a 50 x 4 (which I presume is actually a very conservative rating) I would say that it is too much. But, if you REALLY want the look, I guess you'll be paying the price.
As for them being more 'audiophile' than other amps, I seriously doubt it BUT they DEFINITELY look higher quality and they are probably amongst the most reliable amps around. For $600 for a 50 x 4 (which I presume is actually a very conservative rating) I would say that it is too much. But, if you REALLY want the look, I guess you'll be paying the price.
Yankee
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
^ And a happy one because you know you are buying it for appearance not performance... I think is a good amp, a well made amp, a beautiful amp, but its price to watt ratio is a little lean.
BTW what marketing has McIntosh done? I can’t remember seeing many ads in the last couple years. Mac has ALWAYS been a love it or leave it kind of company. The only preconceived impression anyone has of Mac is either an "it must sound good because it is a McIntosh" or "it must sound like crap because of Clarion".
BTW what marketing has McIntosh done? I can’t remember seeing many ads in the last couple years. Mac has ALWAYS been a love it or leave it kind of company. The only preconceived impression anyone has of Mac is either an "it must sound good because it is a McIntosh" or "it must sound like crap because of Clarion".
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