Price Paid:  $1800.00 from Audio Concepts

Summary:
I bought this as a demo, and was used to using Rotel gear. I was a little skeptical at going from a 200w per channel amp to a 100w@8ohms, I felt I was stepping back, boy was I wrong. I lugged this home and set it up with my Rotel preamp, right off the bat I noticed a difference. The amp just seemed alot smoother over the Rotel, more laid back. After about a week, I said to myself, there must be somthing more I'm missing. So I went back to the dealer and bought a McIntosh C-41 preamp. Amazing, that's the only way to describe it. The Rotel gear was great, but the McIntosh gear just takes it to another level. I'm currently hunting down another MC-162 (there discontinued) so I can have a pair and bridge them. Can't wait. My System McIntosh MC162 amp McIntosh C41 preamp Music Hall mmf-25 (with upgrades) Music Hall mmf-9 turntable B&W 604s3 All MIT cables

Strengths:
Build quality, (never gets hot!) Those blue meters. Excellent resale value in the after market, Even a classic piece looks new.

Weaknesses:
None that come to mind. HEAVY

Similar Products Used:
Denon,Rotel,B&W, MIT

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I listened to this product for about 2 hours. Connect to Energy Veritas 2.4 and Bryston SP 1.7 Pre/processor. If I had to pick a word it would be liquid. The amp had terrific soundstage, and good overall tonal balance. The sound of this amp is very "laid back" to say the least. The bass is not intrussive, but punchy. The highs seemed to roll off, and the mids were accurate. BUT This fine amp ran out of steam long before a satisfactory reference volume.

Strengths:
Laid back Mac Sound. Clean all the way to top of power band

Weaknesses:
Ran out of steam. Could not power Veritas 2.4s to reference volume.

Similar Products Used:
Bryston SP 1.7 Processor Bryston 4B SST Sony 777ES SACD Rega P3 Turntable Monster M Class Interconnects Monster HTS 5100 Power Stabilizer

Price Paid:  $1699.00 from Team Electronics

Summary:
Excellent amp. It is a heavy, durable looking component. Simple and elegant. The sound is secure, solid, detailed and musical. Thsi is the first amp, that moments after starting, I forget the amp, and my system, and find myself immersed in the music. No harshness or fatigue. There is no grain in the upper registers. Bass is strong and detailed. And you have to like those VU meters. McIntosh blue....wow.

Strengths:
Build quality. A Tank of an amp. Sound quality. When playing, you forget it's there. Musical and detailed. Non fatigue factor.

Weaknesses:
I cant think of any.....

Similar Products Used:
Auditioned other Macs Dyna 70 B&K Various run of teh mill Pioneer/sony/yamaha receivers.

Price Paid:  $1875.00 from AudioCraft

Summary:
I finally ended my 2 month long search for my main music system amplifier by choosing the McIntosh MC162. This amp is highly musical in every regard! It presents a very accurate, open, airy, believable soundstage with seemingly no coloration or signature of it's own. The music is just there, pure and simple, and the overall sound is unfatiguing and typical 'Mac like'. Timbral accuracy and detail is stunning in accordance with 'better' electronics in one's system. All in all, I liked it's sound better than the others mentioned above that I also auditioned in my quest for the best amp money can buy for up to 2K. The MC162 presents the music in such a way that makes you feel 'you are there'. All the R&D that goes into a 'Mac' product is very evident in listening to this wonderful amplifier, given it's musicality and accuracy. Do yourself a big favor, and give this one a listen before you plunk down your moolah on others! It's that good!

My equipment:

McIntosh MC162
Parasound P/HP-850
Denon DCM-370 HDCD decoding player
Magnepan MMG's
Velodyne CT100 subwoofer
Straightwire Encore II and Sonata interconnects
DH Labs T-14 speaker cabling

Strengths:
Silky smooth, open, detailed sound; aesthetics and styling with those gorgeous blue output meters (whose lights can be easily switched off, by the way if they bother you); build quality; runs only cool to warm at most, never hot; excellent reserves.

Weaknesses:
Absolutely none that I can discern.

Similar Products Used:
I auditioned Bryston, McCormack, and Odyssey Stratos. The MC162 is a MUST audition if you are looking for a high-end amp in the 1 to 2K price range.

Price Paid:  $1600.00 from Stereo Showcase

Summary:
This is a review of taking two MC-162 amplifiers and bridging them and then using them to provide the power to not one set of Paradigm Sudio 100 v2, but to two sets of them as them are my front speakers for my home theatre and stereo. This is a little extreme, and it works great. For the upper half I am using two 105 watt monoblock Antique Sound Lab amps. Very Sweet. The thing I love about the McIntosh is that they have a huge reserve and can truly put out the bass.

It use have the funds or the speakers, try taking two of them and bridging them, and by suprised!

Strengths:
This will be an unusual review. I have bridged 2 MC162's and have used them for the bottom's of Paradigm 100's on a total of two sets! The upper halfs of the speaker's are powered by 105 watt Tube monoblocks!

Weaknesses:
None