Disappointing On Mcintosh......help

So appropriate to me this thread.  6 months ago my Classe SSP-800 failed for the third time.  Decided NOT to waste any more money on old DAC and multi channel extras.  So I set off to find a new DAC and Pre amp, and love warm smooth sounding music WITH great resolution and clarity.  I know.  Like many I was drawn to McIntosh and stopped by Binghamton NY to audition the new pre amps.  So many terms here strike a chord with me, especially the blanket analogy!  Veiled, dull etc also.  And to be fair the SF speakers are that way to me as well, and I have auditioned them with nice electronics.  So then, as I was still looking, I had the opportunity to bring a C2700 tube preamp home for trial.  Same thing.  Veiled, warm, dull.  I bought an Auralic Vega G2 DAC and an AudioNet Preamp.  Amazing.  So resolving, but non fatiguing.  Doesn't put me to sleep because it is interesting.  With my Classe CA2300 amp they bring my Revel Ultima 2 Salon 2's to life.  I did want to like the Mcintosh though.... and those Sonus Faber's are so pretty...  :) Ken

Like with any equipment there is good combos and bad. The Mac/B&W paring is quite remarkable to my ears.

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!