McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

Mac is sort of like the Rolex of audio...

the arguement should be about their amps using an autoformer

I think that was the problem with my Mac amp. The output transformers killed the amp/speaker interaction and created a flat sounding speaker. Probably measures great and all but not to my taste. 

I can’t understand why people say McIntosh sounds flat, or like someone put a wet blanket over their speakers

Because that is what we heard? 

Will never say they make bad gear though. Classic American brand.

Well said. Ditto.

Doubtful there are many other brands that will hold their value as well as McIntosh

No problem with you liking the Mac gear. But resale value has nothing to do with sound quality. Perhaps a relation to build quality but perhaps not the top tier of possibilities.