From: apctrc!znpt01@uunet.UU.NET (Norman P. Tracy)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: INFO. REQUESTED ON MCINTOSH 7300 AMP
Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1992 22:30:22 GMT
Organization: Amoco Production Company, Tulsa Research
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In article <1db938INN8le@uwm.edu>, MPA15C!ARTHUR@TRENGA.tredydev.unisys.com writes:
> The reason Stereophile (and everyone else) fails to review McIntosh
> stuff is simply because McIntosh doesn't cooperate with the underground mags.
> They don't supply review samples and don't encourage the magazines to otherwise
> obtain and comment upon their merchandise.  As a result, the equipment is
> really not in the mainstream of audiophile thought.  My personal impression is
> that McIntosh is no longer true high-end equipment, and the stuff is of
> interest more for durability and being built well than it is for any particular
> sonic attributes.  Indeed, at the April Stereophile show, I thought some huge
> Mac dipole speakers gave the WORST sound at the show- it was such dull, lifeless
> reproduction that it was almost like they were spoofing us.
> 
> Perhaps its a philosophical issue here, but why would I want to seek out,
> audition, and consider the pricey stuff from a manufacturer who fails to work
> with the medium on means of which most of us rely for advice?  Without the
> undergrounds, we'd never hear of most of this small-production equipment.
> 
>   Arthur L. Shapiro        ARTHUR%MPA15C@TRENGA.TREDYDEV.UNISYS.COM
>   Software Engineering
>   Unisys Corporation       Speaking as a civilian, rather than for
>   Mission Viejo, CA        Unisys, unless this box is checked: [ ]

Arthur basically answers the original question as to why we seldom see
McIntosh reviews.  I do wish to differ with him on a couple of points.
First is the ultimate quality of McIntosh gear.  Its my impression and
opinion that McIntosh amps and pre-amps (have never heard speakers) vary
from sounding just ok to truely excellent.  It seems to vary with model.
Once again you have to go listen for yourself.  And by now I hope everyone
knows the sad news that McIntosh was sold to (gag) Clairon.  Of course
they claim it will not effect quality but it does bear watching and listening.
Sigh, the last of the great founding fathers (est. 1947) of American Hi-Fi
sold to a Japanese car audio company.  Broke my heart to see it happen.

I also wish to disagree with Arthur's attitude that if a manufacturer
fails to work with TAS, Stereophile, et. al., that they do not deserve
our patronage.  Like most of us the 'underground' audio mags were my
introduction to High-End hi-fi and I keep subscriptions to TAS, Sterephile,
Audio, Hi-Fi News and Record Review, The Audio Amateur, and Glass Audio.
Mag's like these perform a valuable service and can make (or break) companies,
esp. small start up 'garage shop' companies.  But an individual companies
decision to play the game and submit product for review is basically a
marketing decision that we as customers should respect.  They have a right
to decide how to reach customers and which customers to try and reach
just as we have a right to decide who to support with our purchases.  I
own both McIntosh (classic tube type) and Spectral (DMA-50 amp) gear.
Neither of these companies as a rule submit to TAS & Co..  This does not
deminish the quality of their product or the enjoyment it brings me.
If you've been in this hobby for a while and get to hear as much gear as
I seek out you know there are instances where a product you have heard
in a shop or your home makes a completely different impression compared
to the description you read in a review.  Some reviews are botched or
a reviewer's taste and musical priorities do not match the piece under
review.  I guess what set me off was "means of which most of us rely for
advice".  Do not base your systems on the opinions of TAS, Stereophile,
or this network.  LISTEN FOR YOURSELF!  Its fun (remember its suppost to
be fun) to audition and seek out the obscure product.

Norman Tracy (znpt01@trc.amoco.com)