6 Reasons Why McIntosh Amplifiers are one of the BEST in the world

Audiophile amplifiers ! Why McIntosh amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, etc is considered one of the best in high-end audio

speaker stands I use:

#hifi #Mcintosh #audiophile

[Jayiyagi]

I made a bet with thujan. He says that if this video gets over 500 likes, I have to make videos talking about individual components I've listened to over the years.

[rancosteel]

I took a 4 hour drive to the McIntosh factory for a tour with my wife in 2015. The great thing about their components is they can service and restore any model from any year which is rare. They let me photograph anything I wanted which was a plus.

[tkhubb]

I have an MC 2105 from late 60’s. Still rocking after all these years.

[glenncurry]

I was getting ready to disagree with a post raving about McIntosh. Until I heard the order and comment you make about it.

#1 Resale value. Great first reason since sound quality is not it! I can actually agree with this! Screw sound, it's a financial investment!

#2 McIntosh sound. Yes, it is not about superior sonic performance. It is about the well known sonic anomalies expected. Something LIKE a good tube amp. If that is what you enjoy, knock yourself out!

#3 "Your buying it for the meters". Almost spit my mouth full of coffee out on this one! I was a Rep back in the '70's for top branded Audio equipment travelling 6 states. One Mac shop I called on had the best explanation when asked why they sell it. It was a college town. When a guy with a trimmed beard walks in with patches on their sweater he leads them to the Macs, turns it on and when the big blue meters shine, the guy just pulls out his check book!

#4 transformers. HK's Citation had a much wider bandwidth transformer. Dynaco's sounded better. Mac's screwed up the damping factor giving the fatter low end. And to intentionally do that to a solid state amp that not only does not need, but is worse with an output transformer just to give the "sound"?

As I have gotten older, I find what I learned way back then to still be true. However I have become far more accepting with the concept that not everybody pursues the same subjects for the same reasons or with the same biases and desired end results. There is a reason McDonald's is the #1.

[Wised]

A little history lesson. The Carver transfer function amplifiers 1.0t and 1.5 t were not tailored to imitate McIntosh, they were tailored to imitate Mark Levinson and Conrad Johnson. I owned a 1.0t.
Lastly Mcintosh simply uses basic electronic principles that have been around since the 50's and 60's and builds them like a tank. Physics then and physics now are the same. They simply build pretty boxes that provide very large amounts of currents without distorting the signal. There is no magic, just good fundamental engineering applied to uncompromising build quality. Its called craftsmanship. No reason to reinvent the wheel if the wheel you came up with is essentially perfect.

[trekjudas]

Macs look gorgeous. There is a pride that comes from owning one.

[jonpatrick]

Great video. I've owned Mcintosh gear, amp and pre-amp, since 2008 and I love them. They sound has kept me happy and content since day one. And they are reliable work horses that I keep on all night every night and the only thing I change the tubes in the pre-, amp from time to time. Very happy owner 😊

[denniswaske]

got my c28/2105 used in 1972. am listening to them today, never been serviced.

[victorchiappetta]

I’m a nube audiophile. Starting my search for a high end system. Every time I hear a Mac amp, I’m stopped in my tracks. This is how high end should sound is what I am thinking. I heard $2800 Sonus Faber speakers through the MA352 and I was in love.

[jarrodpenwarden]

I’m driving my JBL L300’s with a pair of MC-30’s & MX-110 Preamp. Loving the sound every time I fire it up!

[samlee]

I think it's cute Jay is copying Steve's hair, like father like son 🤗

[stevenbarall]

I love the content but I also really appreciate that you take the time to make you videos look and sound great. It's amazing how many audio related videos sound like crap.

[gdowns]

I own a lot of Mc gear some inherited from my Dad. I agree with your comments. I have an MC2205 set up along side Pass Class A. There are so many reasons to own the Mc gear besides whether it sounds better than X. ... because, let’s face it, sometimes it doesn’t sound better.

[farms]

jay, you nailed the reasons why i bought mcintosh gear

[stevezeidman]

Jay, I’ve got 2 vintage McIntosh amps. They are both from the mid 80s. MC2155 with output transformers (autoformers) and MC2002 direct coupled. Your description of the 2155 with the autoformer sounds exactly as you described. Luscious in the midrange and bass. The direct coupled 2002 is a bit different. It is very detailed and open. It’s bass is also a bit quicker too. It’s overall sound is still McIntosh because the midrange is still beautiful. Lastly, thanks for doing this video. McIntosh is rarely mentioned by YouTubers.

[lextek.]

Years ago Bob Carver made a challenge to the audio industry in general that he could make any one of his amplifiers sound like any other manufacturer's amplifier regardless of cost. I forget what the prize was if he lost the challenge was if he failed, but I recall it was a hefty sum. Many trials have been held and he never lost one comparison. The challenge stands to this day. Basically, he did it by measuring and employing the transfer function (or null comparisons) of the test amp and his amp. This is the short answer, there's more here: And here was Carver in 1985 cleverly showing that two amplifiers which measured reasonably well, sounded differently. We should also be in awe of Carver's ability to shape the transfer function on the fly. That's pretty remarkable too but not the scope of this post.

My point is, really, Carver showed us a revolutionary way to examine differences between gear in 1985 and yet ... it did not become widespread. << insert endless screaming here >>

As far as I know very few manufacturers of any bit of kit or cable took this technique up. We are still stuck in 1985 for specifications, measurements and lack of understanding of what measures cause what effects and end up cycling through cables and amps based on a great deal of uncertainty. Carver's approach was to feed a speaker via both amps at the same time using opposite terminals. The speaker itself was the measure of accuracy. Any difference in output between the two amplifiers would cause audible output.

What's super important here is Carver invented a new way to measure the relative difference of amplifiers with a real load.

My points, in summary:

Most of what we consider state-of-the-art measurements are stuck in the 1970s.
1. There are a number of ways to improve upon them
2. No one has.
3. We should be a little more humble when asserting if it can't be measured it isn't audible because our measurements are not nearly comprehensive.
I look forward to manufacturers or hobbyists to pursue new measurement and new insights into our hobby.

[Sams]

the combination of my MC462 amp and C1100 pre-amp is astounding! Astounding! Those extra transformers DO make a difference!

[TheSourceAVDesignGroup]

Typically I don’t comment on videos. I don’t know this person. I should disclose we are a McIntosh Reference Platinum dealer for many years. As a McIntosh fan for 55 years I have enjoyed McIntosh and other very great brands. This commentary is a very good introduction to the McIntosh legacy. Very accurate overview.

[danielesbordone]

If you like that clean soft sound, McIntosh is the amp for you. If you prefer quick and punchy, Bryston might be a better choice. Sound is like food, everybody has different tastes.

[Billfish]

I have never regretted buying high quality anything, however, I have regretted several times buying low quality because I thought it would save me money, but it never did for more than a day, after the day you buy something on the cheap side, it starts to cost you. After years of dreaming about owning a McIntosh power amp, I finely got my chance, I bought some used gear and after a year, sold it and bought a new MC-602, 2 X 600 and then increased my Mac gear until my entire system is now McIntosh and I have loved it every day since and so does everyone that comes over, it's fun to show people what music can sound like, but I got it all for me. Save up, buy used at first if you need to, then move up to exactly what you want. I like the way I went with a big 2 channel amp for stereo listening and then got a 5 channel 5 X 200 for my surround sound movies and music, then a Mac sub woofer too. Found a MX 151 used for a great price, it can be done, if you really want it. They just don't break and hold value like nothing else out there. After 20 years, I can sale my amp for about what I paid for it new, but I never will.