Is McIntosh WORTH THE MONEY? McIntosh Review!! MAC7200 Stereo Receiver

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► TESTING THE MCINTOSH STEREO RECEIVER

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► MCINTOSH REVIEW - MAC7200 STEREO RECEIVER

I know you guys are excited for this one! After all, finding a McIntosh review on YouTube is rare. We set out to answer the question "is McIntosh worth the money" and HiFi praise it receives from the audiophile community. We tested the MAC7200 performance with Monitor Audio, Klipsch and Focal speakers and compared the McIntosh stereo system to other high end audio amplifiers to find out if McIntosh is the best amplifier!

00:00 MCINTOSH MAC700 REVIEW
01:41 MCINTOSH MAC7200 SPECS
02:56 MCINTOSH DA1 VS DA2 MODULE
03:17 MCINTOSH MAC7200 TUNER
03:48 MCINTOSH AMPLIFIER DESIGN
04:48 BEST HIFI EQUIPMENT TO USE WITH MCINTOSH AMPS
05:57 MCINTOSH MAC7200 SOUND QUALITY
10:20 MCINTOSH 7200 ISSUES
11:50 MCINTOSH VS TECHNICS R1000
12:40 MCINTOSH 7200 VS MUSICAL FIDELITY M8XI
13:19 MCINTOSH VS CANOR
14:43 KRISTI'S MCINTOSH REVIEW

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[andrewrobinsonreviews]

🔥Thanks to Keeps for supporting the channel! For more info: keeps.com/AndrewRobinson
★ *QOTD: What’s the best McIntosh amp ever made? Is the brand deserving of its audiophile praise?*
★ *RULES: Please be respectful. NO OUTSIDE LINKS, URLs, email addresses, etc.*

[markwilliford]

Also, regarding the QOTD, I am a Mac owner, and have also owned Sansui and two different NAD receiver/ integrated amps. The McIntosh Amps I’ve owned are the 70’s MC2100 - passed down to me from my Uncle, passed down from me to my son, and still “commanding woofers” like a mini substation. Next for me came the MC352. This was a late 90’s amp that was purchased NOS in 2010. It was more refined than the 2100, and it too was a sound revolution for my system. I’m now running an MC462 and it seemingly combines the best qualities of both predecessor amps. It has scary-articulate bass, fantastic clarity, and extremely present mids. No regrets - at age 60, this may be my last amp. Is it worth the money? Clearly, it is not at face value the champion of sound quality per dollar spent. Exaggerating the point, the first NAD I owned - the 3020 - purchased for $220 in 1980 probably can’t be beat for value. But going to the other end of the scale, the MC462 just takes your sound enjoyment to another level. Something to consider with McIntosh, that even elevates it above many other high-end brands, is resale value. If you buy Mac and later decide you don’t like it fir some reason, or more likely, want to move on up in the line, you will recover a much more substantial percentage of your initial investment than you will with most other brands. Also, it is built to last generations (this applies to McIntosh with the stainless steel bases - less so to units with black painted metal bases) and does in fact last generations - usefully.

[arobinson]

Hi Andrew, as a proud owner of the MAC7200 I was happy and surprised to see your review of McIntosh equipment. Over the 40 years that been into audio equipment I’ve owned all types of high end (Audio Research, Bryston, Conrad Johnson, Krell, Meridian, Peachtree Audio, and several others) amplifiers.

However, I can truly say that the MAC7200 is the best sounding Integrated Amplifier that I’ve ever owned. Like you I also own the Klipsch Forte IV and the MAC7200 takes their sound to another level. But it wasn’t until last night when I decided to hook up the MAC7200 to an older pair Martin Logan’s that I realized it’s a very special piece of audio equipment!!! Yes the MAC7200 is big/heavy and expensive but it’s worth every penny. Also, the less expensive MA5300 is great sounding Integrated Amplifier.

Lastly, McIntosh is probably the only audio equipment that holds its value and in some cases appreciates over the years. Thanks again for you and Kristi’s great reviews. Anthony

[pf]

I could care less about all the negative comments about McIntosh. I love my McIntosh system and, “ You’ll have tear it away from my cold dead hands.” Best money I’ve ever spent.

[grandmasteraj]

Imagine buying this thing to LISTEN TO FM RADIO.

[dont]

I have a Macintosh Ma6100 amp bought in 1974 for 649.00. It is still in daily use today, handles high resolution music files with ease, and HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICED. YES, MACS ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY

[timkampmann]

Mr. Robinson is one of the best reviewers on YOU TUBE . His easy going style with a way of reporting the information one wants in a product. So glad I found the channel .. .

[calebparker]

Just wanted to say I really appreciate this channel and all the information you put into each video. Helped me pick out my first turntable and a stereo setup for it. Knew nothing about the world of audio when I started watching. Thanks!

[GrindCityGuitars]

I think an interesting comparison to the 7200 would be the Hegel H390. 250 wpc of good clean power, inky black background, well dampened bass, killer DAC, etc.

