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MA8900 Information Display Issues

S

sdaughtry

New Member
My MA-8900 integrated amp is less than one month old and was purchased new from a McIntosh dealer.

When I power it up, now the information panel at the bottom center doesn't illuminate at all; if I use the remote control and push the power on button, then the power off button several times (waiting to turn it off after the amp fully comes alive) THEN the information panel will light up. Everything else is great, but I am at a loss why the panel is flaking out.

I'm hopeful that someone else has experienced this problem and can share how they resolved it, as that panel is super important when trying to change inputs!
 
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There should be a reset procedure in the manual (it is at the end of the programming section / toward the end of the manual on most models), try that.
 
Try unplugging the unit for ten seconds then plug it back in and turn it on. I just had a similar problem with my MAC7200 where it wouldn't display all the tuner indicators and that fixed it. Seems MACs can have these little glitzes when they're new, my transport went through a period when I'd get "no disk" errors which completely went away after I put several hours on the unit.
 
If a reset doesn't fix the problem, call the dealer and demand a new replacement. ..If you wait much longer the dealer might instead insist on repairing the unit which, to me, is unacceptable. At <1 month old, your amp should be perfect.

My first MA6600 was replaced by the dealer b/c one of the meter windows had an optical distortion - it looked like the blue tint film was rippled and quite uneven. ..The dealer said, "don't sweat it, it won't affect how it sounds." I said, "sorry, but at >$6000 I shouldn't be able to find ANY flaws - visual or audible." ..It was replaced with a new unit. ..Just as yours should be if a (solitary - not ongoing) reset doesn't fix the issue.
 
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ODS123 said:
If a reset doesn't fix the problem, call the dealer and demand a new replacement. ..If you wait much longer the dealer might instead insist on repairing the unit which, to me, is unacceptable. At <1 month old, your amp should be perfect.

My first MA6600 was replaced by the dealer b/c one of the meter windows had an optical distortion - it looked like the blue tint film was rippled and quite uneven. ..The dealer said, "don't sweat it, it won't affect how it sounds." I said, "sorry, but at >$6000 I shouldn't be able to find ANY flaws - visual or audible." ..It was replaced with a new unit. ..Just as yours should be if a (solitary - not ongoing) reset doesn't fix the issue.
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I purchased a new McIntosh MA8900 and have had the unit for one year. I have put about 40 hours of play on the unit. It died. Taking it in for warranty service it was discovered that the main controller was the issue. It was replaced...took almost a month to get it back. Three hours into use and the display (information about source and volume...called the information display) died. It is now in for service again. I am so disappointed in the quality of the McIntosh...after owning a number of McIntosh amps, preamps, and integrated amps--all of which I currently have in systems--the new boxes are not the same quality. If this repair requires hardware replacement like the last one, I am going to push for a new replacement unit. Spending $8000 for this boat anchor is a travesty. I have purchased a Rotel 200w/channel integrated amp that sounds spectacular for 1/3 the price as a fill in for the McIntosh.
 
Hawkie23u said:
Three hours into use and the display (information about source and volume...called the information display) died. It is now in for service again. I am so disappointed in the quality of the McIntosh...after owning a number of McIntosh amps, preamps, and integrated amps--all of which I currently have in systems--the new boxes are not the same quality. If this repair requires hardware replacement like the last one, I am going to push for a new replacement unit. Spending $8000 for this boat anchor is a travesty. I have purchased a Rotel 200w/channel integrated amp that sounds spectacular for 1/3 the price as a fill in for the McIntosh.
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Sorry to hear Hawkie23u

I have a digital alarm clock from the 80's that still has a vibrant, perfect display. ..It's inexcusable that the displays on these $7k+ Macs aren't bullet-proof.

Sadly, the days of McIntosh being "heirloom" quality are probably past - especially for any piece that uses a processor. It took McIntosh 3 months to get my display in stock, and that was before Covid! ..I can't imagine what it will be like 20 years from now. Most likely, any piece using a processor will become too costly to repair. ..Easier to just toss it and buy something new.

I also lament that with these new processors McIntosh has moved toward using a wiggly push/scroll knob to access their unique features like Bass, Treble, and Mono buried deep within menus. It was so much better - and better looking - when each of these functions had it's own dedicate face-plate mounted knob or switch. But opinions will differ on this point.
 
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