{"product_id":"mcintosh-ma6500-all-analog-integrated-amplifier-serviced-complete","title":"McIntosh MA6500 All-Analog Integrated Amplifier - Serviced \u0026 Complete","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRecently McIntosh started building DAC's into almost every integrated they make. If you're a purist, you're going to want an integrated that's just that - minus the bells and whistles.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis model hails from the 2000s, and is a solid performer and a great way to get McIntosh magic into your system. A current model 200W integrated from McIntosh would set you back $10,500!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt 200W per side it offers plenty of power to drive most speakers, even the more difficult ones. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKey McIntosh features include Power Guard and Sentry Monitor protection circuits. Power Guard helps prevent audible clipping by automatically reducing input drive when necessary, while Sentry Monitor provides fuse-free short-circuit protection that automatically resets once normal operating conditions return.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular MA6500 also has the benefit of being serviced in-house, where a handful of components were replaced, the meters were calibrated, and new lamps were installed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt will come as a complete set including its original remote, manual, and McIntosh double shipping-carton for safe transport. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMcIntosh Performance Features Include:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e• Power Output\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTwo separate power amplifier channels, each capable of 200 watts and a sophisticated control center in one compact unit with less than 0.005% distortion.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e• Power Guard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth channels include the patented McIntosh Power Guard circuit that prevents the amplifier from being overdriven into clipping with its harsh distorted sound that can also damage your valuable loudspeakers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e• Electronic Input Switching \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDigital Logic integrated circuits drive Electromagnetic switches on all six inputs and operating functions for reliable, noiseless, distortion free switching.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkyFi Cosmetic Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall condition is great with only extremely minor wear. We replaced the meter lamps on this unit, but the meter illumination is still a bit subdued compared to current production McIntosh components.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkyFi Technical Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis unit arrived in non-working condition. We identified some faulty components in the power supply, along with a several damaged operational amplifiers. We replaced the defective components, calibrated the meters, and replaced the meter lamps. All functions have been tested and verified.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrand Background:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMcIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment based in Binghamton, New York. The company was founded in 1949 by Frank McIntosh. The company designs and produces audio amplifiers, stereo tuners and other consumer electronics products.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOwnership:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSecond Owner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eConnections:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRCA, Power control, Speaker Binding Posts, IEC Power input\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Sound:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCosmetic Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e8\/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/pages\/our-rating-scale\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorking perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnit, Box, Manual, Power Cord\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePacking:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Manufacturers Packing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal MSRP:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e$4,500.00\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecs:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRMS Power Output (8\/4\/2 ohms)\u003cbr\u003e120\/200\/250W min. sine wave continuous average power output per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with both channels operating\u003cbr\u003eOutput Load Impedance\u003cbr\u003e2, 4, or 8 ohms\u003cbr\u003eRated Power Band\u003cbr\u003e20Hz to 20kHz\u003cbr\u003eTotal Harmonic Distortion\u003cbr\u003e0.005% max. at any level from 250 milliwatts to rated power per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with all channels operating\u003cbr\u003eIntermodulation Distortion\u003cbr\u003e0.005% max. if instantaneous peak power output does not exceed 400W per channel\u003cbr\u003eS\/N Ratio (A-Weighted)\u003cbr\u003ePower amp: 110dB below rated output\u003cbr\u003eHigh level: 100dB below rated output (90dB IHF)\u003cbr\u003ePhono: 90dB below 10mV input (84dB IHF)\u003cbr\u003eDamping Factor\u003cbr\u003e230 (8 ohms) 120 (4 ohms) 60 (2 ohms)\u003cbr\u003eInput Impedance\u003cbr\u003eHigh level: 22k ohms Phono: 47k ohms, 65pf Main in: 20k ohms\u003cbr\u003eVoltage Gain\u003cbr\u003eHigh level to tape: 0dB High level to main: 20dB\u003cbr\u003eDynamic Headroom\u003cbr\u003e2.4dB\u003cbr\u003eFrequency Response\u003cbr\u003e20Hz to 20kHz, +0 \/ -0.5dB\u003cbr\u003eMaximum Voltage Output\u003cbr\u003e8V from 20Hz to 20kHz\u003cbr\u003eInput Sensitivity\u003cbr\u003eHigh level: 250mV for 2.5V rated output (50mV IHF)\u003cbr\u003ePhono: 2.5mV for 2.5V rated output (0.5mV IHF)\u003cbr\u003eMain in: 2.5V for rated output\u003cbr\u003eMaximum Input Signal\u003cbr\u003eHigh level: 10V Phono: 90mV\u003cbr\u003ePower Guard®\u003cbr\u003eClipping is prevented and THD does not exceed 2% with up to 14dB overdrive at 1kHz\u003cbr\u003eTone Controls\u003cbr\u003eBass and treble: ±12dB\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e17.5 inches wide (44.5 cm), 7.125 inches high (17.9 cm), and 18.125 inches deep (46 cm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e41 lbs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproximate Age:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1999\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLink to Manual:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mcintoshlabs.com\/-\/media\/Files\/mcintoshlabs\/DocumentMaster\/us\/Legacy\/MA6500-RW-OWNERS.pdf?rev=3a8e1af436884920be431d8ad83f08b6\u0026amp;revision=3a8e1af4-3688-4920-be43-1d8ad83f08b6\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommended Cables:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-hero-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-silver-streak-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kimber Kable - TAK-CU - New Speciality Series Tonearm Cable, New - SkyFi Audio\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-tak-cu-phono-cable-with-wbt-connectors\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Phono Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/collections\/our-kimber-kable-collection\/products\/kimber-kable-ascent-series-hero-analog-interconnects-pair-balanced-xlr-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors\u003c\/a\u003e - Better \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/collections\/our-kimber-kable-collection\/products\/kimber-kable-summit-series-silver-streak-analog-interconnects-pair-balanced-xlr-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors\u003c\/a\u003e - Best \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-8tc-8-tc-ascent-speaker-cables-pair-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Speaker Cables\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-summit-series-monocle-xl-speaker-cables-pair-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR)\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-pk14-pk-14-ascent-power-cord-brand-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Power Cords\u003c\/a\u003e - Better \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-ascent-series-pk10-pk-10-power-cord-brand-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Power Cords\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTesting Process:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the device has the ability to decouple the preamplifier from the power amplifier, we remove the jumpers and independently test each section. If the device cannot be decoupled, we assess the electronic condition of the piece by analyzing the speaker level output only. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe start by connecting the \"Pre-Out\" jacks of the integrated to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnce the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the preamp section is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNext we test the power amplifier section by connecting the integrated amplifier speaker outputs to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1 KHz test signal at the \"Main In” jacks and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1 KHz square wave check and a 20 Hz to 20 KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier’s frequency response characteristics. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the preamp and power amp both pass these tests, we reconnect the sections and verify that the preamp section can drive the power amp to rated power with a 1KHz tone on one of the line level inputs. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBefore the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the unit passes all of these tests it moves to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours minimum. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McIntosh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67835645657342,"sku":"107761","price":6480.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/3275\/9084\/files\/mcintosh-ma6500-all-analog-integrated-amplifier-serviced-complete-874.jpg?v=1792789749","url":"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/en-au\/products\/mcintosh-ma6500-all-analog-integrated-amplifier-serviced-complete","provider":"SkyFi Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}