Shoot me, but I like the McIntosh designs. A bit retro, which I like. Come on, who here wouldn’t want a big honkin’ Sansui or Marantz receiver in their rack, even if it was just for show? I have a C220 preamp, and love the LED lit front panel. It sits on the top of my rack.
Frankly, I think the Chord designs look like R2D2 vomited out his lunch. I tend dislike asymmetrical designs.