you'll be able to give the mac to your children or grand-children one day.....
I used to own NAD when I was in school and could not afford the mac.
now I have the MC-275 for my 2-channel and the MC-7205 for the home theater and figure if I ever have kids, it will go to them in the will.
the fact that even your wife noticed a difference (assuming she's not a fan of hi-fi) pretty much says it all.