MA5200 or MA6500???

[marems79]

Good day all, Well the bug is biting again! So currently I have an MA6200 and I am wanting to get into a newer mac intergrated. I love the MA6200, but I would like a remote and some blue meters so I will be putting it up for sale to get into a newer unit. I have narrowed it down to the MA6500 or the MA5200. I like the fact that the MA5200 has a nice DAC and newer technology. And from what I have read about the MA6500 it is a power house and a nice sounding unit along with the option of having two sets of speakers. So my question is to those that have compared the two units, what you have found in the sound differences and overall power differences. I will be running moded Klipsch Forte 1’s and or Klipsch version 1 Epic CF-4’s. I listen to just about everything, l love a great sounding unit that has control at low volume and can crank it up at times without running out of dynamics.

 

[charne@sprin]

I've got an MA5200 and like the digital inputs. Sound is wonderful. With Mac gear, I figure there is a uniform level of wonderfulness (is that a word?) -- so I buy based on features. The MA5200 is also, what, a decade, maybe more newer than the MA6500 -- so all those component parts are newer and less likely to need service in the short term.

 

[MORTIS]

I've recently been heavily researching both the MA5200 and MA5300. The MA6500 had an excellent reputation but I personally no longer want an old McIntosh, particularly any model prior to the LED fiber optic lighting. I have a serious dislike for ordering bulbs and changing them every few years in many Mc units from that era which were often solder-in type.

The MA5200 is still on the McIntosh website but my dealer tells me it can no longer be ordered brand new. The MA5300 has many changes to it that are of varying degrees of importance to me.
The DA1 dac module can now be removed and changed if/when further updates are made to the current DA1 module.
The MA5300 has bass and treble but the 5200 had no tone controls
The amp specs now rate it for both 4 and 8 ohm loads, but the absence of that rating on the MA5200 is likely a marketing decision rather than any difference in the 2 models. McIntosh therefore added the dual scale 4 and 8 ohm output displayed on the MA5300 meters.
The 5300 headphone amp now has HXD listening mode available, as are the latest models of preamps and integrates.
The 5300 has a MUCH nicer remote than the 5200 and all early components.
The MA5300 has all the face-plate nomenclature backlit, whereas the 5200 had only the Mc logo and model number backlit. It may seem trivial but the classic beauty of Mc gear is always a pleasure to the eyes.
And last, and yes least, the monogrammed heatsinks on the MA5300 are a nice touch.

 

[marems79]

Charne-sprin I agree with you on the Mac gear sound, and the ma5200 would definitely give more overall features. MORTIS, I also agree with you, the bulb changing can get old really quick, I wish I had gotten the LED kit for my MC352 when they were available from AudioClassics. If the ma5300 was in my budget I would go for that one, so thats why I had the 5200 and the 6500 in mind with my budget price point. So far the 5200 is in the lead. Im liking the reviews I have read and the newer features it has. Thank you both for the replies on the topic.

 

[charne@sprin]

^^^^^^^^^ to add context to my post above, I'm in the process of upgrading my own MA5200 to a MAC6700. I want the extra power and the TU-2 tuner module in the receiver will get me FMHD broadcasts.

 

[charne@sprin]

....... and the end of the story is I did get the MAC6700, but kept the MA5200 which is now in transit (fully packed in original factory double box, bolted to bottom and all, nothing touching the glass) to our winter residence where it will be welcomed back into service when we arrive there in two weeks or so.

 

[dsx123]

....... and the end of the story is I did get the MAC6700, but kept the MA5200 which is now in transit (fully packed in original factory double box, bolted to bottom and all, nothing touching the glass) to our winter residence where it will be welcomed back into service when we arrive there in two weeks or so.

I would be curious how the 6700 compares to the ma5200 soundwise. both are models I am considering, but cant decide.

 

[twiiii]

Well DACS will continue to improve and you may want to use a Rose DAC some day and for me I love knobs and switches and the 5200 only has two knobs, so I would pass on it and get the 6500. But I will say I am a separates guy preferring mono amps and separate pre-amp for my Stereo system. I have to get up and flip LP's anyway so a remote isn't necessary for me. Now with the HT system its vital. Now if we could have graphic tone controls for HT systems. A stereo 3 way electronic crossover from Mac is on my wish list for my HT system. . The sooner the better.

 

[charne@sprin]

I would be curious how the 6700 compares to the ma5200 soundwise. both are models I am considering, but cant decide.

I advise make your selection based on features -- sound quality of each is wonderful -- both are in use by me now. In the end, the benefit for me with the MAC6700 is the FMHD tuner module I got with it. But I just unpacked the MA5200 and brought it back into service, at a winter residence. Listening to it now and love it. But a qualifier -- my program sources are streaming services, VTuner, Spotify mostly using outboard streamer hardware (ViiM Pro Plus), nothing extra fancy.

 

[jayvis]

You've got two very nice pieces. My choice between the two would be the MAC6700 mainly because I lean more toward the autoformer amps. I did own an MA6500 direct coupled integrated for 10 years and loved it. Later, I considered the MA6700 but decided on separates at that time. The MA5200 was and still is a bargain entry into the McIntosh family. And it's much easier to move around.

 

[charne@sprin]

You've got two very nice pieces. My choice between the two would be the MAC6700 mainly because I lean more toward the autoformer amps. I did own an MA6500 direct coupled integrated for 10 years and loved it. Later, I considered the MA6700 but decided on separates at that time. The MA5200 was and still is a bargain entry into the McIntosh family. And it's much easier to move around.

Thank you for your kind words!

...... I moved it around, from Madison, WI to Palm Desert, CA. But I had all the original factory packaging, was very careful to pack it up correctly and not have ANYTHING touching or in proximity of the glass, then shipped it UPS ground heavily insured and kept all my fingers crossed until it was received, unpacked and churning away. The MA5200 is lighter weight than the MAC6700. But be aware that both pieces are 22" deep, deeper than typical audio components. You have to find something to set it in or place it on. In my case, I purchased an inexpensive end table at Home Goods, turned it on its side, pushed it up against a wall, and set the MA5200 on top of it -- works great... even has a drawer and a shelf.