Doozy of an amp question

There are so many BP much better then that Mc parts quality leaves a lot to be desired, I owned a audio store for years belong to many audio clubs 

what are you speakers is the 1st question how big is your room ,how loud  do you want to play it ,your speakers and their efficiency first and foremost.

the Coda 50wpc 5.5 pure class A for $6500 a Great Amplifier to start this , Coda has excellent class AB amps that have 3 power  to choose from up to 18 wpc to start into pure class A bias , what’s your budget too , Pass Labs 

some very good classD  amps using Gan Fet technologies  I have the Latest 

Very high current monoblocks  from classD audio .com  excellent and would never know what it is it judt get out of the way of the music ,and power to spare. And under $2500;can  competes with much more expensive amps. Lots of good amps out there to choose from.

+1 for ARC or VTL or VAC as other options.

Not a MAC fan and heard the Sim 761 the baby brother of the 861. I loved the 761 and found it similar sonically to the Benchmark AHB2 but not as sterile. I love the AHB2 but the 761 was definitely a better version of the AHB2. The 761 is very detailed just like the AHB2. 

If you want that detail, then the 861 would be the way to go. If you want Class A warmth or tube sound you are not getting it with the Sim. I have a CODA #16 which is a Class A amp. I would not mind having the 761 or 861 for my office system so I could flip back and forth with my Livingroom CODA #16.

I moved from PassLabs to Esoteric to a used ARC LS10 / D240 MkII and haven’t found a need to change until the LS10 was damaged in transit and I let it go. I’ve retained the D240 because it’s fully balanced differential design. 120W pc of musical SS clarity and musicality. They make a higher power D400 set that could even better suit your speakers. I’m not pushing this specific amp series but showing how the used ARC options can work really well when paired well preamp to amp and amp to speakers.

I use an upgraded AV preamp now to feed the ARC. Ppl won’t believe how good it sounds. At USD$12-1800 it’s an easy entry test for you to try with your preamp.

I've worked on a couple of stereo tube amps, one was a Mac. Never again as was pointed out, the weight is killer.

If you wish to re-tube the Mac, that's 8 power tubes. There's an old adage. SS amps will require x times the cost of a tube amp for similar tone. Dunno if this still exists tho.

Mac has been bought and sold:

https://www.strata-gee.com/mcintosh-group-acquired-by-bose-does-this-deal-make-any-sense/

As for making a decision, if possible, work with a local high end audio shop and take them home and try various amps in your price range. Take note: you can't put a review up to your ear and listen to it. As mentioned, there's a synergy that occurs with your equipment and with your room.