Yes Mofi, I was thinking of electrostats, sorry I was confusing the two. thanks for correcting me. I always respect your comments. But I will say that 3.2 ohms is not an ideal load for the Mc2255 when compared with a 8ohm load that this MAC was really designed for, in an era when most speakers especially McIntosh speakers (for which they designed to work with THIER amps) were stable 8ohm speakers. McIntosh didn't even come out with a amp to address tougher loads until the early 90's, with the Direct coupled MC7200. The MC352 will drive anything with total control...it has a double balanced push/pull design.
Help me get the best sound under $5K in upgrades
I need help. My system: mac mini, McIntosh Pre 15, McIntosh MC2255, Joseph Audio RM22si / REL Strata iii.
I just switched to the McIntosh from an Audio Refinement Complete, but am willing to change anything other than the front end or going tubes. I don't want the maintenance of tubes, and want to keep the convenience of digital.
I mostly listen to acoustic/folk/jazz/vocals.
I'm considering planars and demo-ing a set of Maggie 1.7's next week.
I just want the best sound possible, and don't want to throw money away on things that I can't hear.
Is the McIntosh mostly just cool lights and nostalgia? Can I get better sound for my $? Can I do better than Planars with my sub and a really nice pair of monitors?
I just switched to the McIntosh from an Audio Refinement Complete, but am willing to change anything other than the front end or going tubes. I don't want the maintenance of tubes, and want to keep the convenience of digital.
I mostly listen to acoustic/folk/jazz/vocals.
I'm considering planars and demo-ing a set of Maggie 1.7's next week.
I just want the best sound possible, and don't want to throw money away on things that I can't hear.
Is the McIntosh mostly just cool lights and nostalgia? Can I get better sound for my $? Can I do better than Planars with my sub and a really nice pair of monitors?
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- 16 posts total
Matt...the MC2255 has 1 and 2 ohm taps on it. McIntosh wouldn't do that if the amp was not capable of those load impedances. Look at the specs I listed above. Also the MC2255 has autoformers, so the impedance of the speaker becomes a non factor. The autoformer keeps the amp safe at any output or load impedance. IMHO, this amp is perfect for lower impedance loudspeakers. |
I brought home a Parasound 2250 v.2 to compare. Thoughts? It's half the price, 275Watts, stable at 2ohms. I don't have any Maggie's to try it out with, yet; just the Joseph's. Honestly, I do hear a difference vs the McIntosh. Wasn't expecting it, but I'd say there's more detail with the Mc. Am I just imagining things? |
I've found the Maggies to need volume to come alive....that doesn't sound like acoustic music/folk to me. Be sure to audition the Maggies at low volumes. Going toward more efficient speakers might be a good move toward low volume transparency. Tannoys? Try a tube preamp to get more "aire" into your system - they don't require any maintenance to speak of, small signal tubes last probably 10+ years (do turn them off when not using however). Even then it's like changing a light bulb - no biasing required. Audio Note Kits? (get them fully assembled for 15%) |
- 16 posts total