You will get all different answers. I, for instance, disagree with Warrenh completely. I find the YBA integre (even the passion) too thin for my tastes. The sound is very delicate with not enough energy. The McIntosh has a quite different sound in that it has lots of presence and coherence, soul that makes me smile, and emotion that the YBA, I find, lacks. The MA6900 feels like it takes charge and makes the speaker do what it should, all in a super-silky-smooth manner that leaves me with goose bumps. Soundstage is deeper too than the integre DT when both are playing Triangle Celius speakers and the Mc has a good bit more bass definition (admittedly a lot more power) as well.
It will boil down to your tastes really because the YBA and the Mc are 2 very different approaches. What kind of music do you like? YOu may have to buy used and then resell with little loss if you don't like it. This is what I have done for years. I ABed ML 383 with MA6900 as well and still would opt for the Mc thanks to its smooth power although the Levinson was very nice too. Don't know Brinkman. Good luck! Arthur
It will boil down to your tastes really because the YBA and the Mc are 2 very different approaches. What kind of music do you like? YOu may have to buy used and then resell with little loss if you don't like it. This is what I have done for years. I ABed ML 383 with MA6900 as well and still would opt for the Mc thanks to its smooth power although the Levinson was very nice too. Don't know Brinkman. Good luck! Arthur