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McIntosh vs Accuphase?

Right now I'm using a Marantz PM-11S1 w/ Monitor Audio Gold floor standers. I'm a big fan of Marantz reference gear and their smooth yet detailed warmth. That said, I'm looking to get an integrated for my bedroom setup with a built-in DAC (no room for separates), which nixes something like the PM-KI Ruby. Looks to me like the McIntosh MA5300 / 7200 or Accuphase E-280 / E-380 fit the bill. I'm not really interested in Hegel or Rotel based on their aesthetics. I kind of like the idea of VU meters as well. So the question is, between the two McIntosh integrated or the Accuphase, what's my play? I'm located in the US so that's two points for Mc (pricing and service). But the Accuphase stuff looks to have much higher quality components, design, and build quality. Though for the price of the E-280 w/ option boards I could get a MA7200 and have spare change. Hmm...
lostark
gryphongryph
382 posts
 
I guess you guys know that Accuphase is sold much cheaper in Japan than the US and Europe, in Japan they compete with the other big brands like the upper series of Denon, Sony and the like.
what makes Accuphase special, is that they are still privately owned and their products has always been first class in quality.
Now if one likes the design or their sound signature is a totally different matter, each to their own I guess 
pgaulke60
302 posts
 
I don't know what you have going on in your bedroom, acoustically, but the McIntosh RS200 has amazing sound.  I was blown away by how it sounded.  Give it a listen.  You too will be amazed.
mammothguy54's avatar
mammothguy54
949 posts
 
To this day I regret selling my stack of Accuphase to my nephew.  I have a wonderful system now.  It really sounds fantastic and I am satisfied in every way.  My Accuphase stack was from the late 1970s and consisted of a T-100 tuner, C-200 preamp, and two of the P-300 power amps.  Using an outboard active dividing network and running some big Infinity speakers and that system was spectacular.  It looked great and sounded even better.  Build quality is as good as it gets.  I never had a problem with any of the components.  I wish I had never sold it.  
No matter what you settle on you will enjoy it as those are both good choices.  But for me, and based on my experience, I can say the Accuphase is the way to go.
jaulbrich's avatar
jaulbrich
22 posts
 
Listen to the Moon (Simaudio) gear before you buy. Maybe a little more money, but...
mrklas
441 posts
 
I own McIntosh amp/preamp. Haven’t really spent time with Accuphase gear. 
Here’s my view Mac has a string secondary market. 
And I have listened to Moon integrated amps and I have a moon DAC. I agree with jaulbrich as far as quality but not meters
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