Dump run on McIntosh MC402?

A dealer told me McIntosh has a 40% discount to dealers going on right now. It's a curious move because it cuts the resale value right out of 'em and hurts their customers who paid much more. I figure McIntosh/Denon must be hurtin' for cash flow right now. Even though I have an MC402 that I like a lot I have to say it's lowered my opinion of the company a bit. I think they've destroyed their dealer network by doing this and if anybody does any research they should know not to pay more than 35% off msrp for any new McIntosh piece. McIntosh has effectively reduced the value of their product line by 35% nearly overnight.

Interesting. I was a little hard on them. Still my local dealer was offering 5% off msrp when I bought mine. Maybe it's more now. I don't go to the local audio shops anymore and haven't for a couple of years. I don't see how they expect to sell anything except to the naive. Going in a local shop, the minute you walk out the door with a new piece you've just done the equivalent of pay retail for a Cadillac and driven it off the lot. In other words you just said goodbye to 35% of what you just paid minutes earlier without the product having seen any wear.

Brianmgrarcom, you make a good point. There are many of these threads. I think products do show up in greater quantity for various reasons, and actually the number of MC402s is slightly high right now but there's always 3 or 4 for sale. I think for McIntosh this is partly due to how many they sell in the first place.

I have an MC402 on my main system and an x250 on my bedroom system. They are fairly different. If you want smooth and listenable for long periods the MC402 is what I'd recommend. If you want more dynamics and detail with the little thickness (in a good way) on the detail go Pass.

The Pass puts off a lot of heat compared to the 402. The Pass has the same delicate middle as Ayre. I think if you A-B'ed Mc and Pass you'd immediately know which one you liked better. They are different sounding amps. You wouldn't sit there and think they are all that similar. The 402 has a higher WAF.

Reno hi fi will let you trial a Pass for 30 days with a minimal restocking fee.