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Mcintosh, YBA, Brinkman integrateds

I'm downsizing my system and I've narrowed my search to these three integrateds: Mcintosh MA6900, YBA Passion Integre and Brinkman The integrated. I would appreciate any opinions on them. I've demo'ed the Mcintosh, but don't have the ability to demo the YBA or the Brinkman (any other integrated recs are appreciated too). I like the Mcintosh, but from what I've read about the YBA and the Brinkman they may be smoother, more grain free, more accurate. The Mcintosh is big and heavy too, the others pretty compact, easier to manage in old age. What's important to me is accurate midrange, clean highs, bass oomph without bloom. I listen mostly to acoustic music (voice and instrument) with a smattering of rock and electronic and R&B (the Mcintosh seemed to do everything well). I've been spoiled by nice components and I don't want this downsize to hurt. I rarely listen in a sweet spot, mostly off to the side. Budget is appropriate for these products. I have an Electro CD player and Tannoy speakers. People seem to generally like the Mcintosh and the YBA without complaint. IYO, what's the best buy and hold option? Thanks for your time!
scootsterd166
brandon_blair
17 posts
 
Where do you live? You may be able to find someone on here who lives in your area that has either the YBA or the Brinkman that would let you come demo. From my personal experiences I prefer the YBA. Of the many different brands of high-end electronics I've heard, the YBA stuff has always been one of if not my favorite. This includes Krell, Boulder, Halcro, Moon, Conrad-Johnson, Sunfire, Proceed, Mark Levenson, and McIntosh just to name a few and not to say that each of these aren't VERY good manufactures. Its just a personal favorite.

Good Luck to you!
-Brandon
gregm
3,405 posts
 
Scootster: WHICH Tannoy speakers?
The McIntosh is meatier sounding (see Aball above) than the Passion. The Brinkman is s/where in the middle, with the Passion giving the best detail.
brulee
564 posts
 
Add Gryphon to your list of integrated amps. I can't recall the model names,but they have 100 and 200 watt models. Not cheap but built and sound great for SS.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
"Too thin for my tastes?" I used to own the DT and didn't find that at all, and the Passion is a whole other story. It's what makes this a great hobby. I'm a jazz man and the Passion does it for me in spades. The Passion is toasty, airy, sweet on top, detailed and enough current for my system. Everything, of course is very system dependent and I didn't have the same experience, listening through the same stuff as Arthur. Remember there's a cdp, cables,speakers and a whole bunch of other things that affect the sound as well. My A/Bing wasn't, truly, a fair one, but never the less, I believed the Passion was the deal for me. You're comparing some killer stuff. It's going to be a judgement/preference call. All I know is my Audio Aero Prima and Passion are a match made in heaven. Very sweet for SS. Good hunting. warren
royy
148 posts
 
Get a higher power integrated if your speakers are hard to drive and you listen to music at high level specially for some classical orchestra with some loud passage you can drive the Passion to clipping.
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