I have bought many new McIntosh products. Some dealers will discount. I used to do business with a McIntosh dealer in Los Angeles, who routinely gave me 20% off the MSRP. I haven't seen or heard the MA8900, but it looks like a good unit. Do you live close to a McIntosh dealer? If so, you should go and hear it. I owned a McIntosh MA6200, bought new in 1980. It was a great unit, and didn't have anywhere near the features of the 8900.
New McIntosh MA 8900 Integrated amp
Does anybody have any experience, or know of any professional reviews? This new model is intriguing to me because it offers an upgrade-able DAC module, as well as both MM and MC phono inputs, and home theater pass through. Also has good power at 200 wpc. If the audio quality is there, I like the way this unit could reduce the clutter and cabling that would go with connecting a separate DAC and phono stage. Also, I've never bought a McIntosh product, so does anybody know if dealers ever discount? This particular unit is not available for online sales.
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=integratedamps&ProductId...
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=integratedamps&ProductId...