New reference Marantz compared to McIntosh

Late reply but here is how the D&M Holdings McIntosh cloning sequence goes:

1. DVD-A1UDCI
2. UD9004 (add beefier metal)
3. MVP891 (add McIntosh logo, delete one HDMI)

Any of these players should make a MCH SACD afficionado very happy, as currently there are no other MCH SACD players sporting six AKM 32 bit DACs along with fully balanced stereo stage.

I have owned both. The Marantz Reference Gear is world class and as musical as McIntosh. So really you cannot go wrong. I just replaced my McIntosh C2300 tube preamp with the Marantz SC-7S2 preamp and I am very happy, no loss of what the C2300 did well, but now I have all of that, plus a lower noise floor with better micro details and a touch of glare is gone. Use the Marantz with my McIntosh MC403 amp with great musical results. The front end is a Marantz SA7-S1 CD/SACD player and I have to say does not get much better than what I am now listening to, no matter the format.

I had the marantz pm 15s2 integrated amp(very nice) Then I picked up a mc2100 hooked it up to the marantz and used the marantz as a pre amp.(nicer) Then I picked up a c-34 and replaced the marantz.(much nicer)  The marantz sounded cleaner at higher volume. The Mcintosh sounded more musical and detailed everywhere. Both amps seemed to like bigger drivers over smaller ones. Both are non fatiguing but the mcintosh is much more dynamic. Ive owned a few different marantz set ups and the pm15-s2 was my favorite  But I sold it and kept the mcintosh.