2. amps-preamps
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Help - Listening fatigue

Yesterday I received a McIntosh MC 2200 amp, to compliment my C2300 preamp. I am a wishing to convert to Hi-Fi, and trying to upgrade from Mid-Fi. Prior to acquiring the MC 2200 amp, I was only using HD-800 cans with the C2300 which was utter bliss!!!

The mids and highs through my Paradigm speakers are piercing to me with this amp, I just can't stand it! I am tapping into 8 ohms with the amp. I have two sets of Paradigms to choose from, the Titan Monitor 5s and Monitor 7v5s. As a final note, I never had these speaker issues with my Mid-Fi Onkyo receiver.

Does anyone have suggestions or ideas? I realize the MC 2200 is an old SS amp, that have never been recapped. Again, with the cans the sound out of the C2300 is phenomenal even without a headphone amp. Via the amp/speakers I'm better off with the Onkyo, which is very sad to say!!!!!

Anyone want to buy an amp? ;-)
brad34695
mihorn
104 posts
 
The mids and highs through my Paradigm speakers are piercing to me with this amp, I just can't stand it! I am tapping into 8 ohms with the amp. I have two sets of Paradigms to choose from, the Titan Monitor 5s and Monitor 7v5s. As a final note, I never had these speaker issues with my Mid-Fi Onkyo receiver.

Your speaker had never sang with mid-fi Onkyo. Your speakers are singing now with Mc. You need a musical speaker to match with your Mc.
brad34695 OP
12 posts
 
I want to thank everyone for their help and suggestions.

I took the advice about running the Paradigm's out of the 4 ohm tap of the amp. Between doing that and upgrading interconnects has made a tremendous difference. So once more thank you.

I agree that my speakers are still the weakest part of my present audio chain. So I am looking to upgrade to McIntosh XR50s, and will be demoing a pair this week with a dealer. My cash flow has limitations, with this pair being in my price range at around $4K new.
essrand
163 posts
 
For 4K new, you should think about Vienna Acoustics Beethoven baby grand (BBG) for 5K or VA Mozart (3.5K). They are amongst the least fatiguing speakers at that price point, yet high resolution.
I heard VA BBG with MC452 last week at a MCintosh audio store and they sounded fantastic.
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