Has McIntosh Ever Decreased Prices (on new equipment)?

Nope. They don't due sales, open box. refurbished or any of that. If someone returns a unit not fit for purpose, no one will ever see it again. Same for Luxman or any other premium brand. They have an image to protect. 

Mark Levinson will do any of the above. Go figure.

@5farms You should check out Audio Classics in Vestal NY. They are always doing trade up programs and will be quite accommodating if its in their interest to do so. Plus, they have an awesome facility with close ties to McIntosh itself (I'm sure they are beta and contribute a lot to Mac's r & d) and the guided tours of their museum are over the top! They will also offer to demo their most extravagant systems just for fun knowing all along you wouldn't possibly think of buying one.  It's a great all-day drive if you live within a couple hundred miles of them and have the time. The countryside in NY state like most of the Northeast is something to behold!