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

When I decided to splurge and buy my final preamp and get all the features I wanted I made a mental list.
home theater bypass function

built in good quality DAC

a topnotch phono stage

balanced output

ability to rename inputs and disable unused inputs

input name display clearly visible from across the room (hate little led dots under tiny labels)

tone and balance controls

The two least expensive preamps I found that I could order that had all that were the Anthem STR and the Mcintosh C49.  The Anthem was $4200 and the Mac was $5000.  I ended up buying the one made in America with a sterling reputation for service.  In addition to all the above, it has two separately switched and buffered outputs, a fixed record out, 3 12v triggers, 2 of which can be programmed to come on with an input or inputs,  a 12v input from an AVR or AV processor that automatically puts it in HT passthrough.  It helps that it looks great.

$5000 doesn’t seem like a bargain and you can certainly get things that sound  as good for less money.  However, nothing I could find has all those features for significantly less.

I’ll let Mike Campbell speak for me on this.  

After watching this thread go back and forth, and the OP taking both sides as "the messenger", I'd like to ask the Op to explain this statement from the original post that is his own:

"More unvarnished truth from YouTube" - hilde45
Definition from Dictionary.com: Unvarnished - Plain, Clear, Straightforward. 

So, is OCD Mikey's opinion the truth or not? You did call him out later, but to me it appears that you agreed with him early on or at least just wanted to start another McIntosh bash thread for self serving purposes. Prove me wrong and go on the record with your position and why stating McIntosh specific gear and experience. If I missed it in the thread, my apologies. I believe this thread has demonstrated that McIntosh owners are tired of being bashed with generic blanket statements and have made their position known. So, Op, what is yours?

"Who actually buys from this man?" @roxy54, I do. I'll be replacing my PrimaLuna EVO400 Power Amplifier with NAT Audio Generator monoblocks. I'm also upgrading my Dyna PAS-3X preamplifier with a NAT Audio Symmetrical. Mikey assures me I'll be completely satisfied. I'm really looking forward to it! It'll be a fun road trip to pick up the gear, hang out, and listen to his AMAZING system!

I must admit that in the past, having a visually cool-looking system was one of my considerations but over the last couple of years, I've been focused on attaining the best sonics that I can.

I think having a local HiFi group has influenced and sped up that direction as well. One of the benefits I have is the ability to try other gear in my system and go to other local audiophiles' homes to listen to their rigs. Currently, we have 7 local guys who have nice systems, several of them with multiple systems. One guy has a system valued at 500k. He has VAC Statement amps, an AMG TT, Magico S7's, and other top gear and cables. I had my Magico A3s before we met and was heading towards improving the sonics of my system. After he hosted a monster 8-hour listening session at his home for several of us, I realized the next day that I wasn't getting everything out of my speakers that I could. 

That's when I consulted Mikey and things progressed from there. Implementing his advice, I rearranged my listening room and changed speaker placement and toe-in. Mikey's not into analog but I also tweaked the VTA of my tonearm and it was as if the sonic puzzle piece fell into place! It was like going to a chiropractor with a painful back and after he adjusts you the pain completely vanishes! The change in sonics was that stark compared to my old layout! Others have said that I don't need to do anything further now, and I would agree but I trust that the changes we are going to make will take my rig to a completely new level. 

No matter what anyone says about him, Mikey is an expert in HiFi. He's backed up that fact. In the latest video he put out, a guy said he's heard the PS Audio system with the Infinity towers and basically said there was no comparison to Mikey's rig.

I'm looking forward to benefiting from his HiFi experience and passion every time I put on an album!

@stephens770 It was sarcasm. "Unvarnished" added to "truth" was hyperbole meant to convey irony. I have no "purposes." Sorry it wasn’t clearer. I'd hope that your reading of my other posts make the case (to you, to others) that the video is ridiculous, irresponsible nonsense. No way for a dealer to behave.