What is a Mcintosh?

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by David

I'd love to upgrade my garage stereo to a McIntosh amp. Not sure on speakers tho. I have bookshelf LSA speakers with a two channel Yamaha receiver which is OK but not what I'd really like.

I can still remember going with a college friend to buy a stereo after he sold his first company. We sat in an empty room, they set up equipment and then kept changing stuff til he was happy. He ended up buying large Martin-Logan speakers, 2 Linn amps and a Linn pre-amp. On the way home he picked up a cheap ($300 back then) Sony CD player. When they came to his house to set up the equipment they asked if he was going to use the cheap CD player to which he replied, "yes".

The clarity was beyond anything I've heard since, like hearing Mick Jagger breathing between words!

I just recapped my linn CD player/combo. Works like new! They make great stuff.

[GG Allin]

And so it begins. This mid 2000's stuff goes for pennys on the dollar.

[Superman]

McIntosh has made great stuff over the years. Love the aesthetic with the nice blue lights. Very classy. Prefer tube gear over the SS stuff, so my favorite McIntosh amps are the mc-225 and mc-240. Particularly the 225. Many believe these are the best of the push-pull tube amps.

That said, I have yet to hear an amplifier that out-performs a good single ended triode tube amp, particularly in the important mids. David mentioned hearing a single take breaths between lyrics, and you can even 'hear' the facial expression. So real and present that it's kinda spooky when you first turn it on. My main power amp makes 8 WPC and my preamp does not have tone knobs. Just volume, balance and channel selection.

EL-84 monoblocks in the garage. I do appreciate the sound of a good el-84 push-pull amp.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by GG Allin

And so it begins. This mid 2000's stuff goes for pennys on the dollar.

Really? They hold their value here. Maybe I need to shop south of the border.

[Radioactive]

Huh, the first thing that came to my head was Harrison McIntosh, second was audio gear.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_McIntosh


It's funny what you remember from your childhood.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Really? They hold their value here. Maybe I need to shop south of the border.

Video processors, AV pre amps and the like don't hold value for any brand. Id lump anything digital in there as well.

For me, in these pride of ownership historic brands:

Accuphase>Audio Research>>>>Mcintosh

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

Really? They hold their value here. Maybe I need to shop south of the border.

That one was $7600 new in 2006. I paid only a little more than $1000. It's near perfect, came with original box, remotes, manual and receipt. As a home theater unit it is outdated, but will function great as a stereo preamp plus subwoofer. The amplifiers on the other hand seem to be increasing in value. I have a deal almost settled on a MC300.

[David]

I thought I'd check how much a simple stereo receiver is for a little garage upgrade:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_958MAC7200/McIntosh-MAC7200.html?tp=47041

$8,000

[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by aschen

Video processors, AV pre amps and the like don't hold value for any brand. Id lump anything digital in there as well.

For me, in these pride of ownership historic brands:

Accuphase>Audio Research>>>>Mcintosh

Of course Accuphase is Japanese. AR and Mc are American.

[aschen]

Of course, but still a prestige brand with heritage.

[gregpark]

I googled the original question. John Mcintosh developed the fruit in 1811, the amp company was started by Frank Mcintosh in 1949 and the Mcintosh computer was launched by a guy who worked for Apple in 1979. He named it after his favorite apple

[GG Allin]

Got power now but unfortunately my speakers aren't working properly. There's nothing coming from the mid ranges. Maybe I need to find a set of LS360's.

[astrochex]

^Cool cabinet nicely compliments the gear.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by gregpark

I googled the original question. John Mcintosh developed the fruit in 1811, the amp company was started by Frank Mcintosh in 1949 and the Mcintosh computer was launched by a guy who worked for Apple in 1979. He named it after his favorite apple

Beatles taught me its some sort of raincoat too.

[GG Allin]

The more I researched the more I realized, all I need or want is a good set of bookshelf speakers and a good subwoofer. I've been using a set of late 90's Monitor Audio Mag 901's . They sound fantastic. But they're a little beat up. I've been on the hunt for a good used set of McIntosh LS320's. My patience paid off. Actually the first set I found is an NOS pair that's been sitting in storage since new. The dealer said he assumed all these years that the boxes were empty until he went to toss them he realized what he had. Surprisingly all he wanted was $950. This set sold for $2200 new. Used sets usually get around $750 to $1000 depending on condition. I almost don't want to open them. UPS says they'll be OFD tomorrow, can't wait.




Picture for reference.

[TimT]

I spy a Mac

[aschen]

Bose Buys Mcintosh Group

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/11/19/bose-buys-mcintosh-storied-maker-of-high-end-luxury-audio-equipment.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGppJpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQ ABHaDhfwq6pnhQhx4CK7wLL_JzAH-bbuZf2-Y9W784z0fsuZk4stCvHO-AyQ_aem_CimUfIZBvMTLG_aALVUl7Q

Probably not the end of the world, I am sure Mcintosh will live on as USA mfg high quality audio. I used to make fun of Bose a lot, but thier products are usually engineered pretty decent for their intended audience

[creaturecat]

Bernie Fiedler used to own my set-up.
a major rock promoter during the era. also managed Gordon Lightfoot, forever.
the unit was placed in the Rock Star crash pad, downtown Toronto.
if stereos could tell stories? i bet that unit would have lots to say.

[creaturecat]

Bernie: About | The River Boat

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by aschen

Bose Buys Mcintosh Group........

A lot of negative opinions on this. But one comment I can agree on is "McIntosh has already made everything I'd ever want".