Does Mc Intosh make reference gear

Taters, I disagree with your statement. Many elements and concerns go into making a device. It would be foolish of Mc or any other maker to have a device to simply last long and not be relevant in sonics. Bryston has a twenty year warranty on amps. They an others not just make them too last, but have in mind that you would want to keep them for the long term. And would compete sonically with new products coming into the market.

Having been around studios for three decades, I never see their products around. I do see it in the homes of many artists though, for personal playback. Very few pro reference companies cross over, although you can buy such respected brands as ATC and Bryston, which have a loyal following amongst studio engineers. They sell consumer electronics as well.

I personally love McIntosh. I think some of their products are sublime, including the 275 tube amp and some of their recent solid state ones. And they hold their value. Not a lot of brands can say that in this fickle audiophile world, where "trading up" usually entails a 50 to 80% depreciation.

Fact is Mc gear does hold its value better than most any other brand, including those near and dear to high end enthusiasts. So they are "reference" in that regard. Facts are facts. So there.... :^)

Their MC2301 tube amp is a reference piece by any standard, but that's the only model I would put in that class.