McIntosh MA6600 voiced simular to MC402?

I've heard the 402 a bunch and listened to the MA7000 a few weeks ago for a long time. I haven't heard the 6600 yet but the MA7000 is the one to compare a 402+Cxx to anyway. All I can say is the 7000 was really a special amp. I heard it on Avalons and DALIs and both were fantastic (G08 source). Beautiful, organic, natural, and yet highly detailed and dynamic at the same time. Quite a feat. We pitted it up against top-level Accuphase and there was no comparison - the McIntosh had so much more presence and emotion, it was amazing. The 7000 is a big step up from the 6900 in every way. The only advantage the 6600 might have over the 7000 is the digitally-controlled volume.

Arthur

My guess is that the 6600 is better than the 6900 because the two new integrateds are based on the Reference circuits. The 6900 was a great amp but you had to be careful to match it to speakers that weren't soft or slow. The 7000 is not that way at all - it has "get up and go" that the 6900 never really had. I'd say the 6600 is very similar to the 7000 circuit-wise.

As for C220/252 or a 7000, that is a tough call. I think I would go for the separates but that is me. I like the felxibility. However, one thing I didn't care for with the C220 is that the controls aren't as nice as the higher level Mcs. It seems to me there is some obvious cost cutting on it. For example, the volume control doesn't feel nearly as nice as my C42's (or the C46 for that matter). Also, when you change inputs, the clicks are "tinny" sounding whereas the other preamps sound like solid and well-damped clicks. Any way, minor stuff I guess but kind of important to me for a preamp.

Arthur