McIntosh vs. ARC

It will come down to personal taste. I haven't found ARC to be very involving or emotional (even their expensive models) but others probably disagree. So, you won't find your answer here. You will simply have to pick one and see if you like it.

I have a friend with the 402s and I do not find them especially 'tubelike' instead they are pretty good for solid state amplifiers - smooth but flat when played with B&W 802D speakers and Meridian CD player

There are a number of Maggie owners here who use McIntosh amps. Search the archives and you will see.

In the last 18 months I've had a mac 352,a MC2102,a MC275IV,C2200 and a MCD201
And now I'm the delighted owner of a new ARC 150.2

I've heard the Arc tube amps as well.
In my opinion the 150.2 is better in ALL respects then any of the Mac amps I've owned.

I also now own a ARC LS26 pre-amp,and a CD# mkII.
I feel these units are also superior.

I think McIntosh has fallen behind the current state of the art technology.