Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

I do, I have 501 monoblocks and I love them. I have also owned and heard many others. My last system was all BAT. 501's Stereophile awards the MC501 Monoblock Amplifier the Amplifier of the Year 2004.
HiFi Grand Prix award goes to MC501 Monoblocks 2004.
Absolute Sound reviews the 402/C46 amp/preamp and claims "the best sound I have had in my system"

So unless Stereophile, Absolute Sound and my own ears are lying, McIntosh makes great HIFI gear. I can't find one fault. Let your ears be the judge and give them an audition.

Let's face it, "enthusiast" means that you are first into audio gear and second possibly into music, that is if your audiophile worries actually allow you to enjoy one CD or LP from beginning to end before your mind starts to wonder what it is you need to upgrade next. Yes, many McIntosh owners are very content with their gear and would not even consider anything else. Call them naive, or non-enthusiasts, but don't forget, many of them have played the gear switching game before, myself included and have stopped looking and caring after experiencing McIntosh in their system. I have played the game myself, been there, done that, got a T-shirt. While some are on their 25th amp, preamp or whatever else seems to be in style (look at the D-class amps thread) I'll be still happily listening to my 501's and smiling. To each it's own.

Your example of not being impressed by the $200k system because you wanted to be impressed by something you can afford is like saying "I was not impressed by Porsche or Ferrari because they had nothing to show me in my price range". Also, while McIntosh does have ultra expensive amps and speakers in their line up doesn't mean you have to be able to afford them to enjoy what McIntosh has to offer. A 402/C46 combo was highly praised by TAS as being the best the reviewer has had in his system and compared to other amps/preamps many times the price. Should I remind you how well the 501's were reviewed? A comparison of 20-30 year old McIntosh gear to modern gear and using that as the standard by which it is measured is simply unfair. The new McIntosh gear has also evolved and offers many sonic advantages to the 20-30 year old stuff while still being competitively priced with modern gear of other brands. I for one am very happy that I finally built a system that allows me to simply enjoy music without all the "audiophile nervosa" that seems to go hand in hand with this hobby. I am very pleased at the fact that my investment into 501 monoblocks will last me at least 30 years and bring me daily pleasure while still retaining the highest resale value in case I decide to move up or simply upgrade to the latest model of McIntosh amps/preamps.

Strange, my wife and many of our friends that come over our house have always complimented the looks of my all McIntosh gear. The looks of the gear are highly personal choice and as always the "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Not that I need the approval of my wife on what my audio gear should look like nor would she ever put her foot down on this subject but it's nice to know she appreciates it. I don't think the amps of yesterday with their huge cooling fins were ever high on the WAF either. Of course the Krell's and ML's have changed their looks lately and will change again I am sure with time, what ever the fashion will call for. Strange how fashion comes and goes yet the "truly classic" and tasteful designs always remain in fashion and stand the test of time no matter what.