I think most everyone that frequents this section of AK is aware I'm not a fan of the new MC2152.
This made me reflect on how I was extremely disappointed by McIntosh a couple or so years ago. Somehow, I managed to shrug it off and move one. Continued to own Mac without a break in tenure purchasing other Mac components (new and vintage) including a C47 and an MC152.
The MC2152, rekindled those past thoughts with its design changes. I'm sure you are asking, what did they do?
They started building products in China with the release of the RS100. More recently, the MHA50 was released. Also made built in China.
Please don't mistake this as a made in China bashing thread. My frustration is centered on a company that has proudly manufactured products in NY, now allowing things to slip over to China. I'm sure some will argue, that's just the "lifestyle" products. I don't see that as a relevant argument; anything with the McIntosh logo should be coming out of the factory in NY. It's a damn shame to go to the Mac website and see anything....anything...with made in china stamped on it.
We have seen significant design changes with the MC2152. Will that continue? More of a concern, is will we see more products over time stamped assembled in China? I question influence from other stakeholders within the other companies that comprise McIntosh Group. To me this is sort of Mac's dirty little secret they are trying to keep minimized....it's there...just no one talks about it. Charlie Randall vowed that McIntosh would always be made in NY.
Hopefully, this will not continue. I would hate to see the brand further diluted/tarnished. Let's make a comparison with another luxury product sector, wristwatches. If a company like Patek Philippe made even one single watch in China, it would likely ruin the company. Not to mention that the value of past products could very likely plummet.
This made me reflect on how I was extremely disappointed by McIntosh a couple or so years ago. Somehow, I managed to shrug it off and move one. Continued to own Mac without a break in tenure purchasing other Mac components (new and vintage) including a C47 and an MC152.
The MC2152, rekindled those past thoughts with its design changes. I'm sure you are asking, what did they do?
They started building products in China with the release of the RS100. More recently, the MHA50 was released. Also made built in China.
Please don't mistake this as a made in China bashing thread. My frustration is centered on a company that has proudly manufactured products in NY, now allowing things to slip over to China. I'm sure some will argue, that's just the "lifestyle" products. I don't see that as a relevant argument; anything with the McIntosh logo should be coming out of the factory in NY. It's a damn shame to go to the Mac website and see anything....anything...with made in china stamped on it.
We have seen significant design changes with the MC2152. Will that continue? More of a concern, is will we see more products over time stamped assembled in China? I question influence from other stakeholders within the other companies that comprise McIntosh Group. To me this is sort of Mac's dirty little secret they are trying to keep minimized....it's there...just no one talks about it. Charlie Randall vowed that McIntosh would always be made in NY.
Hopefully, this will not continue. I would hate to see the brand further diluted/tarnished. Let's make a comparison with another luxury product sector, wristwatches. If a company like Patek Philippe made even one single watch in China, it would likely ruin the company. Not to mention that the value of past products could very likely plummet.