McIntosh

Mine was really big and spacious with loads of warmth. If it had just had a tiny bit more sparkle at the top it would’ve been a winner. Even still. It trounced an Audio Research preamp and Bedini 100/100 Class A power amp. So much so, I paid more than I sold it for to get it back. The one and only time I have ever done this.

As nice as the modern stuff is, I’d buy the vintage every time because it’s better built IMO unless you go to the top of the range.

Horses for courses though isn't it? AR must have something going for it or they wouldn't still be in business. Most manufacturers have a 'house sound' that appeals to a particular sub-set of enthusiasts. AR isn't really my sort of thing on paper but I've heard their pre-power combos a couple of times and they were good. Another one that is above my pay grade though. Even second hand!

CD players are probably the riskiest I guess. Made worse by the way the makers don’t keep spare for long. I honestly don’t know how your fare for McIntosh amp spares. It would be easy to assume that cos it’s an amp, it will be an easy fix, but maybe not. Didn’t old tranny amps use Germanium transistors? If so, I have no idea whether they or other bits would be there if needed. Resistors etc should be ok to replace but some bits may cause grief.

I may never have another McIntosh but I’m glad I dabbled, even though I was on the bottom rung of the ladder. Interesting fact though. That amp was a U.K. model (rare in itself) and when it was new it was almost as much as a Mini Cooper.

I can only tell you, my brother's findings on McIntosh v Audio Research. He had a home dem of power amps and the AR VT100 mk3 trounced the equivalent Mc into Focal Mezzo Utopia's. The guy from Acoustics Arts was also of the same opinion.

hahahahha

westie i heard some of that last year..system cost was over 40k.

sounded ok..but 40k lol..not a chance. i'de love some just to look good in the lounge. can you find them second hand?

I don't find the modern McIntosh attractive looking. Something about them, I find lacking some substance.

S.

Wouldn't say no......

Have you heard them Macca, I can't believe they'd be to your taste.

Like I said before I'm pretty sure I have but I can't recall where or when. Might have been at Scalford in 2012, otherwise I've no idea. 

But you are right, not my sort of thing I don't think. Big, warm and valvey isn't for me. There are some valve amps I do rate, Tube Distinctions and Radford. Radfords in particular are a stone cold bargain even if take into account the cost of a re-build. They will take on any amp at any price. TD are effectively custom build so you could be looking at the thick end of ten grand for a new one. But they will also see of anything else, don't care if it is £100K. You need a top shag pre-amp too, of course. 

For American muscle the only thing I can recall hearing, other than the Krell I've got, is Adcom. They are good for the money.

I don't think Adcom has been available in the UK since the mid/late 1990s.

That looks cool!

S.

"cideomshowing ine" <<<<<< what? lol Was that Video of it being made?   If it was, i have watched it many times. I'd love one.

I would never buy an amp on its looks but in the case of Macintosh I'd run a mile on the looks! The most disgusting styling I've ever seen!

I like the old classic 275 but it would have to be an original one as I couldn't be doing with those horrible gold binding posts etc they ruined the re-issue with.