Premiere Design | McIntosh MA8000 Integrated Amplifier

Does anyone here own the MA8000? If so, can you use both sets of outputs simultaneously? I see the main pair is bridged for normal use. I'd like to use the balanced outputs to drive my subwoofer--will that work?
 
Does anyone here own the MA8000? If so, can you use both sets of outputs simultaneously? I see the main pair is bridged for normal use. I'd like to use the balanced outputs to drive my subwoofer--will that work?

If you are talking about the balanced/line level output-yes. You could also send the audio signal to a separate room. It's full range, ensure your sub has a crossover to filter out higher frequencies (that may not sound good coming out of the sub!)
 
Thanks. Yes, I have an SVS SB 13, which does have a built-in crossover. Going from m-ch to stereo is creating a few small issues, but none seem insurmountable so far! (I'm think this through very carefully before I take the plunge!)
 
All the output sockets are 'hot'.

Right, but I assume that the balanced outs are not at a fixed level, so as I turn up/down the master volume, the sub would also be affected. I'm sure the record outs are fixed, so the subwoofer would be overwhelming if I listened to the main system at a low volume.
 
Re-reading this:

To get a McIntosh "Fully Balanced" or Dual Mono system. One would need the C500P and MC452 or two MC601, the former is 3 boxes and the later is 4 boxes. The MA8000 gives up that last bit for a big sledge hammer, one box design.

Allthough, it doesn't look 1/100th of the McIntosh the Wyred 4 Sound STI-1000 is missing the DAC and the EQ knobs but has 500wpc AND a "Fully Balanced" circuitry @ ~1/3 of the cost.
https://wyred4sound.com/products/integrated-amps/sti-series
 
I do own an MA8000 with an MCD550. Have had them for a week, after "upgrading" from an all-Electrocompaniet set up, featuring their top of the line CD player (a top-loader) and a separated amp (Aw250) and pre-amp (4.8).

The McIntosh gear is linked via all-Transparent cabling (Ultra) to Thiel 2.7 loudspeakers. I must admit, I like my new system. Although, I can't get rid of the thought that trading my separated amp/pre-amp to an integrated solution wasn't such a great idea... Time will show. The Mac's are still in their breaking-in period so I am hopeful things will get tighter, more spacious and cleaner. "The bass" is already showing, so the rest will (surely/hopefully?) appear as well. :)


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Please keep us updated Matowi. I love the looks of the MA8000.
 
I'd love to post a pic, which I'll do, once I hit the required minimum number of posts :)

Promise :)


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Happy to report that my appreciation for my MA8k grows by the hour! As the break in period goes on, so does the improvement on overall performance appear in how this thing plays. It's opened up, allowing for a great stage expanding beyond the window between the speakers. The depth and height are also there. But firstly it's the astonishing clarity and brutal control of what the speakers do. Mine are relatively small (mid level Thiel 2.7) though I have no doubt this amp would easily drive much larger speakers with no apparent effort.

I love it. It puts a grin on my face whatever I listen to. Quite an achievement :)



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Thank you!
Why on earth would you put your gear in a closed cabinet?... Negotiate! ;)


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My wife really doesn't like visible gear, especially the cables, so a rack is out of the question. I guess her "allowing" me to buy it all all is compromise enough for her! :D
 
The hardships of a married man. Know them all too well ;)

Anyway, great that you weren't persuaded to drop the passion altogether! :) And as long as the cabinet doesn't impact the way your gear plays, enjoy. You can always keep the doors ajar, to have a sneak peek when the Missus isn't around/looking ;)

m.



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She's had to adjust to a few visible items, such as my CD/SACD player, headphone amp, turntable, and power amp (the latter is stuffed into a corner in the living room) because they wouldn't fit in the cabinet! If I want to rewire anything, it is a major ordeal--oh, to have a rack or two with easy access to components/wiring. Still, I suppose compromise is part of the secret to a happy marriage. I don't think it looks too bad at the moment, and she'll be pleased that the power will be gone if I get the MA 8000.

Cabinet_zps289110f5.jpg
 
Oi, it doesn't look too bad!


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Update: My wife suggested putting the MA8000 where the turntable is and placing the turntable on the amp stand where the Parasound currently resides since I rarely play LPs. There is hope yet! :celebrate008_2:
 
:exciting:

Update: My wife suggested putting the MA8000 where the turntable is and placing the turntable on the amp stand where the Parasound currently resides since I rarely play LPs. There is hope yet! :celebrate008_2:
 
Happy to report that my appreciation for my MA8k grows by the hour! As the break in period goes on, so does the improvement on overall performance appear in how this thing plays. It's opened up, allowing for a great stage expanding beyond the window between the speakers. The depth and height are also there. But firstly it's the astonishing clarity and brutal control of what the speakers do. Mine are relatively small (mid level Thiel 2.7) though I have no doubt this amp would easily drive much larger speakers with no apparent effort.

I love it. It puts a grin on my face whatever I listen to. Quite an achievement :)

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Matowi...congrats on the new MA8K and MCD500. By the way, your Thiel 2.7s are quite a tough load to partnering amps, so despite it's "size" what the amp sees in terms of impedance is not benign, so your MA8K's power and more importantly current reserves are quite necessary to get the best out of your speakers. Hope you enjoy the combo. Many folks enjoy McIntosh's house sound with Thiels. Hope you do too. :thumbsup:
 
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