You are thinking of “Boomers”.
I've wondered about the company's customer demographics. Back in the day, the 60s through 70s, my impression was that most buyers were typically higher end professionals--docs, lawyers and such. Practical men who didn't care to ever upgrade. Buy once and forget it. They probably didn't read the magazines (Mac was hardly ever reviewed, and never advertised much). So it had to be word of mouth and/or dealer advice.
[If wives were involved in a purchase, it probably came down to Bang and Olufsen (in order to blend with a Scan design living room). Or a bedroom system (see below).]
A Silent Gen relative owned a Mac tuner/preamp, and the matching amp. He had it hidden in some fancy wall unit cabinets, accessible by lattice glass doors. You couldn't really see the gear, even when it was in use. It wasn't meant to show off. FWIW, his loudspeakers were JBL L100, so you can figure out the era of his gear.
If they are like me, 'Boomers' interested in hi-fi probably have something left over from their heyday, that is still working. Besides, the price of modern Mac is through the roof. Most AARP types, at least the ones I know, tend to keep their dollars close, and are downsizing anyhow. Many have lost their hearing, so what's the point?
Newer 'modern era' big iron MacStuff? Possibly Gen X?
Do Millennials and Zs have the kind of dollars that McIntosh is asking? Or, are they looking at more affordable gear? Possibly checking out the Full of Schiit guys? At the same time, an 'all in one' unit like this little Mac might better appeal to the younger generation, due to its form factor. But @ $7000.00?
Honestly, I have no idea who is buying McIntosh. Or any of the high priced spread advertised in the 'review' magazines. Go to Harman's Mark Levinson site and check out the clip art in their ads. Those roll players sitting on the floor drinking red wine don't look to me like they could afford any of the gear they are using. But who knows? I sure don't.
eftm.com
.... no, not enough....
