Is McIntosh a stepping stone into HI/FI?

I would say Cambridge Audio is a stepping stone into hiFi as we know it today.
Like Adcom was for a long time. And NAD before them.
Low priced but decent sound as a starter stereo rig.
Many lower priced products with various brands.. All contribute to the starter audiophile.
I doubt many start with MAC gear unless they inherit it.

If you've got MAC you are there!

Among my circle of audiophile friends all of whom have had Macintosh gear in the past, it is not a stepping stone to improved sound, just pretty and expensive.

I think Mac gear is there indeed. It may not be the top pick of all, but that makes it a horse race. Value wise, compared to other top flight brands, it even fairs well in the bang for the buck department. It sounds great, is well constructed and is a joy to use and behold.

I think it is a two way street. I have seen people move from the brands mentioned to McIntosh and some that have had McIntosh and continued on to other brands. McIntosh offers a good sound to my ears and also a very good quality build for the money. I will someday when money permit try other amps, but the one thing I like is that I will not take it in the shorts on re-sale. McIntosh seems to have a good foothold inthe used marketplace. I am sure there are many brands that sound better, but in a bang for buck on sound, quality and service, I am in no hurry to change horses mid-stream.