MAC6700 Stereo Receiver

[samurai7595]

I'm considering getting the McIntosh MAC6700 to use as an integrated amp. I like the fact that it has a built-in tuner since I still enjoy listening to FM stations.

How good is the built-in MC phono stage and DAC on this unit?

 

[samurai7595]

A follow-up to my original post...

How good is the MC phono stage and built-in DAC of the McIntosh integrated amps?

 

[mpholland]

I auditioned one to buy a while back and it all sounded very good to me. It got sold before I could get it, but IMO is the best bang for the buck in new McIntosh out there.

 

[Rprokop63]

Hi,
I have one. I have no complaints about the MC phono section or anything else for that matter. That tuner does HD radio and if you have any local station the sound is amazing! I also use the line out to feed all my devices to my tube integrated and that way I have all my sources accessible via tube or solid state without moving cables. I use the DAC with an iMac and lossless files. It may not be the worlds best DAC but again it sound very good to me. maybe my ears are getting old but I really don't hear much of a difference between that and my CD player. Your mileage may vary.

 

[twiiii]

I auditioned one in my travels out west this year and was pleasantly surprised. It sure a step up from what I started out with from Mac. MA 230 and MR-67. I can't see how you can go wrong. Later on it would make a great center for a second system if you suddenly get the bug and want to leap to separates. I found I really had to make a big leap to be happy. A gentle advance here or there was never the answer for me, even though I tried to take small incremental steps. And really think twice and twice again before getting the Home Theatre bug. Every time I turn around the prices become more ridiculous for the very small gain in realism. And remember your speaker purchase is your most important. That said a 6700 should drive 99% of what's available to their full potential.

 

[JorgeGVB]

I purchased a used MAC6700 from Audio Classics a few months ago and I am very pleased overall. I cannot speak for the MC phono stage, but the MM is excellent. I already had a DAC, so I have not tried the onboard DAC. I have been very busy, but I hope to try out the DAC during the holidays.

Mike at Audio Classics was excellent to work with. The unit was shipped out by UPS and the packing was top notch. The unit is large and very heavy, so make sure you have a safe place to stage it.

 

[AudioClassics1]

That has been one of the best selling items we have had here in a long time. As soon as a pre-owned one comes in, it is gone in a few days. The DAC is outstanding, you get 200 wpc with the autoformers & a HD tuner! Pretty good deal.

 

[Rprokop63]

That has been one of the best selling items we have had here in a long time. As soon as a pre-owned one comes in, it is gone in a few days. The DAC is outstanding, you get 200 wpc with the autoformers & a HD tuner! Pretty good deal.

Yep, mine came from your shop as well and as you say it wasn't there very long before it was on its way to me. I don't know if it's against the rules to say but you guy were fantastic to deal with!

 

[samurai7595]

I finally got to auditioned the McIntosh MAC6700 2-channel stereo receiver on the weekend.

The source was the McIntosh MCD550 CD player, a Rega RP10 turntable (my current model) and for speakers, I listened to both the ProAc Response D30R floorstanding speakers (my current model) and the Sonus Faber Olympica II floorstanding speakers. Bass went a little deeper with the ProAc but the Sonus Faber seemed a little more refined (very slightly). I did not find one speaker "better" than the other, just different.

As for the McIntosh MAC6700 stereo receiver, I was really impressed. I currently own a Devialet 200 integrated amp and in terms of sound, the McIntosh was very close to the Devialet. The only advantage the Devialet has over the McIntosh, is that it's upgradeable (future-proof) via firmware & software updates. For example, when I first got my Devialet, it did not support DSD playback (Firmware 7) but with Firmware 8, it now does. Also, with Firmware 8, they introduced more settings for its built-in phono stage in order to support a larger amount of cartridges. I took a look at the MAC6700 manual and there's no mention of DSD support. Therefore, I would have to assume that if I wanted DSD support, I would need to get an external DAC, even though the receiver has a built-in DAC.

Having said that, I've always liked the look of the McIntosh gear and I have no complaints about it's sound with either speakers. Plus, the McIntosh gear is built solid as a tank and seems to keep its resale value.

Well done McIntosh!

 

[capt.chaos]

The McIntosh MAC6700 is a Great piece of kit! Best bang for the buck in audio right now in my opinion.

 

[capt.chaos]

Audio Classics is the best place to get anything Mac. That's where I get all my Mac stuff. Customer service is second to none.

 

[Rprokop63]

I took a look at the MAC6700 manual and there's no mention of DSD support. Therefore, I would have to assume that if I wanted DSD support, I would need to get an external DAC, even though the receiver has a built-in DAC.

Having said that, I've always liked the look of the McIntosh gear and I have no complaints about it's sound with either speakers. Plus, the McIntosh gear is built solid as a tank and seems to keep its resale value.

Well done McIntosh!

The 6700 is upgradable via firmware. That being said I have no idea if the DAC supports dsd or if there are plans for a firmware release for that purpose. Did you try the HD radio? I didn't expect much but was really impressed with it when I got to actually hear it.

 

[samurai7595]

The 6700 is upgradable via firmware. That being said I have no idea if the DAC supports dsd or if there are plans for a firmware release for that purpose. Did you try the HD radio? I didn't expect much but was really impressed with it when I got to actually hear it.

Unfortunately, I did not get to audition the tuner since there was no antenna connected to the receiver and reception was real bad in the dealer's listening room.

I still haven't made up my mind but I'm real tempted to get the MAC6700. I'll be discussing it with the dealer to see if I can get some good money for my trade-in.

The first time I saw & listened to a McIntosh system was back in 1988 and last weekend's audition brought back some great memories from back then...

 

[AudioClassics1]

There is a certain amount of peace of mind knowing that the McIntosh system you first heard years ago is as great as what you can hear at a dealer today. They have stayed very consistent for many years which is hard to do in any business! It's like running into an old friend and picking up where you left off years ago!