MA6600 or MA7000?

[Formerly YB-2]

Am about to decide between the MA6600 with TM2 module or the MA7000. They are essentially the same price and am wondering if there is any advantage to the extra 50wpc of the MA7000? I am never a 'head-banger' listen in the near-field, so 200wpc should more than be enough. Have listened to both of them, but in different venues, so could not A/B. Both were very, very good and asethetics is not an issue for me with either. What say you?

[tdelahanty]

I talked extensively with Mac before I bought the MA7000. The differences are not skin deep. The 7000 has larger autoformers and power supply, it will deliver much more current at sustained levels. This will help with much tighter bass, overall clarity and detail. The 7000 has the best soundstage of all the equipment I have owned and is absolutely killer on female voices.

I went the extra mile, got the 7000, and have never regretted it !!!

Cheers: Tom D.

[Eduro]

Looks and sound the 7000, sound only the 6600, both are great!!! depend on the cash you want to spend.

[tdelahanty]

Originally Posted by KMC45

Tom,

Didn't you sell your MA7000 on audiogon?


Glen,

The decision will be made on features and looks, it won't be on any claimed differences in how the two units sound, they don't really exist.

My opinion comes from owning and listening to both units in the same system, in the same room. Listening to these units in different locations with different speakers and source material makes it impossible to really compare them.

If you get the MA6600 with the TM-2 TM make sure you get the updated firmware, otherwise you can have some issues. I think the newest version is V2.52

Yes, my decision had nothing to do with sound quality. We lost our Mac dealer due to the BB situation. I did not want to be without local support.

Cheers: Tom D.

[Formerly YB-2]

Definitely have checked on the rev in the MA6600 I'm considering and it is 2.52. Hopefully, that will be as reliable and rugged as McIntosh contends. Don't want another "MCD201". Or MEN2200, for that matter. With 90db efficient speakers in the near-field, the 200/250wpc and 50/60amps output is likely not going to make any difference. To my eyes, both are typical McIntosh in looks, though the handles are a nice touch. The one advantage to the MA7000 is the lack of firmware/software. Have to balance that off against the TM2 module in the MA6600, which is something I definitely want, considering that about 75% of my time is spent listening to FM (am lucky to have several good FM stations locally).

[bradleyc]

Unless money is going to be really tight, stretch for the MA7000 and stay away from potential firmware/software issues altogther. You'll have more versatility for future system/room changes if and when they come up, and there have been plenty of mint MR85 tuners on A'gon to choose from lately...

[Formerly YB-2]

Thanks, but I'm a 'critical' FM listener and own several of the best tuners built over the past 40-50 years, and, sad-to-say, the MR85 does not fit into that category. Currently have an MR80 with Terry DeWick for a 'full-house' restoration, hoping that it can keep up with some of the best out there once it has been mod'd to fix its known problems. The best from McIntosh so far has been the MR74, based on sonics. My FMishness is another reason I am more inclined towards the MA6600............want to try the TM2 module to compare against the woeful HD offerings from Sony and others. The MR88 and TM2 are essentially the same tuner other than satellite capabilities. But, who can be serious about Sirrus?

[bradleyc]

I didn't realize the TM2 was the new module with HD, got it confused with the TM1... The MR85 however is a rock solid performer and doesn't need repeated visits to Terry for work. Also, HD is nice for additional radio programming, but calling it audiophile quality sound would be stretching things a bit.

[Face]

I agree, HD Radio is still low res at 300kbit/s or less.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by bradleyc

I didn't realize the TM2 was the new module with HD, got it confused with the TM1... The MR85 however is a rock solid performer and doesn't need repeated visits to Terry for work. Also, HD is nice for additional radio programming, but calling it audiophile quality sound would be stretching things a bit.

No argument from me on the quality of HD. It is a format that is only pushed by those with a vested interest (ibiquity and others) in its success. Absolutely no technical reason for it to exist. And, Terry tells me that his fix on the MR80 is 'once-and-done'. Unfortunately, the chipset used inside the MR85, like most FM tuners for the past 10-15 years, leaves quite a bit to be desired. If I go modern, other than the TM2 module, it would be an MR88. But, while I'm willing to spend the $6-800 for a TM2 module, I am not going to spend $2500+ for an MR88.