Marantz vs Mcintosh

Before making a clutch decision and changing gears I would do a standard audition.

I agree, listen for yourself. I do believe that you will like the Mac however. They are smooth and full, and have a great mid-bass that works well with orchestral music, because you feel the weight of the orchestra.

I have the mac 6300 and part of the value is the phono stage. If the phono stage is of no interest than the mac 6900 may be better.

nice equipment...speakers are the key.

Jaybo is right - speakers are the key. The 6300 and the 6900 do NOT sound similar. The 6900 is all about smoothness and coherence whereas the 6300 is about impact and agility. A nice middle-ground, and not just in the name, is the 6500.

Also, what would you change in the way your current system sounds?

Arthur