‘dirty’ or ‘industrial’ by design? if dirty that is unacceptable at $8k - plenty of $8k dacs that aren’t dirty and sound amazing
Send it to McIntosh to be chrome plated…….
What mod might owners try with the bottom plate or would that be a risky experiment?
Given that the bottom plate is the ground plane, and it is already been treated to minimize oxidation, I would leave it alone - especially given any modification would be esthetics only.
Nothing to do with mod. Just an observation.
Gives an impression that the unit is “pre-production” rather than the finished article.
Saying it “saves cost” by not using a separate plastic plate may be true but not the best excuse.
If it was any other item purchased, like a car’s paint or internal finish for example, people would not be holding back on their views but returning it.
When getting to the level and cost of these products I am expecting pristine build quality in every way. This is disappointing. Just my take on it.
I worked with a personal products manufacturer on the designs and implementation of their manufacturing systems. Accuracy and repeatability took first position for product quality and also for “perceived quality”; variables like color. texture, taste that had zero effect on the purpose of the product but would cause buyers to look elsewhere. Perceived quality will effect the success of any product.
The untidy finish of the underside of a piece of electrical equipment designed and expected to remain placed on a shelf is hardly akin to a flaw in a car’s paint.
An actual relevant simile is obsessing over the underside of the car’s floor mats.
How much more would you be willing to pay for a pretty bottom plate you see only when turning the product over?
As usual I’m reminded here of a joke: “doc, it hurts when I do this. So don’t do that”.
Elk beat me to it, I had much the same reaction to the car quality analogy. I rarely look under the hood, and certainly not under the car.
We all like great looking gear, and the PMG looks appealing and well thought out inside and out.
Underneath and out of sight, who cares.
I think for 9k you can expect a few responses like “I care". And to points above, it’s just a bad vibe. And while your point is somewhat “ It does not matter if you don’t see it" how many folks are wondering what else they don’t see?
I would be concerned that reviewers might get distracted.
Most audio components are fairly laid bare and you can see what’s going on. Every manufacturer makes component cost decisions and decides what the value of each is, perceived or actual.
One could argue that the milled aluminum front panel is overkill and adds no sonic improvement on its own, but it sure is pretty.
When I saw those big fat caps in the PMGP at Axpona, that was beauty in the eye of this beholder.
The bottom plate of my Diablo 300 has what I would call a few dirty… dried up looking liquid runs… from some type of a manufacturing process. Not to pretty… but the sound is beautiful! 
Hello
Congratulations on your PMG Signature Preamp. I am really happy and glad for you,
Is there a chance that you may be able to lay out some more pictures showing off your PMG.
Thank you
Probably the biggest mistake I’ve ever made in audio was selling my Airtight ATM-2. Besides sounding amazing, the casework was top notch, including the under side which had a thick and beautiful copper plate. I was hesitant to use the footers I had at the time, in fear of marring the exquisite undercarriage of my amp.
I remember the dealer who came over to help me set up my system, being very concerned about me using footers under the amp, and cautioning me not to do so. Said it might reduce the resell value if you scratch or scuff up the bottom copper plate.
Airtight amps are pretty and beautifully made, point to point wiring and all.
But pricy. Was not this amp approaching $15,000?
When I purchased it years ago it was $7,000. That was a lot dough back then.
Just looked up the current price. $24,975.00
That’s a heckuva increase.
Even with the tariffs which are currently 15% although the way things are that could change 5 times before the end of the week. Okay, I’m exaggerating but the degree of uncertainty for foreign companies trying to price their products isn’t an enviable position to be in.