Disappointing On Mcintosh......help

It's about system synergy and personal preference.  U have had a Mc tube preamp for over 9 years, and I love it.  In the context of my system, and my preferences, it works.  I get all the details without excess edge, brightness or glare.  YMMV.

Have tried multiple times to appreciate McIntosh gear. Paired with Klipsch K-Horns bad, with B&Ws bad, with Martin Logans really bad. The only demo I have heard that I thought was half decent was McIntosh tube gear with Magnepans.

Just telling you how I heard it.

Listen to as many systems and speaker sets in various combinations as you can. You first must find a sound that pleases you. Without that, the rest is pointless. FWIW, I prefer to start with speakers. It is an approach that has served me well. 

Using it, for me, in my environment, I put together a mostly Mc system that I would happily compare to systems costing far more. That said, I haven't found a pair of their speakers that work for me. A pair of Magico S3s with a C1000 and MC300 tube power really rocked my world during a demo in Buffalo, though. Then the $$$$$ reality kicked in. Sticking with my old monitors still produces highly enjoyable results. YMMV as others have mentioned. 

Moral of the story is that you have to figure out what you like. Until you do that, all the rest is gas. This is an expensive hobby, and no one has a perfect answer. It's your money so please yourself. 

Listen around and enjoy the process. Buy what you like. Forget the rest. Happy auditions!

Cydrone.....you're exactly correct

I use to own Mcintosh 601 mono blocks and C52 preamp with modify klipsch KLF 30 and RF 7II never impress sold them and  bought Parasound A21+ and P6 preamp it was day night 
the only possible answer is klipsch and parasound has great synergy because it was unreal