New MA9000 on the Mc Site

[MORTIS]

Not sure there are any other changes besides the up-gradable DAC module, which is likely an improved DAC over what's built into the MA8000. And of course the heatsink logo.

[tweet]

The MA9000 is a beauty.

[Higgens]

I wonder whether there might be a Vintage Pete edition MA9000

[ejr1953]

With DAC technology improving at a rapid pace, it's good to see McIntosh making them "modular" in their new products.

[GeAllan70]

Nice...but can you slap in the TM3 instead??....

[Puffman]

Originally Posted by GeAllan70

Nice...but can you slap in the TM3 instead??....

This is what I need to know. If I can get a tuner module in the MA9000 then I am going to have to do some serious saving as it would be perfect for my office.

[jdandy]

ejr1953.......It is one thing to create modular capability into a component, and another thing entirely to actually support that modular capability in the future. I don't mean to sound cynical but many companies have promoted modular upgrade paths and used this notion as bait and hook for sales only to abandon these models for newer models without ever offering the modular upgrades promised. That a modular circuit, DAC, phono stage, or tuner, can be plugged and unplugged into an amplifier's circuitry path doesn't mean a thing if it isn't supported with future improvements. Time will tell if McIntosh ever offers a DAC upgrade path that will truly be a plug and play replacement for the DAC in the MA9000. Color me skeptical. That isn't to be misinterpreted as me not recognizing the astonishing component the McIntosh MA9000 represents.

[GeAllan70]

Originally Posted by jdandy

ejr1953.......It is one thing to create modular capability into a component, and another thing entirely to actually support that modular capability in the future. I don't mean to sound cynical but many companies have promoted modular upgrade paths and used this notion as bait and hook for sales only to abandon these models for newer models without ever offering the modular upgrades promised. That a modular circuit, DAC, phono stage, or tuner, can be plugged and unplugged into an amplifier's circuitry path doesn't mean a thing if it isn't supported with future improvements. Time will tell if McIntosh ever offers a DAC upgrade path that will truly be a plug and play replacement for the DAC in the MA9000. Color me skeptical. That isn't to be misinterpreted as me not recognizing the astonishing component the McIntosh MA9000 represents.

+1

[malba2366]

Sweet....This is the one I want! They raised the MA8900 $500 over the MA7900...this is basically the same upgrade so hopefully it will price out around $10,500. If it is $12k as an earlier posted suggested that makes it somewhat of a tough sell vs the C50/MC302.

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

ejr1953.......It is one thing to create modular capability into a component, and another thing entirely to actually support that modular capability in the future. I don't mean to sound cynical but many companies have promoted modular upgrade paths and used this notion as bait and hook for sales only to abandon these models for newer models without ever offering the modular upgrades promised. That a modular circuit, DAC, phono stage, or tuner, can be plugged and unplugged into an amplifier's circuitry path doesn't mean a thing if it isn't supported with future improvements. Time will tell if McIntosh ever offers a DAC upgrade path that will truly be a plug and play replacement for the DAC in the MA9000. Color me skeptical. That isn't to be misinterpreted as me not recognizing the astonishing component the McIntosh MA9000 represents.

Dan..... I would think it's very expensive for Mc to keep launching new pre's and integrateds. For instance: c2300, c2500, c2600....what is next? In theory, developing a new DAC module should be simple to manage and much more cost effective in the long run vs. launching new pre every 6 to 8 months. Time will tell...