McIntosh MX406

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $900.00 from 12VKings

Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 McIntosh MX406

Summary:
Its all been said and written already. Fantastic, Amazing, nothing can touch it. Had taken a friend for a ride in my MB and he saw the stereo and asked, "is the stereo vintage". LOL Sure, I said. Not worth explaining if they dont know.

Strengths:
Everything.

Weaknesses:
None. However, I wish the lettering was illuminated like the McIntosh amps in my trunk.

Similar Products Used:
None. Nothing close to being similar.

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Steve's Sound & Secu

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 MX406

Summary:
This is my first car high end deck. I was a little reluctant to pay $1300 until I found out that the only competition is the Nakamichi that is still made in Japan for $1700 and the Denon, which is well over $2000. I had to buy it based on its reputation, but I suspect it is the best of the bunch, not just the best value. Alpine has the best reputation for car stereo tuners and was the best I've ever had, but this MX406 pulls in local and distant stations cleanly that my old Alpine never knew existed. I listen to the radio most of the time, so this is value I can appreciate. The sound quality of CD and tuner is probably as close to home audiophile quality as you can get. It is amazingly musical and natural, full and rich but at the same time clean and uncongested. A musical audio component is rare enough but you aren't sacrificing detail, clear vocals, natural timbres on bass and treble to get it either. My hands and feet don't stop tapping until the song ends. Fortunately, there are plenty more stations on my dial. You'll need a quality amp and speakers, of course. I really like my Zapco ref 360 amp (though I really only need a Zapco two channel amp) and Morel 6.5" Integra speakers. My Kimber Kable PBJ interconnect is an awesome value, too.

Strengths:
tuner reception, musical, bass, vocals, treble, clear, detailed, rich, reputation for build quality and reliability

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
Alpine (best tuner), Coustic (best sound quality), Blaupunkt, Soundstream, all decks broke within two years

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from Butch''s Sound And V

Summary:
I have been into car audio for a long time, and when I went to upgrage my car equipment the first cd player I went to listen to was the MX-406. After I heard it I knew it was the one. The sound quality from the unit is the best in the car audio market by a long shot. Its sound is never in the least bit fatiguing even at a reasonably high volume. Another big plus to the unit is that it is simple to operate. It is definatly much easier to use than most of the other cd players out on the market that have a billion and one functions that the user never uses. McIntosh realized that it is the sound that sells this product and they did away with all that. All in all I am very pleased with the form of the MX-406 and I belive it to be functionaly perfect. It will be idealy suited to any person that has a true love of music.

Strengths:
looks, build, EXTERNAL DC TO DC CONVERTER,sound quality,excelent cd playback,built in USA

Weaknesses:
THERE IS NO WAY TO FAST FORWARD-what if there is a hidden song on a cd? at the very bottom of the volume control the right channel is a bit louder than the left.

Similar Products Used:
alpine,sony,panasonic,clairon-not half as good where it counts.

Price Paid:  $912.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 MX406

Summary:
Nakamichi sound is airy with good bass response. Sony is bright sounding. The MX406 is warm with a very livelike presentation of vocals and strings. Trumpets and sax sounded very smooth. Drums and percussion sounded very dynamic and transient response is first class. If you like your music to be extremely smooth and silky, this is the head unit to go. If you prefer disco/trans, pop music, then go for the Nakamichi.

Strengths:
Timbre accuracy, warm vocals, wide soundstage and very dynamic. Built like a rock. Comes with external DC to DC converter! Minimalist design with no compromise in SQ.

Weaknesses:
No numbers to indicate level of volume. Cannot fast forward between a track.

Similar Products Used:
Nakamichi CD700, Sony C90, Nakamichi MD100

Summary:
McIntosh Mx406 with McIntosh Changer M431 Amp MX406 EQ, Lat Int'l 100 inteconnects, MB Quart 8" and 6" coax speakers, 10 gauge OFC and Tara Labs speaker wire. I am a middle aged audio enthsiat or audiophile. I've listened to alot of gear, and previously had a Denon CD Pre-amp and Sonudstream amp. I listen to Jazz rock and classical, no rap, no heavy metal as a primaary source. McIntosh is built like a tank, and never harsh. Warm, soundstage, and you can listen at louder (not blasting it) without fatigue. The bass is good, but I need a simple sub set up (single 10") to get it right. As it stands w/o a sub and the additional trunk space I"ll take it over a boomy rapper system. The price is high, but the more you listen and see the quality, you know it's worth it.