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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
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.
hififile
236 posts
 
Dear Scootster,

I had the exact same question & problem too. I bought and owned the YBA Integre' DT. It was a very fine piece. However it didn't give me all the sound & flexibility I wanted. I sold my YBA here on A-Gon last year and bought the new McIntosh Integrated from a Mac dealer who arranged for a demo in my home.

The McIntosh gave me better sound, way more power, much better flexibility. And you know, even though it's not considered audiophillic, I found the tone and loudness controls most useful and enjoyable on certain old records and CD's.

I bought the Mac CD player after that and they work very well together. I can give you the highest possible recommendation for the McIntosh. And I can say the YBA is also a very, very nice piece too.

I use Magnepan 1.6qr's and I have a pair of Joseph Audio RM-7 Sigs. The Mac sounded better on both in my Average sized living room.

Hope this helps, Happy Listening,
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Hey Bennet,
You're comparing apples and oranges there. The YBA, Integre, DT is not the fair comparison. The Passion is the one. Two very different animals. While the DT is certainly a killer integrated for the $$, and then some, it's still not in the league with the big boys like the JRDG, Passion, ML, Mac, etc...warren
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