Why the hate for mcintosh amps?

Unsound,
You made some good points and no hard feelings. I have owned several Macs, MC300 for about 5 years, a MC2105 for about 45 years interestingly, a MC402 for a few short months. I also had a non autoformer Mac for a very short time that I didn't like at all. I just didn't really like the sound of either of those as much as my somewhat modified MC2105, so I really don't have blinders on about Mac gear.
That said, I also owned a wonderful ANK 300b Anniversary amp for 5 years, and I have to be honest and say that the MC2105 was not embarrassed in its company. Same for a Pass Labs 250.5 which sounded terrible in comparison to the MC2105 to my ears.
I also think that you may be right in thinking that part of the reason that they stay with the autoformer technology is that it is a strong part of their identity.
Thanks for your thoughts, John  

@roxy54, To each his own. I really do believe that for the most part we hear similarly, but often do listen differently, 
Enjoy!

So many amps. So how many do AB testing?
Unsound’s above comments are amazing. Curious about your amp preferences.

but what about mac tubes vs their ss. Preferences? they do well with ss but say it sounds tubey. So get the damn tubes.  Tubes would seem better.  Preamps are better with tubes.

@ fuzztone

this year, you should have said... Yankees... no playoff

As for alternatives...I'm a Mc owner and I need more power - I have MC 302 SS.

I'm also a former artillery guy and I can tell you I like things loud :)

I listen to rock, jazz and blues and my thoughts have been what's the right upgrade path.

I have a budget too!  And then of course there's the synergy with the rest of the system.

So I've been considering - Moon by Simaudio.

In the end each one of us has biases and preferences and by listening we can determine if what sounds different is valued.  Notice I avoided using better.  I've heard different speakers change how an amp and music sound and depending on the type of music I can even appreciate if cost wasn't an object having more than 1 system.