I think it is taste. You can ask the same of any brand. Each listener has his/her own set of priorities that they desire in a product. Much as car buyer that buys for economy may not agree with on the buys for appearance. I think the McIntosh buyer is drawn to the product for a number of reasons. One can be appearance which can be novelty or cult(although they don't sacrifice live chickens anymore), another sound, another build quality, and yet another investment as they tend to hold a larger percentage of their sale price.
So I guess the same can be said of Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson or Krell to name a few.
So I guess the same can be said of Audio Research, Conrad-Johnson or Krell to name a few.