Why do no audio enthusiasts use McIntosh?

Anyone ever see a reputable speaker manufacturer or other high end manufacturer using McIntosh in their demo rooms at any of the shows??? Me neither.

Why do you think that is??

Because whether or not another manufacturer wanted to exhibit with McIntosh gear, I'm willing to bet that McIntosh doesn't allow it. For confirmation, you could ask them directly.

Of course it is not the only reason. But I think part of it is that owning McIntosh equipment may just be too simple for enthusiasts. Most, not all, enthusiasts want to try different equipment, agonize over their cables, find synergestic components, etc - in other words, most, not all, want to play and have fun with the equipment side of the hobby. I think McIntosh equipment appeals to those who want great sound, a good value, ultra-reliable, minimum "syngery" games, and the enjoy the equipment for the next 20 years. These are not necessarily the goals or drives of enthusiasts. Speaking for myself, I like some alchemy, some worry, some tweaking, some pondering - I think McIntosh is for those for whom this element of the hobby is not a priority. You will hear enthusiasts say they have found their last amp, their last pre-amp, etc. it never happens, it can't hasppen to an enthusiast, but it does appear to happen to happy owners of Mac.

Pubul57,
Your post exemplifies my experience of McIntosh. When I was finally willing to overcome my own "it's sub-audiophile" snobbery about it, I found that their amps/preamps in particular answer my primary goal, which is to turn off the analysis and simply enjoy the music. For those who prefer to chase--but not chew--the audio carrot, McIntosh is probably not for you.

They do, I do and its not because it might be my last amp, plain and simple it fit my needs and I thought 501's were the best sounding under 10K amp out there. I didn't audition 20 amps but I did compare against some stiff competition. I'm also driving Thiel's so the match for me is perfect. I still tweak, experiment, upgrade, buy wire, move speakers, OCD,OCD...so not all audio enthusiasts buy Mac to stop the merry go round of madness...just to fit a need.

McIntosh gear may also not be used in some demo's because dealers know how immature and stupid some Audiophiles are, so why bother putting any equipment in a demo that will just turn off snobs, idiots and un-informed Audiophooles, maybe the company has a policy about its use gear, threads like these although alot of fun to read remind me how insane, foolish, and simple minded a far too high majority of people in this hobby can be, so go on freeze your CD'S. Cook your cables, place rocks on your gear, clocks in your room, paint your disc's green, lift your cables off the ground with $60 Pine, Cryo your listening chair and enjoy the music.