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Mcintosh MA6900 compared to Mcintosh separates?

I like the relatively small size of the Mcintosh MA6900 when compared to the Mc separates, but thinking long term are the separates a better option given music abilities and flexibility? In other words, how much of a sonic tradeoff is the MA6900? 200 watts is more power than I would ever need so I'd be looking at Mc amps as an upgrade in sound quality, not power and of course being able to switch out an amp or preamp separately. What about the preamp section of the MA6900 as compared to Mc preamps? Would I be perfectly happy with the MA6900 given all things? Thanks for your input.
cdart9dea
gthrush1
241 posts
 
LOVE

200 wpc of distortionless power into any impedance load across a flat frequency response curve.

An AWESOME phono section.

FANTASTIC controls (preamp) section.

Those BEAUTIFUL big blue meters.

Heck, it's even got a primo headphone section.

All that for $4.5k retail?! ABSOLUTELY! The 6900 is a keeper. Heirloom quality. Sixty years from now my grandchildren will enjoy it.
ceilalex
12 posts
 
I compared the MA6500, the MA6900 and the C42/MC352. There was a definite improvement in sound quality between the MA6500 and the MA6900, but I was hard pressed to find much difference between the MA6900 integrated and the separates. Bottom line, the 6900 is an incredible integrated! Plus, as has been mentioned, you save on a pair of interconnects and a power cord!
aball
2,016 posts
 
This is an interesting question. As far as flexibility, it is a moot point as others said above.

As far as sound quality difference, I can relate to this first hand although with different models. A friend of mine has an MA6400 integrated from a few years back. He just loves it and had me audition it. I immediately began looking of one but to no good avail (I had to have it NOW and did not find one). I then bought the separates that make up the MA6400/6450: the C712 and MC7100. There are many reviews online about how awesome the MA6450 is but no one really says anything about the separate version. I borrowed the MA6400 I had first listened to and compared, head to head, with the separates and I COULD NOT hear a difference or tell them apart. The separates version in this case has a little more power but the sound quality is equally sublime. So, if space and extra cost are an issue, go with the MA6900. It is a heck of a deal compared to MC202+C42 and judging from my experience, they will sound identical (actually they are identical circuits so this is pretty much a given). They are simply beautiful pieces that make the most beautiful music I have heard.
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