Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

Szuntinglee's analysis of a Mac owner sounds like a "think tank" marketing summary based on singular opinions and taste rather than extensive research.

No offense intended here either but In such a subjective hobby with close to an infinite number of combinations and possibilites with regards to component matching I don't buy into definitive statements and labels with audio brands. How can you? Subjective being the key word here, what's spicey to one is mild to another...just different tastes - no labels.

Well put Ben...As I am new to Mcintosh with 501 mono's they continue to far exceed my expectations. I have about 100 hours on them, and they are the most natural sounding and organic amps I've heard.

I never thought I would own any Mac because of my impression of mid-fi because so many mid-fi retailers have the line. Then I read the reviews on the newer stuff, 402, 501's, and the preamps and it tweaked my interest. I researched enough to go take a listen and compare amps. The 402's were very special, the 501's were just a notch better in every regard. Ultimately it came down to those 2 amps and the CJ 350 because I love CJ preamps and own a premier 14 .

I bought the 501's and paired them with Meridian front end, laid back, premier 14, a liitle laid back, and Thiel 3.6...the truth! and the combination is the best I've had in my room. Throw in MIT reference wire and I can't believe how good everything sounds. Boa...it put me where you are, listen to the music, not the system.

They do, I do and its not because it might be my last amp, plain and simple it fit my needs and I thought 501's were the best sounding under 10K amp out there. I didn't audition 20 amps but I did compare against some stiff competition. I'm also driving Thiel's so the match for me is perfect. I still tweak, experiment, upgrade, buy wire, move speakers, OCD,OCD...so not all audio enthusiasts buy Mac to stop the merry go round of madness...just to fit a need.

Jc - it looks like your trolling now - I say to each his own it's your money but if you've been a member very long you know some advice and opinions are helpful and others are crap. Usually when descriptives are on the extreme side, well that sometimes points to exaggeration. I think that's what gets people's dander up because sometimes it's exactly opposite to what they hear. You went to the trouble to lug a 100lb amp home to audition, it didn't work for you - it is what it is. Good thing you didn't buy first!

Some hobbiest enjoy brand bashing, goodness knows Krell and MIT have to be the all time favorites on this site, not saying your bashing Mcintosh like I said some of your descriptions were on the extreme side. I personally have never heard a Krell that worked for me or B&W but tastes change, mine might as well. To each his own....it's your money!

I keep coming back to this thread like getting stuck on a bad movie. I have been a longtime content owner of 501 monoblocks.

It is peculiar that some of the most vocal do not bother posting their systems on here for those who could learn more about their journey, matching components, cables, etc...especially us Mcintosh non enthusiast audio lovers.

Pictures tell a story, when you depend on prose, especially in an anonymous public forum it can be challenging weeding through the BS.

+1fundsgon 

Also what preamp and speakers you pair a Mac with....

+1 gmercer. I am enthusiastically an enthusiast who uses Mac amps.