I have a Integrated McIntosh MA6900 driving a JMLAB Micro Utopia.
I am very happy with this setup, but sometimes i think to upgrade (i dont know why eh eh).

In terms of sound quality, there is benefits going to a Pre C46 / Power MC402 ?

I dont listen music very loud and maybe is a waste of Watts (400 Watt!!). Is the MC402 much better in sound quality than may MA6900 ? I need to upgrade my speakers to take advantage of the Pre/Power combo ?

Thanks for the help and sorry for my bad English.

I think the speakers are just fine, however a MC 402 with a 46 may sound better than than the 6900; IHMO.

One of my friends has JMLAB Micro Utopia speakers and I think they sound great! I think these speakers are good enough to go with any McIntosh equipment. :)

The best thing you could do is take home the McIntosh seperate pre/amp combo and listen for yourself and see if the difference is worth the money. I have not listened to the MA6900 or C46 but I have taken home several amps to demo in my system (C2200 pre and Avalon Eclipse speakers). I found the MC275, MC2102, MC252 and MC402 all sounded very close but the MC252 sounded best in my system (to be fair the MC252 was brand new and the MC402 was a two year old demo unit that has been abused). I also decided to take home the MC501s to listen to and I thought they were a step above the other McIntosh stereo amps in imaging and soundstaging, I am now saving up for a pair of MC501s. I also listen at lower levels (75-85db) so I don't need more than 30 watts but the MC501s just sounded the best to me.

Victor

The MA6900 is a truly wonderful 200wpc int-amp, with the traditional Mcintosh sound. I'd think it would be plenty good enough until a major upgrade in speaker bass. If you've got speakers that can actually reproduce down to 30Hz, you could need more current to drive them. But any micro- or mini-monitor, no matter how good, shouldn't sound that much different with more watts, and I don't think the difference in sound between the 6900 and the 402 will be a good investment. I'd upgrade speakers first, then if you find you need more power, go to the 46/402. Just MHO.

Thanks for the help!...

But...and a MA2275 (tube)...it is much different than my MA6900?