McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

Everybody his sound ! I don’t like McIntosh , and isn’t for me “the Rolex” of the amps.: than I will give it to VAC. : Is more natural,  detailfull and the sound is very 3-D. Mc is a “cliche” : used with Sonus Faber , and B&W : hi-fi :okay ! No high-end ! ( but like I said: everybody his sound and equipment)

All the tubes are lower class, transistor is much better.

Not all Mac amps are autoformer coupled. They have several SS integrated amps and a monoblock that are direct coupled and use 12AX7s as input buffers. And don’t go saying the stuff is overpriced. A lot of audio gear is as costly or more.  Sure it’s not budget hear but it is well built, lasts, and yes holds its value. Their weakness is in the streaming arena. Since joining the Sonus Faber family even the speakers have taken a turn for the better. Their turntables are by Clearaudio. I don’t own any, but I am the original audio cheapskate by choice. 

Bless you oldhvymec!