The 7900 is virtually identical to my MAC 6700 (which is itself a minor
evolution from the MA 6600) with the 7900 giving up the built in tuner in
exchange for the 5 band eq. Typically excellent McIntosh build quality, the
built in dac is actually quite nice, same for the dual phono stage (mm and
mc). Power is abundant. Not hyper detailed which I consider a positive. I'm a
tube guy and this is the first SS integrated I have been able to drop in to one
of my systems that I have found enjoyable over a period of time. The user
interface is logical and full featured. Some owners of the 6600 seem to mourn
the loss of some knobs since the new integrated lineup consolidates some of
those functions but everything is accessed from the remote. While not
inexpensive, the pricing is reasonable compared to alot of offerings.
Is it the best integrated Ive ever heard? Probably not but I like it VERY
MUCH....I had a Nagra 300b integrated that was pretty special but its power
limitations predicated speaker selection to a point I was unwilling to accept.
Every integrated in this price range has some redeeming qualities and a set of
compromises. I like that it has the built in features that most desire, its easy to
live with on so many fronts and will drive just about any speaker made. I
wanted the tuner and was ambivalent about the eq which is why the MAC
6700 made more sense for me. Speakers are Wilson Benesch ACT and I also
have a McIntosh MEN 220 Room Correction System. One feature you will enjoy
is that the tone controls can be accessed from the remote, are specific to the
input (meaning you can have different trim levels on cd versus your turntable)
and probably most important for your application, the preamp outputs can be
switched on or off from the remote which will enable you to defeat your
subwoofer from the listening position. My wife will actually use it, which
reaffirms it is easy to live with and the learning curve reasonable. Good luck
and go demo for yourself.
evolution from the MA 6600) with the 7900 giving up the built in tuner in
exchange for the 5 band eq. Typically excellent McIntosh build quality, the
built in dac is actually quite nice, same for the dual phono stage (mm and
mc). Power is abundant. Not hyper detailed which I consider a positive. I'm a
tube guy and this is the first SS integrated I have been able to drop in to one
of my systems that I have found enjoyable over a period of time. The user
interface is logical and full featured. Some owners of the 6600 seem to mourn
the loss of some knobs since the new integrated lineup consolidates some of
those functions but everything is accessed from the remote. While not
inexpensive, the pricing is reasonable compared to alot of offerings.
Is it the best integrated Ive ever heard? Probably not but I like it VERY
MUCH....I had a Nagra 300b integrated that was pretty special but its power
limitations predicated speaker selection to a point I was unwilling to accept.
Every integrated in this price range has some redeeming qualities and a set of
compromises. I like that it has the built in features that most desire, its easy to
live with on so many fronts and will drive just about any speaker made. I
wanted the tuner and was ambivalent about the eq which is why the MAC
6700 made more sense for me. Speakers are Wilson Benesch ACT and I also
have a McIntosh MEN 220 Room Correction System. One feature you will enjoy
is that the tone controls can be accessed from the remote, are specific to the
input (meaning you can have different trim levels on cd versus your turntable)
and probably most important for your application, the preamp outputs can be
switched on or off from the remote which will enable you to defeat your
subwoofer from the listening position. My wife will actually use it, which
reaffirms it is easy to live with and the learning curve reasonable. Good luck
and go demo for yourself.