MA6600 or MA7000?

[Haurock]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

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.

Sounds to me like you what you find most important is the quality of the tuner.

If I can suggest see if you can demo a MR88 in your home and see whether or not the quality is what you seek. If so, then I think its a no brainer, get the 6600 with a TM2. If not, then you can get an MR80 and then decide with integrated will match it best.

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by 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,

If you already own some of the best tuners ever built, why not buy the MA7000 and have the best of all worlds?

I own, and am "crazy" about my MA7000.

[mgard]

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.

bradleyc,

Your signature shows you have both the MR88 and MR85. In your opinion, is there that much difference reception wise and sonically between the two? I know jdandy had one and sold it keeping his MR85. That was due to the amount of stations in his area as I recall.
~Mike

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by jprice

If you already own some of the best tuners ever built, why not buy the MA7000 and have the best of all worlds?

Definitely a question I keep asking myself. That and what happens 6, 8, 10 years from now if the MA6600 EEPROM control fries in the MA6600? Will the MA6600 be like MS300 which has no support after 9 years?

And, will I be able to connect all five tuners at once to the MA7000?

Just checked and the answer is that with a set of RCA-to-XLR adapters will be able to do so. The MA6600 has five sets of single-ended inputs with one set of XLRs while the MA7000 has two sets of XLR and four single-ended. Both would work.

[mati1979]

MA7000 have a better pre than MA6600.
A MA7000 have A bit better pre than the MA6600, it is more like the C46.
and the power seems more than 250w,i would say near 300w

[bradleyc]

Originally Posted by mgard

bradleyc,

Your signature shows you have both the MR88 and MR85. In your opinion, is there that much difference reception wise and sonically between the two? I know jdandy had one and sold it keeping his MR85. That was due to the amount of stations in his area as I recall.
~Mike

mgard... Just received a new C500C/T and MR88 today from my dealer, and have been listening for a couple hours. This pre/tuner combo sounds very smoothe and relaxed right out of the boxes. It's too soon to compare with MR85 since I've only heard that tuner with C46 and RC-1082 pre-amps. When I spoke with McIntosh on the phone a couple months ago, they gave me the impression that the MR88 FM section was not much better than the MR85, but we shall see HD radio sounds pretty darn good for MP1 broadcasts. The classical HD1 broadcast from 40 miles north of here comes in crystal clear with good bass, nice highs, not tinny at all, and zero drifting and hiss

[mcneo]

I have try both amps at my home setup and in the end I decided to purchase MA7000. In my opinion, MA7000 gives a better control over low, mid and high and for pop music lover, this amp gives deeper bass and faster sounding as compared to MA6600. Also MA7000 has less digital component that requires firmware update which is definetely a plus point.

[mgard]

[QUOTE=bradleyc;113933]mgard... Just received a new C500C/T and MR88 today from my dealer, and have been listening for a couple hours. /QUOTE]

Congratulations on your upgrade. That is some beautiful equipment. Please keep us posted on your impressions. I would like to some day get another McIntosh turner that I can operate from my C2300 remote.

[BuffaloBill]

I am very pleased with my MA6600. Plenty of power and I really enjoy the digital volume control and digital read-out of all pre-amp funtions. The T2 HD tuner is excellent and out-performs my MR74 tuner which I put in storage.

[Formerly YB-2]

Am pretty much settled on the MA6600 with TM2 module. Just hoping it doesn't sound like the MA6900 or MA2275 when I get it in my set-up at home.