The Mc452 is rated highly by serious reviewers. Here's an interesting amp shootout of 41 amps where McIntosh does well. http://www.amp-shootout.com/2.html
Do true audiophiles own Mcintosh gear
It seems like all the high-end dealers I have bought from or talked to think that Mcintosh is living on it's past reputation. The 2 stores that carry it locally are more mid-fi stores than high-end. I have a friend that swears by it but he hasn't listened to his Mcintosh in over 2 years. What do you think?