Wyred 4 Sound STI-500,McIntosh MA6600 and Harman/Kardon 990

[o0OBillO0o]

What would you pick?



W4S STI-500





McIntosh MA6600




Harman/ Kardon 990

The priority is integration, all in one "works well with others", is flexible and sounds fantastic. LOL sounds like a ad for a job or a really cheesy personal ad.

Anyways, couple of discussions have come up and I think I've narrowed down three competitive integrateds.

One is the no nonsense no frills, digital power house. Another is a Classic with flexible features. and the last is the harbinger for future integrateds.

What would you pick?

[Haurock]

Easy, peasy.... MA6600......

[bakerman]

Originally Posted by Haurock

Easy, peasy.... MA6600......

I agree. I think the "sounds fantastic" part of your question ends with the Mc.

I had a Wyred amp and while it was a great performer it was missing something. It had a great all-around sound but there was no sparkle to it. Their amps would work great in an HT application. I also had an HK AV receiver that had a glitch with video scaling. I was told a firmware update would be issued but instead they released a new model the following year... so my days with Harmon are done. My MC402 was a solid performer from day one. It had great sound and just worked day after day. I think the MA6600 is the easy choice here.

[o0OBillO0o]

Interesting.

Did you know that the W4S integrated is fully balanced and offers polarity inversion? These are truly high end features.

Did you know that the Harman Kardon has no video what's ever,MM/MC Phono, offers 2 Subwoofer outs and DSP room correction?

[Face]

If you like a more relaxed sound, Mac.

If you want neutrality and tighter bass, Wyred.

As for HK, I have no experience with anything other than their HT receivers, although I found them on the warm side compared to Onkyo, etc...

[bakerman]

I agree that Wyred are huge bang-for-the-buck products. Like you said, they have high-end features at affordable prices. I still have their DAC2 and think it's a great piece. You could buy the STI-500 and be happy with it for many years.

I realize the HK has no AV section, I just wanted to let you know of my experience with them. They make some very nice pieces that have great sound quality. I just had a problem with how they handled, or didn't handle, my particular issue.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but will you be kicking yourself down the road if you don't go with the MA6600?

[o0OBillO0o]

Originally Posted by bakerman

I agree that Wyred are huge bang-for-the-buck products. Like you said, they have high-end features at affordable prices. I still have their DAC2 and think it's a great piece. You could buy the STI-500 and be happy with it for many years.

I realize the HK has no AV section, I just wanted to let you know of my experience with them. They make some very nice pieces that have great sound quality. I just had a problem with how they handled, or didn't handle, my particular issue.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but will you be kicking yourself down the road if you don't go with the MA6600?

First, Mike, I glad I roped you with this topic. I was hoping you'd chime in and I didn't have to put an All points bulletin out for you!

The HK doesn't really pass my standards of long term value and most of the un-informed would be like it's Just a HK receiver. If it had Levinson or Lexicon written on the front, It would definitely do better sales wise.

Here is another thought, The W4S STP-SE & ST-1000 Combo provides two Balanced in and out, gobs of power, and costs less than the McIntosh MA6600.

Still a McIntosh MA6600 would look nice with my other McIntosh gear..

I don't have the "horses for courses" for a C500 and two MC501s..

[Haurock]

I think you would be much happier with the 6600 in the long run... And you can add at tuner module and turn it into an outstanding receiver!!... And I won't even mention that it would be at home with your MCD500, and your MS300....

Seriously,... Easy peasy.... There is no competition...here.. But I am, slightly biased...

[jfray]

No Question..... Hands Down!!!! MA6600

I LOVED MINE........

[lakesailor]

I would not rule out the Musical Fidelity A1008 integrated amplifier.. As far as integration it has a very good onboard DAC that works with USB,Coax and toslink and it also has a very impressive phono stage onboard that can handle mm AND mc carts. Has tons of power and is very musical. I found an NIB from a local dealer for a fair bit less then the original $5K list price. Just a suggestion……