New MA8900 Integrated

[Dilettante]

One of my buddy has recently purchased the MA8900 about 2 months ago and I had a chance to go over to his place and have a listen and it was a very capable fully featured integrated amp indeed packed with features eg EQ, tone controls, modular upgradeable DAC. The sound was quite inviting. He has it hooked up to the B&W 804 D3.

Next week I will be borrowing his MA8900 to my place and compare it with my Naim Uniti Nova all-in-one integrated amp (streamer/DAC/integrated amp all in a single chassis) that I have in my secondary system. They both retail for exact same price ($7500) but the Naim is only rated at 80 wpc @ 8 ohms and is way more compact in size than the MA8900. All Naim amplifiers are very conservatively rated but while the Uniti Nova is only rated 80 wpc @ 8 ohms but it is a robust amplifier and its current delivery is phenomenal sooo effortless even when paired with insufficient speakers. I have a pair of PMC currently hooked up with my Naim Uniti Nova. But I have tried the Uniti Nova with some inefficient speakers before and the Naim didn't break a sweat. Both the MA8900 and the Naim Uniti Nova are class AB amplifiers.

I will be hooking up my Naim Uniti Core music server to the MA8900 next week and start streaming my digital files library off the Naim Core music server, which is currently connected to my Naim Uniti Nova and will do AB comparisons with my my Naim Uniti Nova to see how it compares with my Naim. The Uniti Nova has built-in Tidal & Quboz streaming apps and is Roon ready. Do you guys know if the MA8900 is Roon compatible?

If it turns out that the MA8900 sounds more musical than my Naim Uniti Nova I will possibly be selling the Naim and get the MA8900. Will see.

[PeterMusic]

Originally Posted by Dilettante

One of my buddy has recently purchased the MA8900 about 2 months ago and I had a chance to go over to his place and have a listen and it was a very capable fully featured integrated amp indeed packed with features eg EQ, tone controls, modular upgradeable DAC. The sound was quite inviting. He has it hooked up to the B&W 804 D3.

Next week I will be borrowing his MA8900 to my place and compare it with my Naim Uniti Nova all-in-one integrated amp (streamer/DAC/integrated amp all in a single chassis) that I have in my secondary system. They both retail for exact same price ($7500) but the Naim is only rated at 80 wpc @ 8 ohms and is way more compact in size than the MA8900. All Naim amplifiers are very conservatively rated but while the Uniti Nova is only rated 80 wpc @ 8 ohms but it is a robust amplifier and its current delivery is phenomenal sooo effortless even when paired with insufficient speakers. I have a pair of PMC currently hooked up with my Naim Uniti Nova. But I have tried the Uniti Nova with some inefficient speakers before and the Naim didn't break a sweat. Both the MA8900 and the Naim Uniti Nova are class AB amplifiers.

I will be hooking up my Naim Uniti Core music server to the MA8900 next week and start streaming my digital files library off the Naim Core music server, which is currently connected to my Naim Uniti Nova and will do AB comparisons with my my Naim Uniti Nova to see how it compares with my Naim. The Uniti Nova has built-in Tidal & Quboz streaming apps and is Roon ready. Do you guys know if the MA8900 is Roon compatible?

If it turns out that the MA8900 sounds more musical than my Naim Uniti Nova I will possibly be selling the Naim and get the MA8900. Will see.

We have similar taste (especially the Uniti Core--"nobody" has one of those!)--I'm very excited to hear how it goes

[Dilettante]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

We have similar taste (especially the Uniti Core--"nobody" has one of those!)--I'm very excited to hear how it goes

I love Naim and a big fan. The Naim Uniti Core music server is excellent and while there are better and more expensive music servers out there but for the money the Naim Uniti Core is a bargain.
The Uniti Nova punches way above its price point.
I've heard the Uniti Nova driving very expensive speakers ($20k/pair and up) and the pairings sounded impressive and very compatible. the Uniti Nova didn't seem out of place driving speakers that cost north of $20k.

In my main primary reference system setup I have recently upgraded to all Naim 500 series separates : ND555 streamer/DAC + its matching external PS DR 500 power supply unit; NAS 500 linestage analog preamp + its matching external PS DR 500 power supply unit; NAP 500 DR power amp + its matching external PS DR 500 power supply unit. They are significant step up from what I had previously, which were the Classe Omega Reference monoblock amps, Classe Omega Reference linestage preamp, Cary Audio CD306 SACD player.
I still have the B&W 800 D3 and am planning to move into different direction as far as the speaker choices. The Naim & B&W sounded terrific together but I feel I want to explore different speaker options out there. I'm considering the Magico, Raidho, ProAc, ATC, TAD, PMC Fact Fenestria (PMC's flagship), Gamut among others. I know for sure the Naim always pair extremely well with PMC, ProAc, ATC and Magico as well as Harbeth & Spendor.

