Why the hate for mcintosh amps?

I still think that serious listeners should go back to older gear from time to time- just to find out that sound has not bettered through the years, maybe utmost.

Jan

So dont tube preamps offer worthwhile sound influence along with a ss amp?  

I think they do...
There are guys out there who recommend the use of tubed preamps with ss power amps as tubes are better for voltage amplification and power amps for current purposes.
I use tube amps and ss amps for the latter, but a tube pre is mandatory IMHO.

Jan

But since tubes are en vogue again there is a lot of junk out there on the market.
The influence of the power supply is much higher with tube gear than with ss-based (pre-)amps.
An improved ps will do magic if you know where to install/change capacitors either in the output stage or in the ps.
My AR pre now shows all the virtues of a modern construction, but still with the magic only tubes can do- decay, resolution, soundstage, imaging.
I will definitely not go back to transistorized preamps.