Has Anyone Compared the 2 McIntosh Integrateds?

I think the MA6900 will have better long term value if that's important to you. Soundwise, it's what I prefer too. As Tellig says, the Autoformers humanize the sound. But it's like asking if the 5 series BMWs are better than the 3 series BMWs. They're different, but both are still BMWs.

Schlep: Do you own the 6900? What speakers were they driving? Did you get to compare the two amps directly?

Interesting thread. For a different prospective I thought I would add my experience. I am using a C-15 together with a MC-202. The C-15 is, IMHO, a much underrated pre. You can probably find one used for about $8-900. Together with a 202 it makes a wonderful combination. Rich deep bass, and absolutely no fatigue, but still tons of detail. Whereas with other amps I often found myself skipping through CDs, now I find that I listen all the way through, to me this says that the system is less fatiguing. I auditioned the 202 with a C-42 pre, and to be honest the differences are very small vis a vi the C-15. The 42 has a few nice features, including balanced connections, that the 15 lacks but any audible differences are pretty minor IMHO. You could probably score a 202 for 2500 used, together with 900 for the C15 and you would have a great sounding system, and more flexibility in the future. Just a thought.

MA6900 is backordered! I was just at a local McIntosh dealer to demo the 2 integrateds being discussed in this thread. The dealer had just sold his last MA6900 to another customer that had ordered it a few weeks ago. They just learned from McIntosh that because of the press that the MA6900 is getting the demand is running very high worldwide. This model is expected to be backordered for several months. If you're ancy you may have to settle for the MA6500 for now. BTW, I preferred the MA6900. This being a long-term purchase I was willing to invest more for the long haul.

A difference there is! I drove 80 miles to a dealer that had them both on display. I first listened to the 6500 driving a pair of B&W Nautilus (the $3600 ones). I don't much like these speakers but they told me what I needed to know. The 6500 sounded good....very good. Full, clear, deep, great soundstage....nothing objectionable. Then we switched to the 6900......very, very nice.......smoother.....the voices were much more real to me, life-like.....the sound was less etched than the 6500......fuller, stronger base.....clearer high notes....more open midrange....I really, really liked the sound much, much more. These amps do sound different.....enough so for me that I will be going with the 6900.....whenever I will be able to get one! I'll wait if I have to.

If your dealer only has the 6500, ask them to let you hear the C42 preamp with one of the seperate Mac amps that has the autoformers (like the MC202). You will get a good feel for the difference that way. Good Luck!