[JBT]

I'm going to get a 8900 for my bedroom system. Good price lots of power and upgradeable DAC.

[SAM992]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

We have similar taste (especially the Uniti Core--"nobody" has one of those!)--I'm very excited to hear how it goes

my dealer has been trying so hard to get me into one of those... problem is I told him, I enjoy playing my CD's thru my transport and don't want to rip them all onto a drive! But if I ever do, I think this would be the solution I'd opt for.

[AudioFi]

The included headphone amplifier of the MA9800 sounds really good. I didn't expect such an improvement compared to the Ma252. Dead quiet
background and it drives almost any Headphone I have quite easy.

A question for owners of audiophile Headphone amplifiers... Compared to a dedicated HP amp do you find a big difference in sound quality? I've never have the chance to try one of those.
Sometimes I like the experience of keep listening to my music after hours, reason why I am looking forward to buy a Hifiman Arya and I want to get all the juice from it.

DAC/streamer: Lumin T2 with Balanced Wireworld Silver to the MA8900


thanks

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by AudioFi

The included headphone amplifier of the MA9800 sounds really good. I didn't expect such an improvement compared to the Ma252. Dead quiet and it drives almost any Headphone I have quite easy.

A question for owners of audiophile Headphone amplifiers... Compared to a dedicated HP amp do you find a big difference in sound quality? I've never have the chance to try one of those.
Sometimes I like the experience of keep listening to my music after hours, reason why I am looking forward to buy a Hifiman Arya and I want to get all the juice from it.

DAC/streamer: Lumin T2 with Balanced Wireworld Silver to the MA8900


thanks

It will have to be a very, very, good dedicated headphone amp for there to be a worthwhile difference between a high quality headphone section of a McIntosh or a Luxman, etc... Diminishing returns as usual.

Tube headphone amps can and do change the flavor significantly. Like a Woo Audio amp for example. If the different presentation is what you are after, that can be easily accomplished.

With SS it gets trickier.

If you are not ready to invest $2-3K for a dedicated headphone amp, chances are, you may not be blown away by the difference.

[AudioFi]

Originally Posted by PHC1

It will have to be a very, very, good dedicated headphone amp for there to be a worthwhile difference between a high quality headphone section of a McIntosh or a Luxman, etc... Diminishing returns as usual.

Tube headphone amps can and do change the flavor significantly. Like a Woo Audio amp for example. If the different presentation is what you are after, that can be easily accomplished.

With SS it gets trickier.

If you are not ready to invest $2-3K for a dedicated headphone amp, chances are, you may not be blown away by the difference.

Makes a lot of sense, as you say... perhaps just for having a different sound signature I can search a Tube HP amp.

Anyway I really like the sound of the MA8900/Lumin T2 combo as my main system. And if getting an upgrade means investing more than 2 or 3k guess I pass.

I never realized that Mcintosh amps had an included Headphone amp that good!

Your expertise is always well appreciated my friend

Thanks

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by AudioFi

Makes a lot of sense, as you say... perhaps just for having a different sound signature I can search a Tube HP amp.

Anyway I really like the sound of the MA8900/Lumin T2 combo as my main system. And if getting an upgrade means investing more than 2 or 3k guess I pass.

I never realized that Mcintosh amps had an included Headphone amp that good!

Your expertise is always well appreciated my friend

Thanks

Check out Woo Audio for sure. The lower end tube headphone amps with the recommended tube upgrade packages are incredibly musical. I have the WA6 which was one of the lowest priced examples with the 274B Sophia rectifier tube upgrade and 13EM7 tubes. I absolutely love it. What does it take to better that sound? My PrimaLuna headphone section of the amp with its straight through 14 tubes is a bit better but at 4x the price.

[AudioFi]

Originally Posted by PHC1

It will have to be a very, very, good dedicated headphone amp for there to be a worthwhile difference between a high quality headphone section of a McIntosh or a Luxman, etc... Diminishing returns as usual.

Tube headphone amps can and do change the flavor significantly. Like a Woo Audio amp for example. If the different presentation is what you are after, that can be easily accomplished.

With SS it gets trickier.

If you are not ready to invest $2-3K for a dedicated headphone amp, chances are, you may not be blown away by the difference.

By the way... knowing that Luxman produce very fine components. How does the sound signature of Luxman amps differ to the traditional Mcintosh with Autoformers like the Ma8900?