VAC 200IQ with Magico

the professor said:
I’m just curious what you guys think of this combo?
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Hard to say. A stereo 200iQ sounded quite good with my M3’s, but was more of a “top down” sort of sound. Missing a little bit of bass/midbass to my ears and not the type of sound I prefer. However, when I added a 2nd 200iQ and used them as monoblocks, the sound was transformed. Then NOTHING was missing. Warm, powerful, musical, detailed, huge stable soundstage and very well-balanced top-to-bottom.

I wish I knew why adding a 2nd 200iQ made such a difference to my ears, in my system. The M3’s are supposed to be relatively efficient, although I suspect they may be harder to drive than the specs suggest. Maybe it was cabling or something else. I did try all the different transformer taps with the stereo 200iQ and that didn’t seem to make a huge difference in the tonal balance. Bottom line: I think you’ll have to try them and see. At worst the system will sound quite good. At best they could could sound AMAZINGLY good!
 
With my Magicos S3Mk2’s my single 200IQ sounds wonderful. It’s a more relaxed and musical feel than I was getting with the Diablo 300 I had previously. The Diablo does have a more of a live feel, maybe better dynamics if that’s what you like.
I am afraid to try a second 200IQ cause my small room temperature would be overpowered here in Florida so I’m going to avoid trying it.
 
Dguitarnut said:
With my Magicos S3Mk2’s my single 200IQ sounds wonderful. It’s a more relaxed and musical feel than I was getting with the Diablo 300 I had previously. The Diablo does have a more of a live feel, maybe better dynamics if that’s what you like.
I am afraid to try a second 200IQ cause my small room temperature would be overpowered here in Florida so I’m going to avoid trying it.
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Good information! I suspect my observation is speaker, not brand, dependent. Perhaps also system and taste dependent. That’s why trying the combination is the only way to know for sure although that is usually very difficult these days.

I also wish I didn’t need 2 200iQ’s. That’s a lot of KT88’s!
 
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