McIntosh MA 6600 – High End Stereo Equipment We Buy

McIntosh is one of the most dependable brand names when it comes to high-end audio systems. For years the brand has been recognized by audiophiles throughout the world as equipment that delivers clear and consistent quality in music. McIntosh is probably best known for its amplifiers and preamps, but the company produces many other components and parts for stereo and home theatre.

What are the specs for the McIntosh MA 6600?

Power output:
200 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response:
20Hz to 20kHz
Total harmonic distortion:
0.005%
Damping factor:
40
Input sensitivity:
2.5mV (MM), 250mV (line)
Signal to noise ratio:
84dB (MM), 92dB (line)
Output:
1.4V (Pre out)
Speaker load impedance:
2Ω to 8Ω
Dimensions:
9.4 x 17.5 x 22 inches
Weight:
75 lbs

What else to know about the McIntosh MA 6600?

"It is well-known that tube amplifiers tend to produce a slightly different sound than transistor amplifiers. The MA-6600 is a transistor amplifier, therefore it strives to produce a slightly different sound than, say, some of McIntosh tube amplifiers (eg. MC-275) Such findings are, however, pure generalizations. I’ve seen many times how even the best tube amps on earth, do not miraculously shine in a wrong environment. For the same reason, I’d not recommend, obviously, the 200W MA-6600 as an ideal amp for a vintage horn speaker or some hyper-sensitive widebander. The thing is not that the MA-6600 could not drive eg. a widebander. I tried it with a >95dB sensitive widebandwidth speaker, and there wasn’t anything in the sound why I should not have continued listening. Quite the contrary. The bass sigh from the rear horn was better in control than with some of my tube amps, and the tweeter performance wasn’t unpleasant for my ears at all. In addition, the MA-6600 was dead quiet, no hum, no hiss, no nothing which is remarkable given the sensitivity of the speakers. Could it be that high impedance speakers suit better for transistor amplifiers with auto-transformers than low impedance speakers? I don’t know, but in spite of everything I would leave widebanders and horns backed by huge motors out of the MA-6600’s speaker selection, and concentrate on another type of speakers, which there are plenty, and the number of which the MA-6600 is not restricting thanks to its 2, 4 and 8 ohm speaker outs. The most sensible approach to the so-called amplifier “sound” is to try to understand the amp in a right kind of speaker environment. In the MA-6600’s case, this means, mainly, although not exclusively, power hungry dynamic speakers. The best would have been able to try how, say, half a dozen different types of dynamic multi-way speakers react to the topology and auto-transformers of the MA-6600’s output stage." - Inner-Magazine

Brief History of McIntosh

Long mapped-to Binghamton New York – the current headquarters and manufacturing center for McIntosh Labs – not many people know the brand was originally launched outside of the Nation’s Capital in Silver Spring Maryland, in 1949. In 1956, the brand built their original facility in New York, according to the official brand website.

Other McIntosh Products We Often Buy

Typically, StereoBuyers purchases mostly used amplifiers, especially the vintage amps and high-end McIntosh models such as the MC202 or MC252, and the C220 preamp, for example. We have also purchased many pre-owned tuners from McIntosh over the recent years, including the MR67 and MR78 models, for example.

StereoBuyers has purchased tens of thousands worth McIntosh brand equipment since 2014, with individual buys ranging from $100 to well over $50,000. If you are moving, ready to upgrade, or have McIntosh equipment you do not or will not be using, why not contact us today to find out if it is worth good money?

If you are interested in selling your used McIntosh equipment to us in the greater NYC area or Colorado, please click here to fill out a Free Quote Form and we will get back to you. If we agree on terms, we come to meet you where you want, and pay cash.

The following images show actual McIntosh equipment purchased by StereoBuyers.