I have seen some Interesting comments about Mcintosh lately

How did this thread start with Mac observations, and wind up talking about who's watch is better than the next guys?

"McIntosh has NEVER been considered a sound-first product."

Not too sure about that comment bdp24. I really don't know how many of the vintage Mac products you've listened to but Frank McIntosh and Gordon Gow were first rate engineers and real pioneers in serious audio designs.  Frank actually worked for Bell Labs early on. Some of their vintage gear is top rate as far as I'm concerned and rate favorably with Saul Marantz's designs.  It is as if to say that McIntosh was never serious equipment but geared primarily to build and aesthetic quality, I couldn't disagree more with THAT impression if that is what you're saying.

McIntosh has NEVER been considered a sound-first product."..I totally agree with this

One of the best systems I ever heard anywhere anytime was an all McIntosh system, the system in question was up on Red Mountain in Aspen and was used for practice sessions sometimes by the Dave Brubeck Quartet.  That was back in the days when McIntosh was all tubes and when they produced huge speakers.  There was also some otherworldly monster midrange horn in the middle of the room, dunno what that was. There were eight - count em - Ducati racing motorcycles in the garage.  

It's all in the recipe, right Nab2? Slow and tubby, LOL. I'll tell you what this hobby really needs, new cliches.