Since when has McIntosh been considered Hi-End?

[Desitm]

Since when has McIntosh audio been considered Hi-End?
That was a comment I heard from someone at a recent audio show. My reaction was one of curious amusement because I thought McIntosh invented or defined the Hi-End, at least going back to the mid-1960's.
Where does this snobbery or anti-McIntosh attitude stem from?

I just don't understand it, is it just some competitive spirit at play?

 

[Ste]

Necro Alert!!! - Flaming rainbow Necromancer flys in.Jpeg -


Neil D Tyson Tone; Well actually as I recall Apple/MAC was always regarded as fairly good on audio hardware end.

Now of course there is always exceptions or specific models of products that failed or didn't make final act. But so too not all Corsair and PC Power and Cooling Power Supplies are elite.