It’s highly unlikely the difference between the DAC in this amp and a SOTA DAC are audible. In any case, the Mac integrated preamp is superb so don’t hesitate to buy a Topping D30 to run outboard if you want the extra .001%.
Buy one and send it in for review! Buy it for the looks. The audio is probably fine but not great. Probably a ton of power output.
Given the relatively small cost of implementing a good DAC, and given the possibility of changes in digital formats over time, I've never been much of a fan of a DAC inside (or as part of) an amplifier. It's easier to replace a DAC than an entire amplification chain.
Perhaps things are stable and it's not an issue. I recall when digits were a relatively new thing. Some integrated amps came with their own DAC--circuits that were soon obsoleted by new designs, making the digital feature sort of useless.
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Just turn the LED’s off. It’s simple and easy.The other sort of paradoxically interesting thing about McIntosh: Their products are expensive but (by and large) not insanely expensive.
They're on the low end, price-wise, of the pure-play audiophile brand firmament, I'd opine (that's just an empirical/anecdotal observation).
For example, I think the current MC275 is (still) perfectly reasonably priced for what it is -- I just wish it didn't have goofy LED 'status' lights under the small signal tubes
I think that's why their market (for new products) is half nouveau riche (or oldveau riche, as the case may be ) -- and the other half are guys in "wife-beater" t-shirts and worn-out Carhartt work pants who are spending their rent money aspirationally to have Mac 'cause it's the best man.
(note the very deliberate use of the verb "think" above-- strictly my opinions, no more & no less)
On the plus side, most (not all!) Mac stuff holds its resale value pretty well.
I'm interested to know if the quality of the amp justifies its high price.
Why in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster would you keep expensive speakers you don’t like for 20 years!?I have had Mac speakers for 20 years. Not impressed. They excel at using a lot of power and having poor frequency response. Probably still better than klipsch.
Used to think they were good. Look how much power I can pour into them. Then they were rarely used as nobody in my family likes loud. Now I have the man cave and can play loud when I want. The macs sit in storage. Too hard to sell.Why in the name of the Flying Spaghetti Monster would you keep expensive speakers you don’t like for 20 years!?
I have had Mac speakers for 20 years. Not impressed. They excel at using a lot of power and having poor frequency response. Probably still better than klipsch.
The other sort of paradoxically interesting thing about McIntosh: Their products are expensive but (by and large) not insanely expensive.
They're on the low end, price-wise, of the pure-play audiophile brand firmament, I'd opine (that's just an empirical/anecdotal observation).
For example, I think the current MC275 is (still) perfectly reasonably priced for what it is --
I think this is an important point that sometimes gets lost in these discussions of ”high end“ audio. With many of these brands, there is an active after sales market which greatly reduces the cost of owning it. I love my Topping DAC, but there will likely be no buyers for it in 24 months time. You can always find someone willing to take an old McIntosh, Accuphase, Bryston, etc. off your hands at a decent price.Especially when you take overall cost of ownership into account.
Lately they have been a proponent of multi element/ line array designs (which we could discuss)...
Mac's 'array' designs have been around for years. I'm speaking from total ignorance since I never listened to a pair--I can only imagine what they might sound like. How they integrate 81 closely spaced drivers to create a coherent sound field is something I'd be interested in knowing. I'm sure you get a huge 'presence' with lots of power handling; but it's not going to sound like the usual coherency you might expect with a tall electrostatic or ribbon based loudspeaker.
To some it will certainly look 'impressive'. And it's certainly large. Couple it with a couple of their ninety thousand dollar (each) mono amps and make your dealer happy.
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What is your opinion of the McIntosh MA9000 amplifier? It has an integrated DAC.
10.000 euros approx.
The other sort of paradoxically interesting thing about McIntosh: Their products are expensive but (by and large) not insanely expensive.
They're on the low end, price-wise, of the pure-play audiophile brand firmament, I'd opine (that's just an empirical/anecdotal observation).
For example, I think the current MC275 is (still) perfectly reasonably priced for what it is -- I just wish it didn't have goofy LED 'status' lights under the small signal tubes
I think that's why their market (for new products) is half nouveau riche (or oldveau riche, as the case may be ) -- and the other half are guys in "wife-beater" t-shirts and worn-out Carhartt work pants who are spending their rent money aspirationally to have Mac 'cause it's the best man.
(note the very deliberate use of the verb "think" above-- strictly my opinions, no more & no less)
On the plus side, most (not all!) Mac stuff holds its resale value pretty well.
Which is exactly why there are (still) a few Mac pieces here!McIntosh is also good value in that the resale is crazy good...