What's with the trend in amp design?
- Thread starter Mike
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mep
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Joe-Didn't you rave about the TAD CR-1s up to the point where you sold them? Weren't your latest pair of McIntosh amps you kept for 34 days "destination amps" and you said good things about them until they headed down the road to their new owner? So now we have you and four or five of your friends who think the Ref 6 was bright. Were these people who own the Ref 6 or people who stopped by your place and heard it in your system?
They had the Ref 6 in their own system and ultimately came to the same conclusion. I never prompted them in any way.
Under certain conditions, the previous gear had some great qualities. Sure I was a little over the top and that was certainly my fault but at the time those posts were written, that’s how I felt. I guess I get excited and and wanted to post about it. It won’t happen again. I’ll be more reserved until the dust settles. Can you forgive me? It’s just my opinion of snapshots in time. I’m not a professional like you. I should know better.
Under certain conditions, the previous gear had some great qualities. Sure I was a little over the top and that was certainly my fault but at the time those posts were written, that’s how I felt. I guess I get excited and and wanted to post about it. It won’t happen again. I’ll be more reserved until the dust settles. Can you forgive me? It’s just my opinion of snapshots in time. I’m not a professional like you. I should know better.
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KeithR
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I ask as when I had the Vx-5 in for home demo, I found the treble remarkable - extended with no hint of fatigue. The Dart has a similar treble signature so it may be related to the lack of NFB.
the professor
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Might these new amp tonalities, be because that speaker technology - especially in the tweeters (highs) has improved over the last 20 years.
Where an amp manufacturer was listening to his amp into a sota speaker 20 years ago, he thought it sounded too bright and harsh, but now when he listens to his amp with today's sota speaker that has less harsh tweeters so he adds a little bit to his amps so he is hearing the same end result?
Where an amp manufacturer was listening to his amp into a sota speaker 20 years ago, he thought it sounded too bright and harsh, but now when he listens to his amp with today's sota speaker that has less harsh tweeters so he adds a little bit to his amps so he is hearing the same end result?
Hi Dan,
What prompted me was this comment ....
https://www.audioaficionado.org/showpost.php?p=906749&postcount=46
"I did have an opportunity to listen to a pair of MC1.25KW’s w/ Stradivari’s. They are clearly voiced differently, and it isn’t due to the use of Thermal Trak Output Transistors.
My MC2KW’s have Thermal Trak Output Transistors, and still sound pleasing with the McIntosh “house sound”.
IMHO, there were other changes made that resulted in the 1.25K’s sounding on the bright, almost shrill side. My friend, who’s system I heard these with decided these Amps were not for him, and ultimately sold them. He now has MC2301’s and couldn’t be more pleased. "
What prompted me was this comment ....
https://www.audioaficionado.org/showpost.php?p=906749&postcount=46
"I did have an opportunity to listen to a pair of MC1.25KW’s w/ Stradivari’s. They are clearly voiced differently, and it isn’t due to the use of Thermal Trak Output Transistors.
My MC2KW’s have Thermal Trak Output Transistors, and still sound pleasing with the McIntosh “house sound”.
IMHO, there were other changes made that resulted in the 1.25K’s sounding on the bright, almost shrill side. My friend, who’s system I heard these with decided these Amps were not for him, and ultimately sold them. He now has MC2301’s and couldn’t be more pleased. "
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- Thread Author
- #49
Yes, that's what I was referring to earlier with Toole's Circle of Confusion.
mep
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Beats me Mike. I don’t have enough information to hazard a guess. Is the amp being used with a preamp from the same company? What speakers were used? What sources were used? How did you determine this a new trend and it only affects amplifiers?
CPP
Active member
Money, the only reason to bring out a new version of anything is for improvements and those changes include a new cost. Be it a new camera, new car, electronics as these new versions never stay at the same price. Got to make money some how, and if changing the sonic signature of a product means its a new version. Well there ya go. After all the following version will most likely put it back with the "new and improved" version. Its to simple of a why, but a business has to stay in business.
a.wayne
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On all speakers or on particular speakers ..??
- Thread Author
- #55
Agreed.
mep
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Just to be clear Joe, Did those 4 or 5 friends own the Ref 6 or were they listening to a Ref 6 that belonged to someone else?
Sorry you feel the need to turn this around on me. You make the purchases and you write the words, not me.
mep
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Thanks. I find that very interesting.
Odyssey
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Joe, I hope that its does happen again. I find your the candor of your views when you hear something new to be refreshing.
Thanks for all of your efforts here at AS on moderating and your posts. I look forward to what you have to say.