New MA9000 on the Mc Site

[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...

[krustycat]

Well, not only DAC module updates, but also new firmware updates to use the new capabilities , which have been problematic in the past and present.

[W9TR]

The cool thing that McIntosh and other manufacturers could do but won't do is to publish their interface control documents so the open source / DIY community (or other manufacturers) could build plug in modules that would work. Want your MQA fix? Get a DAC module from Meridian. How about a dcs plugin module? That would be awesome!

There is precedent. The moome modules kept our Sony G series CRT projectors relevant for a long time by adding hdmi inputs. moome did this without any support from Sony, and it worked mostly.

Small boutique firms may find it possible to keep innovating where McIntosh and other larger manufacturers have bigger fish to fry.

Now back to reality.

Tom

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by W9TR

How about a dcs plugin module?

Best sir,

Bob

[Josep]

10,500 it is !

[ejr1953]

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.

I'm thinking that audio companies are fairly small operations, compared with computer manufacturers, and though they may need to invest in making their components accept a "standard" DAC or other type of module, they may not actually sell many of those modules themselves.

NAD offered modularity with their C390DD integrated amp and some of their newer models. I suppose that McIntosh is a much larger company than NAD. But as you say, firmware updates are not McIntosh's "strong suit".

I do think that the modular DAC is a step in the right direction and as it's been mentioned by others, they won't need to come out with new models of preamps and integrated amps, once they apply the modular design to those models.

[malba2366]

Originally Posted by ejr1953

I'm thinking that audio companies are fairly small operations, compared with computer manufacturers, and though they may need to invest in making their components accept a "standard" DAC or other type of module, they may not actually sell many of those modules themselves.

NAD offered modularity with their C390DD integrated amp and some of their newer models. I suppose that McIntosh is a much larger company than NAD. But as you say, firmware updates are not McIntosh's "strong suit".

I do think that the modular DAC is a step in the right direction and as it's been mentioned by others, they won't need to come out with new models of preamps and integrated amps, once they apply the modular design to those models.

Even if they don't sell many of the modules it could help them with inventory management. Rather than having to clear out inventory of older models at the end of a model run they could manufacture a bunch of inventory without the digital board and then install the latest digital board right before shipping to dealers. It could also allow them to make their lineup more flexible, for example they could easily sell a preamp or integrated amp without a digital section for customers who have a better outboard dac.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by JWJW

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...

Jon.......McIntosh hasn't been launching new preamps every 6 to 8 months. The C2300 was produced from 2008 until 2015. The C2500 was produced from 2013 to 2016. The C2600 began production in 2016 and remains a current preamplifier in their catalog. The statement C1000 series preamplifiers began production in 2005 and only last year were replaced with the introduction of the C1100 preamplifier.

Marketing new components is what keeps an audio company sales and profits growing, and keeps their products in the buying public's mind. Selling an updated DAC module to extend the useful life of an aging component won't keep the financial coffers full. An updated DAC module is great for existing owners who wish to take advantage of such things but does nothing to capture the attention of new buyers. I am not attempting to undermine the value of modular DAC's and the like, only that the idea of future modular upgrades, provided they are supported, won't cease or slow down the introduction of new components.

[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.

[j3brow]

The MA9000 is a real beauty. If I ever have need for a 2nd system, this would be the one to anchor it

One small aesthetic feature I really like on the MA9000 is the display screen. For the life in me, I have no idea why all other modern Mc preamps, including my C1100, say "Input: xxxx". Why put the "input" nomenclature. Completely redundant. Serves no purpose and clutters the look in my opinion. Maybe it's because I owned and liked the the way C2300 and C500 did it. Looks like MA9000 is a return to form.