Quote Originally Posted by basite
I bought it in at a Mcintosh dealer, it is used, but not abused, I paid €1600 (Mcintosh is pretty expensive here in europe, the retail price (new) was around €4500)
Mmmm, I know I'm in the minority here when I say I'm not too fond of the McIntosh look (still looks to antiquy for me), but there are some other amps in that price and performance range I wouldn't mind owning. What keeps sticking in my mind is what dogorman said, about this being such a good investment over time. These past few years, I've literally replaced my whole two-channel system from top to bottom at least three times - but if I had an amp with the kind of pedigree that yours has, that would have been two components less I would have replaced (amp & preamp).

It also allows one to become truly familiar with the sound of that component so that everything else connected to it and exchanged over time becomes peripheral - i.e. it becomes the baseline for everything else connected to it. How many of us can say that a specific piece of equipment is the constant in their systems, without wishing for something better? In that respect, the cost, over time (not to mention the health benefits brought on by the peace of mind), becomes an afterthought.

Yes, you could own this amp for 20-30 years without ever wishing for anything more. McIntosh is certainly not the most expensive out there, but it's reputation for reliability, quality, and for some, looks, make it a piece worthy of heirloom status. Heck, some McIntoshes sell for much more used than what they cost when new - how many manufacturers can make that claim? I bet there are many audiophiles out there who would rather own a Mac than an amp twice its price, or maybe at any price. I can't think of many other brands out there that carry that kind of reputation (Levinson? Krell? Dynaudio?).

So yes, the amp was an extremely good investment.