New MA8900 Integrated

[W9TR]

"...eliminate thermal equilibrium lag..."

I wonder if application of those transistors is new, or exist in other current products. I'm convinced my 452 sounds better the next day (hours of warmup, I leave it on over the weekend). Others tell me that's called "Saturday" and has nothing to do with warmup.

All the recent McIntosh SS amps like your MC452 use these new thermal tracking output transistors. I'd guess they would make the biggest difference in the first several minutes of operation during warmup from a cold start. After that, not so much. But that's just a guess.

I'm not surprised your amp sounds different after it is on for along time. I have some gear the changes over time, some that doesn't.

Tom

[Timobi]

Does look nice. But is there an ugly McIntosh? Nope

[scapa]

Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop

has any brand with modular designs ever come out with updated modules?

Schiit Audio has done it a few times, most recently with the Gungnir DAC, which can be updated to the much better-sounding mulbtibit version for 500.00. Ayre has done it also -- and PS Audio, though some of their updates have involved a fair bit of faffing around.

Good to see McIntosh doing it, especially if it's user-fittable.

[EfeTe]

Looks very interesting / intriguing indeed.

Re the PS Audio's, yes they've gone donw that route and very successfully so. In fact tha possibility of updating the DAC's firmware (as opposed to changing modeules physically), for free, was what prompted me to get the Directstream Junior. In some ways I suppose you get "a different DAC" every time. As it's been discussed here on AA they name these upsates after Colorado mountain peaks, now we are all waiting for their long-awaited update to the Bridge II renderer and the "Huron" DAC firmware which will among other things enable MQA reproduction.

[damacman]

Originally Posted by Timobi

Does look nice. But is there an ugly McIntosh? Nope

MA6400 qualifies ...

[frequentflyer]

Originally Posted by JWJW

I love the size/chunkiness of the 8000. I hope they launch a bigger integrated with the same features.

Per McIntosh, this is the first in a new series of int. amps.

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by frequentflyer

Per McIntosh, this is the first in a new series of int. amps.

Sweeeeet

[malba2366]

Has anyone used this unit yet (is it even shipping yet)? I am thinking of getting this unit to use with 804D3 speakers in a stereo room. I loved the way the ma5200 sounded with the 804d3 at a Magnolia listening room, much beyond the Rotel separates they had on display as well...I can only imagine this unit will be even better. I understand separates may be slightly better, but I like the all in one form factor, and the upgradeable digital board allows the changing of the part that will likely change in the future...also the price is a good amount lower than separates.

Almost all my listening is streaming Tidal hifi. I am planning on using a Bluesound node 2 for the streamer. Would I be better off using the DAC in the Bluesound (which decodes MQA fully), or digital out from bluesound to the likely better DAC in the MA8900 (this setup would only perform the first step of MQA processing).

[Vince11281]

Originally Posted by malba2366

Has anyone used this unit yet (is it even shipping yet)? I am thinking of getting this unit to use with 804D3 speakers in a stereo room. I loved the way the ma5200 sounded with the 804d3 at a Magnolia listening room, much beyond the Rotel separates they had on display as well...I can only imagine this unit will be even better. I understand separates may be slightly better, but I like the all in one form factor, and the upgradeable digital board allows the changing of the part that will likely change in the future...also the price is a good amount lower than separates.

Almost all my listening is streaming Tidal hifi. I am planning on using a Bluesound node 2 for the streamer. Would I be better off using the DAC in the Bluesound (which decodes MQA fully), or digital out from bluesound to the likely better DAC in the MA8900 (this setup would only perform the first step of MQA processing).

I was using a Node 2 when I first bought my MAC6700 and tried it multiple ways. I found that it sounded significantly better using the digital out on the Bluesound to the Mc DAC. In all comparisons I used similar quality cables to take that out of the equation. It was noticeable enough to where even my wife commented on the difference in sound.

[Humbuster]

I love my MA6600, D100 combo. THis one has me thinking.