McIntosh decisions

I have a MA 9500 hooked up to a pair of Serafinos. I’ve played them very loud with no clipping. 
 

I haven’t heard the separates, either. I have heard the 12000. It was amazing. The separates may not be necessary if you can’t hear a big difference between the 2 options. 

Just 2 cents here, but I have the Nova III’s as well and am using an old MC402 and am very happy with my results. I can’t speak to the Mc Pre amps as it’s been years since I have had one, I am using an Audio Research LS28. One thing you don’t mention is cables, I have been using Cardas in my system for years. Recently I upgrade older Golden Cross for Clear Reflection and I swear the III’s testes dropped! The bass came alive and deepened tremendously.

Good luck!

I have the 462 and a c53 running my Wilson Sasha 2 and its a great combo, Tons of power, strong, powerful and musical. Does my ARC REF160s amp / ARC LS28se pre sound better? Yes, bigger soundstage and more harmonics/musical - but the Mac stack is 90% and bullet proof reliable.

I have the C2700 with the MC462, and before that had a C2800 for awhile but it had a phono stage inop and I returned it.  But the two sound very similar with the 462.  My take is that the C2800 is slightly more refined, a tad (very small) bit less warm than the C2700.  Prior to these I had a C49 digital.  Both the tube preamps with the 462 are more warm and have more punch in the bass, without sacrificing clarity.  The 462 has oodles of power, the combo is dead quiet, love it and won't be needing anything more.

My take is it's a GREAT combo.  The DA2 DAC is far better than the DA1, and better than most others I've tried.  I have tried all hookups to the DA2 and for me the cleanest sound comes from using an optical cable for digital.

Best of luck!

First off, I love my McIntosh separates. C55 and MC601 monos. My only experience with Mac integrateds was the MA352 and I did not like it at all. My advice is to try and compare the 2800 with one of the solid states pre’s, like the C55. Mac tube stuff is not very “tubey” IMO. Yes, I know you can tube roll, but really not interested. I’ve come to appreciate my Mac solid state pre much more than the my previous Mac tube pre.