Why the hate for mcintosh amps?

@ norton

Domestic bliss is priceless!

What makes you think of it as hate.

I have McIntosh gear - sounds wonderful. 
That doesn’t imply other manufacturers don’t make awesome sounding equipment. 
Additionally, my statement doesn’t suggest there’s a value per dollar associated with McIntosh that’s better or worse than other manufacturers. 
Enjoy the music. And the system you’re listening to in the moment because life changes:)

McIntosh and Rolex are an interesting analogy.  They both are major brands that enable other companies to exist - are they the best?  No - but when did they claim they were the best and others were inferior? 

Saying a Mc is warm, syrupy and bloated is a lazy statement:

• Next to my previous NAD integrated amp my McIntosh amp/preamp with Sonus Faber is clear, defined and fast. 
• Certainly, my system sounds different than a Wilsons driven by Naim or Boulder.

As for alternatives...I'm a Mc owner and I need more power - I have MC 302 SS.

I'm also a former artillery guy and I can tell you I like things loud :)

I listen to rock, jazz and blues and my thoughts have been what's the right upgrade path.

I have a budget too!  And then of course there's the synergy with the rest of the system.

So I've been considering - Moon by Simaudio.

In the end each one of us has biases and preferences and by listening we can determine if what sounds different is valued.  Notice I avoided using better.  I've heard different speakers change how an amp and music sound and depending on the type of music I can even appreciate if cost wasn't an object having more than 1 system. 

@bigtex22 Awesome - enjoy!.  Those speakers are wonderful and I grin every time I turn on my Mc stuff!

@emergingsoul does it really matter if folks hate McIntosh?  The passion seems to get folks talking about a brand and that brand seems to be doing really well.

I've had a great experience with McIntosh and am upgrading some of my system and decided to replace my McIntosh preamp and amp with Moon by Simaudio.  The irony of the upgrade is that I believe the time I spent with McIntosh rekindled my music appreciation and enjoyment.

And when it was time to upgrade, I specifically listened to some other brands including Audio Research, Moon and McIntosh.  And when moving up in power I found the Audio Research superb but beyond my budget and Moon preferable to McIntosh as a better price.

My audio rack will be much more minimalist and subdued...  But I sold my McIntosh gear for over 80% of the price I paid for it.  And I am confident the gear will generate more smiles.

@roxy54  I appreciate that context.  Managing tube life is not something I have a lot of experience with.

@emergingsoul  I bought the legacy models - so I bought them new with a full warranty.

If your statement "Arc tube life horrifying" is an allusion to trick or treat.  I don't see it.  What specifically do you find horrifying about Audio Research?  I am open to your opinion but your judgement without support is more of a 'trick' than a 'treat'.

I’m curious how many folks have owned McIntosh amps and ‘upgraded’ to another brand.  
 

When I think of my hobbies (or more accurate vices) -motorcycles, cars, wine, beer and whiskey. My experiences impacted future buying decisions. 
 

I thought my NAD system was my first high end audio system. And upgraded to McIntosh the sound was different and from my point of view improved.  
 

I know listen differently and auditioning for an upgrade will include alternatives because l believe I value different characteristics than when I bought NAD and McIntosh. Effectively McIntosh was valuable due to my enjoyment and growth.