Buy MacIntosh gear w/o auditioning?

A "Can't miss" proposition will depend on how extensively you have reaserched the product (and its interaction with other components in your system), how well you know the reviewers or the person's opining, and how well you can evaluate the need of your system to reproduce the sounds you want to hear. For the inexperienced it can be a crap shoot. I would suspect there is enuf info on the net about the 6900 (I assume that the amp you're talking about) that you could make an educated guess - but you could always ask members here and on AA for their experience with this unit when coupled with your speakers.

I own plenty of mac gear and I think it is terrific, I own both their tube and solid state stuff. Most people whin they dive into mac say why did i wait so long...I know I did. BUT there is no substitute for your own ears, basically all of audiogon is buying unheard. My guess is for some reason you dont like it you can get your money back. I have heard lots of things and mac is right up there with anything...personally I love it.

Some said that Mac is too smooth and creamy.
I think that's a good thing.
However, personal taste is everything, therefore, IMO you must audition prior to jumping in head fist.
Tim

A few weeks ago I bought a MA6900 here on agon. I could not be more happy. I did not audition it before hand. IMO the only audition which is worth it is in my system/room. And there is not dealer who lends me several amps for auditioning. The same is true for other gear, like speakers or turntable. So I rely on what is said on agon and others boards. And if I would not like the amp I would sell it on agon. McIntosh don't depreciate as fast. I love the sound. IMO the sound is between a tube and a SS.