Do true audiophiles own Mcintosh gear

Brand is for the fashion conscious. I don't think you have to be fashionable to be a true audiophile although if you are very fashion conscious and shun Mcintosh because it no longer carries an aura of exclusivity....more fool you!

>>read Colloms or Harley?..they even had to mention the 400xi as superior in some respects to the $50k stuff!<<

I could care less what any of them think.

Reviewers are entertainers.

Sounds the the original poster is chasing a name brand every audiophile will applause to. Sorry that Mac in audio is not the same Mac as Iphone or Ipod.
It is hard to define a "true audiophile" since everyone can have their own opinion about who should/shouldn't consider an audiophile.
If you really passion about something then price and name brand doesn't matter. This is where DIY comes into play.
If you go to the diyaudio forum then they wouldn't think any commercial product can be any good.
I also owned Mac and heard Jadis and used krell and ML and PASS. Sure I have tried hundreds of cables before as well ( some cost up to 5K.) In the end, it is not how much you spend or which brand is the best. It is what goes into your ear that matters. Is Mac gear make you a geek or an audiophile? ( you became audio fools if your ear is based on name brand ) No. It is how things sound to you and not the wallet. A true audiophile owns good sense of what sounds good and doesn't care about meter measurements.

I agree reviewers are mostly entertainers..merely mentioned a couple of the senior more honest ones as an aside, not to be taken as an indication of my audio religion. Synergy of components and an ear for live music to guide oneself is important...no ear, then no reference point! As I mentioned, I've gone with a lesser system because I've found it more musical...not for brand or dollar snob value. DIY is probably great fun if so inclined. All the stuff I've owned was great stuff, but my need for musical satisfaction took me full circle..I am happy with less becauase sometimes less IS more!!

Dave_b, Things does require a journey for your realization : )
Less might be more. That's why DHT SET amps had became a recent trend.

Happy listening.