I have just purchased a MC152 power amp (my first McIntosh product ever) and straight out of the box, brand new, it's defective. Immediately, the unit goes in power guard mode in the right channel, resulting in thin, weak sound therefrom. My previous "Bryston" amp has lasted 26 years; this "McIntosh" amp didn't last 26 seconds. Methinks McIntosh's QA inspection team is in need of a good inspection themselves. It was an absolute nightmare to lug this 85lb beast up three flights of stairs, only to have to lug it back down, then when it is repaired/replaced, lug it back up again. This should never have happened. My confidence level in McIntosh is this: NO CONFIDENCE. read more