McIntosh Speaker Synergy

Audio 1

Audio 1

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Joined
Dec 19, 2013
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Naples, FL
I would be interested in learning from the experience of others what speaker brands have good synergy with McIntosh amplification.
Personally I have been using the Dynaudio Confidence C2 signature series with my MC-452 and C2500 with very good results.

There is often frequent talk on the best synergy amongst different brand combinations, so I thought it would be good to open up the discussion as it relates to McIntosh.
 
I run a pair of Thiel's 2.7 speakers with my MA 8000 and MCD 550, connected using Transparent Audio's cables (Ultra interconnect and Ultra speaker cables). Can't complain!


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Matowi....I bet your system sounds quite good. Thiels tend to be bright, but Mac's are soft and so are Transparent Cables. Just wondering of this setup was an accident or planned
 
Focal.

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Stringreen said:
Matowi....I bet your system sounds quite good. Thiels tend to be bright, but Mac's are soft and so are Transparent Cables. Just wondering of this setup was an accident or planned
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Planned :)

I love the punch that my Mac delivers through the speakers - soft and powerful at the same time. Like melted dark chocolate, quite irresistible if you ask me. Mids and highs are very, very clear. Overall, the system does a good job at keeping me pinned to my seat for hours without end :)


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Hi Buddy,

Interesting question. I fell in love with my Strads when I heard them with a C500T and MC2301's. I can not tell you why I have not tried them in my home. I am entertaining an MC452 in the summer months, but can't get the C500T and MC2301's out of my head. I do love what I have but there's an itch I need to scratch. :D
 
mihamusic said:
I run C50 & MC452 with B&W800D - I am very satisfied with the sound.
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Please tell me more. I've been trying to audition the mc452 with a pair of 803D's and the only store that has that combo near me was disappointing due to horrible room acoustics. My ears were ringing after I left from the resonance due to so many other speakers jammed into it.
It sounded like all the speakers were trying to sing.....thank goodness I knew it had nothing to do with the amp/speaker combo. An average Joe would've blamed the amp/speakers or both and never came back!!!




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Dali is also an excellent match.

I would agree with Sonus Faber too but not the Lilium with MC601s. Probably you would need to step up to MC1.2KW.

I also prefer McIntosh with B&W instead of Classe.
 
I have the Vandersteen 2CE Sig II powered by a pair of MC601/C2300 but thinking of changing my speakers for the Mac. XR100. Any thoughts?
 
Guys

Here's a technical question that I can't seem to get a definite answer to......if I have 2 amps (1 for HT 1 for stereo) and only use them one at a time (not simultaneously), can I wire the amps separately to the same main speaker? Meaning each amp has it own speaker wire cable connected to the same main speaker, one amp hooked up via bananas and the other via spades.

I'm willing to unplug one amp completely from power while using the other.

Thanks in advance




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I wouldn't recommend it. You are bi-wiring to a dead end. All loudspeaker wire will carry current regardless.

You are better off using your best amp (or bi-amping). You should have a pre-amp that has a unity passthru feature to enable a HT pre-out signal to it.
 
I just don't want to have 2 amps turned on while watching movies. How bout using a RCA signal splitter? Is that kosher at least as a temporary solution.


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How about using a terminal block with connections for the two amps and speakers using banana plugs just before the speaker and unplugging the unused amplifier so only one amp is connected to the speaker at a time and the plugs could be pulled and reconnected rapidly as needed. Of course, I wouldn't recommend this if anyone other than yourself was doing the switching. Alternatively you could simply run the two sets of wires and keep switching the ones connected to the speaker. Simply unplugging the unused amp from the power source won't do it. Your speaker signal would be driven dead end into the unused amp creating questionable loads for the other amp to drive.
 
M2wason said:
I have the Vandersteen 2CE Sig II powered by a pair of MC601/C2300 but thinking of changing my speakers for the Mac. XR100. Any thoughts?
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I'm a fan of NEW McIntosh speakers. XR50, XR100, and XR200 are great. The sweet spot is the middle, but the affordable XR50 is just plain bananas for sound quality given the small size.
 
joeinid said:
I fell in love with my Strads when I heard them with a C500T and MC2301's.
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I've been told that purchasing a pair of Sonus Faber Stradivari would be a great synergy with my MC2301s and C1000. They are a beautiful looking speaker, but I have yet to hear them. What do they sound like to you Joe?
 
Golucid said:
I've been told that purchasing a pair of Sonus Faber Stradivari would be a great synergy with my MC2301s and C1000. They are a beautiful looking speaker, but I have yet to hear them. What do they sound like to you Joe?
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Hi David,

I've had a few speakers but nothing satisfies me like my Strads. No speaker is perfect but, to me, the Strads are perfect. They have that in the room 3D presentation with a wide and layered sound. They are musical and slightly sweet. I never fatigue listening to them. I heard a pair about 4-5 years ago with the C500T and MC2301 with a KILLER vinyl setup. I was blown away. Granted, the vinyl front end could have had a lot to do with the glorious sound. Regardless, I was in love and made it a mission to get me a pair. I had a few stops along the way with some regret. I really am happy now with my Strads. They are instruments that produce beautiful music. Others have been there and done that but I can not see being without them. Will I have another speaker in addition to my Strads? Maybe. Can I think of anything that I'd love more, NO WAY! Different but not better. My Strads work with every amp that I own or will own so they give me tremendous flexibility.

Strads forever. :heart:
 
joeinid said:
Hi David,

I've had a few speakers but nothing satisfies me like my Strads. No speaker is perfect but, to me, the Strads are perfect. They have that in the room 3D presentation with a wide and layered sound. They are musical and slightly sweet. I never fatigue listening to them. I heard a pair about 4-5 years ago with the C500T and MC2301 with a KILLER vinyl setup. I was blown away. Granted, the vinyl front end could have had a lot to do with the glorious sound. Regardless, I was in love and made it a mission to get me a pair. I had a few stops along the way with some regret. I really am happy now with my Strads. They are instruments that produce beautiful music. Others have been there and done that but I can not see being without them. Will I have another speaker in addition to my Strads? Maybe. Can I think of anything that I'd love more, NO WAY! Different but not better. My Strads work with every amp that I own or will own so they give me tremendous flexibility.

Strads forever. :heart:
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Joe, that is exciting and you have satiated my appetite just enough for me to make that long-haul trip out of town to listen to a demonstration of these speakers. I have never read a single negative from an end-user consumer about these speaks. In fact, Mike, also have given lots of kudos about these works of art. I trust and believe Mike [super fan!] :)

Thanks so much, Joe, for the eloquent description about your Stradivari Joy. Infectious it is, and I think I have caught that bug now :)
 
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