[johnson]

The first time I heard a Macintosh system, I knew I would own one someday. Years later, my music room has two Mc275's, a C2700 and a MT5. (I recently sold my MR88. Great product, but I didn't use it much). The joy that this system gives me is hard to explain.

[Z]

Just discovered your channel. Very nice production value. Very approachable manner of explaining the tech to someone like me.

[nateb]

My grandfather bought a used McIntosh system in either the late 60’s or early 70’s. That baby works like a charm and hasn’t been sent in ever.

[Billfish]

I been a Mac lover for 30-40 years. I finally got my dream set up 20 years ago after many different systems, I will never change a thing now except for new processors some day. Keep in mind it's a system and everything has to work together to get the most perfect sound. Also keep in mind one big thing, when the day comes to sell some of your Mac gear for whatever reason, you will be very happy at how much more it's worth than any other brand of the same size and age. Quality gear made in American is still worth a lot.
MC-600 amp - MX-152 - Oppo 4K BRP 7ch. processor - Mac Academy 360's, and surrounds. Wire World cables and wires everywhere really made a big difference.
All my neighbors listen to Steely Dan... Whether they want to or not.

[mikevalentinas]

Personally I think bluetooth cheapens a product and HDMI is for AV use only. I have never expected nor wanted any of my two channel gear to have it. The HT bypass is a nice feature for those who want to integrate their 2 channel and multi channel systems without adding a bunch of extra circuitry to the McIntosh

[richardramorino]

It never occurred to me that some people wouldn't like the looks of these. The green lettering, blue meters, and chrome highlighted knobs are by far the most iconic look in audio. That look has been around almost as long as a Porsche 356/911.

[robust]

To Kristi, Mcintosh CANNOT be lighter and smaller because ALL Mcintosh Amps come with THREE ( x 3) huge transformers and at least 2 x large heatsink for each of the final stage output amplifier modules. The main transformer is for the AC to DC power conversion and the other two transformers are for Left and Right channels (AUTOFORMERS). The main AC/DC transformer guarantees sufficient if not surplus amperage draw from 6 or 12 transistors (depending on wattage) per channel. For instance, the MC602 comes with 2 x paralleled 12 transistors for a total of 24 transistors (push/pull - Class A/B) per channel and outputs 600 watt per channel (2~8 ohms) to accommodate higher amperage draw from 4~2 ohm speakers. That's a whopping 600 + 600 watts per channel at the final stage! The output power signal of one channel is then wired to the Autoformer which allows impedance matching of various impedance (2~8 Ohms) speakers with the amp. Unlike other amps, the output stays at 600 watt per channel disregarding the speaker impedance.

I have been using Mcintosh amps since 1990's and it is a blessing that until today Mcintosh still persists in using proprietory thick wire gauge transformers and autoformers. If Mcintosh ever decides to give up on its Class A/B amplification and downgrade its heritage to Class D, that's the time when you will see smaller and lighter amps but until then we are blessed with its heritage.

Just a quick note, I've completed the full modification on two of my Mcintosh amp (MC7300 and MC602) and got to tell you, disregarding the cost, the only parts that cannot be sourced and replaced are the main transformer and the L/R channel autoformer. Even Mcintosh and Audio Classics don't stock them any longer. The rest of the parts were purchased from Taiwan local vintage parts collectors including (Motorola/Toshiba/Sanyo) transistors that were made in the 90's. For all that said, the main AC transformer and L/R autoformers are the heart of Mcintosh, without these heavy duty transformers, Mcintosh is just another transistor amplifier manufacturer like Sony, Denon, Pioneer etc. (If you know how transistor amps works, you will understand what I'm talking about.)

[skyengeh]

Yes McIntosh make great amps, but for half the price you can get the very capable, high damping factor, Hegel 390 which will certainly match the Mac for speaker driving ability. I thought that would be a telling comparison.

[mdjak]

Plain and simple, I paid for the iconic meters. I was a deadhead in the 70s, following them around concert to concert. I loved that wall of amps. Vowed to own one some day. Two years ago I bought the MC462, a 400wpc stereo amp. Is it the best amp there is? No clue because I’ve not owned better. But I love listening to it and looking at it. Perhaps not in that order.

[robertm.]

I have owned the 7200 for about 2 years, and everytime I listen to it is a treat to my ears, it's everything you you said it is in your review and more, couldn't be happier, I also own a tube amp and I almost couldn't tell the difference when comparing the warm tube sound, unbelievable for a SS system, I don't see myself parting ways with this amp, highly recommended to anyone on the fence about whether to buy it or not!

[scottdecarlo]

I look at McIntosh audio equipment in the same light that I look at the Porsche 911. Aside from both being out of my price range, they are both what I want. Are there better for the money? Subjectively, yes. But, I know both the McIntosh and the Porsche 911 will be sublime because they are remarkable examples of their type and they are what I want.