Brand preference and opinions

I guess for me it comes down to if I don't have a chance to listen, what would be safer to buy, a matched Mcintosh amp/preamp or a matched Yamaha amp/preamp.

I figure it is easier to sell to an audiophile a Mcintosh than a Yamaha thus for obvious reason, it is safer to buy something from the top group.

Also would I not be right to say that generally something coming out of Mark Levinson would be better than a Denon?

I love some people two liner response, please elaborate instead of just trying to increase their own thread count.

Honestly, looking for a $3-5k (used price) amp/preamp or integrated but i just can't subjectively go out and listen as the stores are far in between, they use different equipments and interconnects and most important, many of the models sold on agon are not carried at the local stores or must be ordered or no longer in production.

The threads here are a wealth of information, recommendation and opinions. They can easily be seasrched through. But, even then, you'll get conflicting answers. For example, I wouldn't buy McIntosh and don't consdier it high end. Whatever that really means and how ever you try to distinguish it in the thick middle of things. At the extreme's it's a no brainer: High = Lamm, Shinbdo, etc. Low = Sony, Bose, etc. I'm sure there will even be debates on this

mags5000.....if I could have said it as well as you, I would have said it long ago. Bravo!

Shsu, given what you said about the importance of resale, I would recommend that you buy Mcintosh. Although you will probably have to pay more than for comparable other products, you will be safe in resale. I don't know why you posted, however.

You need to include Audio Research in the group without a doubt!