Is McIntosh still a good choice?

Personally, i might look at Mac for tubed gear but definitely not SS power amps. I do not agree with their design philosophy of using output transformers for SS amps. There are as many or more technical reasons for NOT doing that as there are for doing it. My main consideration though is that i do not like the sound that they produce. Once again, that is a personal preference.

I think that Bob Bundus mentioned having some of the BIG Mac SS amps and not being too overwhelmed with them either. Let's see if he chimes in. Sean
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Until you own a Mac SS and listen to it over a period of time particularly with the latest designs you may have a thing about the transformers - but one thing I have realized from many many years of owning them and Krell. Levinson, Electrocompaniet and others is the Mac brings music in better with a more natural presence and fatigue free over longer listening periods than many of these. Many amps claim a tube sound with their SS designs but Mac uses what it takes in SS to actually do so. Their tube amps have been what others have been trying to copy for years. Buy that 6900 or go even further with the 2102 and C42 combo and then just enjoy the music!

I've certainly been happy with the Mac equipment that I've purchased or heard over the years. A couple of the earlier messages in this thread mentioned reservations about Mac CD and DVD players. I'd like to hear more about that. Its not been my experience - although admittedly I did recently pair an MVP841 CD/DVD unit with an outboard DAC and found enough of an improvement to warrant keeping it.

Skip

hi! mac was good ,still good and in future for shure good as the best!tubes or solid state,they make music!
keep your mac and be happy with!all best from germany
and enjoy!ciao luciano

Thanks for all the great responses! The McIntosh is very expensive, but I always look at the long-term value of things and include the less tangible emotional value of such investments. I'm convinced that McIntosh is worth every penny and will be a pleasure to own for many years to come, and most importantly, after side-by-side listening tests of various Mc models, my ears are very, very happy with the sound of the 6900. I'm afraid the tube amp is simply too expensive an option right now because of its higher price and the fact that a preamp would have to be purchased as well. Anyway, I need to allow for something to look forward to in the future in the way of upgrades : ) Good listening space fans! AT