Focal Maestro Utopia AMP recommendation

Wow just read this thread for the first time from start to finish. I can't believe its gone on this long, like a bad novel. Your a good man David or should I say a patient one for even bothering with this situation. Your my hero.:peace:
 
kzhtoo said:
I see pelo saga continues here from Audiogon. This all started when he asked for help after he bought his now-old Focal 1038Be. IMHO, pelo cannot be helped. A number of us tried to help him then (some were very good advice, which I wish I had them when I started my system), but it seems to me he's only interested in asking questions but not the answers/advice that people spent time to give him. I do not know why. He'd be better served if he could just buy all the exact same gears of a room whose sound he likes from the "shows" he goes to.
IMO and as many have stated in this thread, Pass X350.5 and XP-10 were never the problem for Maestro or 1038Be. But as he's done so many times, he refused to listen and the saga just drags on and on. With the source and power conditioning situation he has the new Vitus monos, dare I say, won't sound much of a difference than the Pass.
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i admit , you are 100% right
i don't really have an idea what to do
don't know what the weak link in the system , maybe it's even the Speakers (i'm getting very weak bass from speakers should have huge bass)
maybe because i'm using PC with JRiver software
 
MC 452

8 ohms 450 watts
4 ohms 900 watts
2 ohms 1800 watts

That should do it.


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Hi

i can't find Vitus Pre amp
i think the XP-10 not in the same level as the amp and the speakers.

i'm thinking to replace the Maestro with Magico S5
i heard the S3 and i love them.
someone had a chance to hear both?
 
Regarding the Magico S3 compared to the S5 speakers, I have heard from many (including some Magico dealers) that the S3 actually have a more enjoyable midrange presentation, but they do give up some bass extension to the S5. The S3 came out after the S5 and incorporate a specially designed midrange enclosure which is so effective that they now use it in their newly released S7. The S3 is thought by many to be the "sweet spot" in the line, but the S5 has a more dynamic and extended bass response if their size suits your listening space.
 
audio.bill said:
Regarding the Magico S3 compared to the S5 speakers, I have heard from many (including some Magico dealers) that the S3 actually have a more enjoyable midrange presentation, but they do give up some bass extension to the S5. The S3 came out after the S5 and incorporate a specially designed midrange enclosure which is so effective that they now use it in their newly released S7. The S3 is thought by many to be the "sweet spot" in the line, but the S5 has a more dynamic and extended bass response if their size suits your listening space.
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i meant the S5 compare to my Focal Maestro
the Maestro bigger and more expensive
 
i found S5 for sale for $17K
i guess price drop down because people want to get the S7

i just not sure if the S5 sound better then my Maestro
 
pelo911 said:
i found S5 for sale for $17K
i guess price drop down because people want to get the S7

i just not sure if the S5 sound better then my Maestro
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I have heard Maestro utopia in 3 diferent setups, and wasnt impressed so much. However after few month i have return to one owners house and my jaws have dropped. Hughe 3D soundstage ,where intruments placed pin point - in the dark with light off i could swear singer was in the room. Cello and other instrument had such weight and authority like real.Trumphet sounded from soft (most speakers would do that) to very sharp and spark(it not so smooth instrument as most believe) I visit local philharmonic quite often and know how real intruments sound. Maestro definately IS NOT plug'n'play speakers.

Havent heard S5, but heard Magico Q5 with Dartzeel amps. one of the best bass, but hight frequencies was sibilant on vocals (on clasical orchestra it was even bonus) hope this helps.
 
stanly.joseph said:
MC 452

8 ohms 450 watts
4 ohms 900 watts
2 ohms 1800 watts




That should do it.


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Don't believe the above is correct. This is one solid state amp that DOES NOT double it's power into lower impedances. Power into lower impedances stays relatively the same. IT does however offer almost 2 db of head room at clipping which is substantial.

CHEERS.........
 
MRJAZZ said:
Don't believe the above is correct. This is one solid state amp that DOES NOT double it's power into lower impedances. Power into lower impedances stays relatively the same. IT does however offer almost 2 db of head room at clipping which is substantial.

CHEERS.........
Click to expand...

You are correct. Mc amps don't double. In fact, their wattage is pretty consistent across all impedance loads.


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I personally called Mcintosh and asked them that question, they do double up. Even the meters on the amp go all the way to 1.8K


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Thank you Stanly. I think some further clarification is required in terms of peak power vs RMS, also known as continuous output. It sounds as though Chuck is giving you peak power numbers, but I still think continuous output/RMS numbers change very little on a Mc amp regardless of ohm.

But, I've been wrong before, so let's see if Chuck will give you actual RMS numbers for 2, 4 and 8 ohms.
 
stanly.joseph said:
I personally called Mcintosh and asked them that question, they do double up. Even the meters on the amp go all the way to 1.8K
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stanly.joseph.......The rated output for the MC450, as well as many other McIntosh's amplifiers that use their Autoformer between the output transistors and the speakers, is the same at the 2 ohm, 4 ohm, and 8 ohm amplifier terminals. McIntosh amplifiers with Autoformers do no double down their output at the speaker terminals with the correct load for the terminal rating. This is due to the special windings in the McIntosh Autoformers that are wound so that the output transistors are isolated from the speaker load and always see a constant uniform load that does not change with the load impedance. The MC452 has a continuous average power output rating of 450 watts per channel and with a peak output current of 75 amperes irrespective of which output terminals are used. The reason the meters have 3dB and 6dB marks above the 450 watt rating is to indicated peak output. Additionally, McIntosh amplifiers are very conservatively rated, not only for distortion but also output power. It is not unusual for a McIntosh amplifier's continuous output to substantially exceed its rating by 2db or more. Understand also that peak output is not continuous output. Dynamic peaks are not the same as continuous output.

Another excellent feature of modern McIntosh power amplifiers is their Power Guard circuit. This circuit continuously monitors the output for distortion that can lead to clipping of waveforms. Should the amplifier's output exceed 0.5% distortion at high output the Power Guard circuit automatically reduces the input voltage to control the output voltage from ever clipping. Essentially, a McIntosh power amplifier that features the Power Guard circuit cannot be clipped. This not only protects the output stages of the amplifier but also protects the speakers.

With respect to Chuck Hinton's answer that you provided it would be clearer if we actually knew the question asked. How about letting us see the email text you sent Chuck. His answer might make more sense if we understood the question.
 
The question was a simple one. Does the 452 double its power into 4ohms and 2ohms?

Why don't you guys call Chuck himself and clarify his answer. And Im pretty sure he was referring to peak power not continuous.


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elviukai said:
I have heard Maestro utopia in 3 diferent setups, and wasnt impressed so much. However after few month i have return to one owners house and my jaws have dropped. Hughe 3D soundstage ,where intruments placed pin point - in the dark with light off i could swear singer was in the room. Cello and other instrument had such weight and authority like real.Trumphet sounded from soft (most speakers would do that) to very sharp and spark(it not so smooth instrument as most believe) I visit local philharmonic quite often and know how real intruments sound. Maestro definately IS NOT plug'n'play speakers.

Havent heard S5, but heard Magico Q5 with Dartzeel amps. one of the best bass, but hight frequencies was sibilant on vocals (on clasical orchestra it was even bonus) hope this helps.
Click to expand...

do you remember by any chance what amp was in the system you liked?

Thanks
 
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