Why the hate for mcintosh amps?

If you flip a switch, they are line stage.
Flaw, I don’t think so. Either or in all their new gear..

Some people think line stage means volume only, not even a balance.
I personally wouldn’t own just a line stage. The closest I have ever owned is a Krell HT and it had sub and bass management.

The other 15+ preamps I own ALL have tone control, maybe 5 or 6 have tone control bypass.

Sure nice having tone control breaking in things.. Cables, speakers and the like.. A little tweak until things settle down a bit. I stay at + 1 to -1 on the bass. Crap CDs get a treble adjustment every now and then..

Regards

Imo, you are paying for the pretty blue meters....😄

If, to me, there is no discernible difference in sound between components (preamp, amp, speaker, etc.) I will always choose the one with better visual appearance and craftsmanship. I will even pay more for the better looking component and better craftsmanship all other parameters being equal. If that means I get pretty blue meters in the purchase, so be it. 

  "Imo, you are paying for the pretty blue meters....😄"

You're so original audioguy85. I never heard that one before.

That’s what I like about McIntosh, not only they look good with the blue meter, but they also sound incredible.