This discussion seems to quickly lose rational basis, so going back to the original question, "why don't people like McIntosh?", some rational reasons not to like it are as follows:
1) Value - at the surface, it is expensive compared to most similar products with similar specs.
2) Looks - if you don't like the McIntosh look, you don't like it - what is there to debate here?
3) Sound Quality - again - this is a matter of personal taste. If you don't like the way it sounds, why would you buy it?
4) Build Quality - the quality of the components, how those components are put together, and the QA/QC that ensures the consistency of what was intended by the designers vs. what ends-up in the box you buy. In my recent experience, McIntosh is not as good at this as they once were in this regard.
Conversely, some reasons to like it:
1) Value - when you consider the substantial resale value (should you decide to upgrade within McIntosh or try something else later) it is typically a better "investment" than most brands.
2) Looks - see above - my own polling on this over the years has shown that most think it looks very cool, retro, and "pro" - males and females both. This criteria should be irrelevant, but most of us are at least partially moved by this element.
3) Sound Quality - this is pure personal preference - do not make any significant audio purchase without listening for yourself, and try to do so in an environment that mimics your home listening room to the greatest extent possible. That said, in my experience, at least as many people like the sound of McIntosh as dislike it.
4) Build Quality - while it may not be what it once was, it is still very good for the most part - especially once you are in the stainless steel chassis line of products.
I hope this helps. There is no "fatal-flaw" in buying McIntosh, unless you listen to it, don't like the sound, and then buy it anyway. Conversely, if you like the sound, there are few brands of equipment that have enjoyed lasting value and performance over the decades the way McIntosh has.
1) Value - at the surface, it is expensive compared to most similar products with similar specs.
2) Looks - if you don't like the McIntosh look, you don't like it - what is there to debate here?
3) Sound Quality - again - this is a matter of personal taste. If you don't like the way it sounds, why would you buy it?
4) Build Quality - the quality of the components, how those components are put together, and the QA/QC that ensures the consistency of what was intended by the designers vs. what ends-up in the box you buy. In my recent experience, McIntosh is not as good at this as they once were in this regard.
Conversely, some reasons to like it:
1) Value - when you consider the substantial resale value (should you decide to upgrade within McIntosh or try something else later) it is typically a better "investment" than most brands.
2) Looks - see above - my own polling on this over the years has shown that most think it looks very cool, retro, and "pro" - males and females both. This criteria should be irrelevant, but most of us are at least partially moved by this element.
3) Sound Quality - this is pure personal preference - do not make any significant audio purchase without listening for yourself, and try to do so in an environment that mimics your home listening room to the greatest extent possible. That said, in my experience, at least as many people like the sound of McIntosh as dislike it.
4) Build Quality - while it may not be what it once was, it is still very good for the most part - especially once you are in the stainless steel chassis line of products.
I hope this helps. There is no "fatal-flaw" in buying McIntosh, unless you listen to it, don't like the sound, and then buy it anyway. Conversely, if you like the sound, there are few brands of equipment that have enjoyed lasting value and performance over the decades the way McIntosh has.