A/B mcintosh gear

[JSCC]

Aren't the WP7 93dB efficient? You've got to hear those with the Lamm ML2.1 18 watters. :yes:

I would certainly beg to differ.

Great as the ML2 are, and with due respect, I dont think the WP7 would perform at its best with them.

I have tried first with the MC402, up the bet to a pair of MC501's and then MC1201's and know what? Every step of the upgrade brings forth better performance from the WP7. And the volume setting is always at the same value!

Similarly, went from 2400 watts per channel (bi-amp) on XRT30's to 390 watts (tri amp) and the difference is there. Of course, without complex musical passages almost everything sounds the same. But when the music comes forth, power and grip does makes the difference, especially in the lower/lower frequencies.

Power does makes a difference, and certainly, I believe only Horns with efficiency like 98db and more would really benefit from these smaller wattage excellent amps!

Owning a pair of pseudo horns (isobarik bass, horn midrange and ion plasma highs) at 91db, I am pairing them with a new pair of MC501's (for now) and am still evaluating if I should up the ante to a pair of MC1.2k's. So far, at normal listening level, everything sounded fine, especially coming from the venerable MC501's.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rules in "taste", where midranges and highs performance ranks above total performance. To me, there is no one system that could "be all and end all" - or maybe there is and I stand corrected, but certainly, I am not in that league to have audition nor even dare to dream about owning.

Serge, the MC501's are great! Keep them!:thmbsp:

Cheers!

 

[PHC1]

I would certainly beg to differ.

Great as the ML2 are, and with due respect, I dont think the WP7 would perform at its best with them.

I have tried first with the MC402, up the bet to a pair of MC501's and then MC1201's and know what? Every step of the upgrade brings forth better performance from the WP7. And the volume setting is always at the same value!

Similarly, went from 2400 watts per channel (bi-amp) on XRT30's to 390 watts (tri amp) and the difference is there. Of course, without complex musical passages almost everything sounds the same. But when the music comes forth, power and grip does makes the difference, especially in the lower/lower frequencies.

Power does makes a difference, and certainly, I believe only Horns with efficiency like 98db and more would really benefit from these smaller wattage excellent amps!

Owning a pair of pseudo horns (isobarik bass, horn midrange and ion plasma highs) at 91db, I am pairing them with a new pair of MC501's (for now) and am still evaluating if I should up the ante to a pair of MC1.2k's. So far, at normal listening level, everything sounded fine, especially coming from the venerable MC501's.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rules in "taste", where midranges and highs performance ranks above total performance. To me, there is no one system that could "be all and end all" - or maybe there is and I stand corrected, but certainly, I am not in that league to have audition nor even dare to dream about owning.

Serge, the MC501's are great! Keep them!:thmbsp:

Cheers!

Jerry, the Lamm ML2.1s and the new ML3 at 32w have been paired up with Wilson Maxx2, Maxx3, WP8 at various shows for spectacular results. The ML2.1s have been very favorable reviewed with 86dB Quads as well. Of course much will depend on the room, music genre and how loud one really likes to listen but there are some guys out there with those combos who swear by it.

I doubt you need the MC1.2KWs for your speakers but I have a feeling you will go there anyway... History tends to repeat itself.

 

[JSCC]

I doubt you need the MC1.2KWs for your speakers but I have a feeling you will go there anyway... History tends to repeat itself.

Serge,

I hope to prove you wrong - and to myself too! History DID repeat itself, as the MC501's are already playing the music! So far, it had been a very musical experience, especially the speakers which never fail to amaze. The way its all put together really is a wonder, isobarik, horn and plasma ion.

3 more weeks and I shall know! Then I will tell, with pics! And a small write up! :thmbsp:

Seriously, I am beginning to like to love the MC501's!

Cheers!

 

[PHC1]

Serge,

I hope to prove you wrong - and to myself too! History DID repeat itself, as the MC501's are already playing the music! So far, it had been a very musical experience, especially the speakers which never fail to amaze. The way its all put together really is a wonder, isobarik, horn and plasma ion.

3 more weeks and I shall know! Then I will tell, with pics! And a small write up! :thmbsp:

Seriously, I am beginning to like to love the MC501's!

Cheers!

Jerry, your speakers are indeed unique with their exotic approach to drivers. Plasma Ion tweeter, horn midrange and a woofer with a very low damping. I mean a ribbon tweeter wasn't enough, they had to go all the way to Plasma Ion for a truly "mass-less" driver. :scratch2:

Of course the 501s will do a great job driving your speakers but at some point, I would be very tempted to try a high end set of tubes driving them. I'd even try a 300B SET amp to see what kind of goosebumps the midrange would bring. :yes:

 

[ltleo]

you guys do know wilson will offer a seven thousand price drop for the watt pupy 8. they are putting out a vrs 9. Making the 8 the shortest lived wilson speaker ever.

 

[JSCC]

Jerry, your speakers are indeed unique with their exotic approach to drivers. Plasma Ion tweeter, horn midrange and a woofer with a very low damping. I mean a ribbon tweeter wasn't enough, they had to go all the way to Plasma Ion for a truly "mass-less" driver. :scratch2:

Of course the 501s will do a great job driving your speakers but at some point, I would be very tempted to try a high end set of tubes driving them. I'd even try a 300B SET amp to see what kind of goosebumps the midrange would bring. :yes:

Indeed thats what I have in mind and there are 2 amplifiers that I can have them over ... not too heavy for 3 guys:

1. The Air Tight Pre/Power combo - ATE2 Ref+ATM211
2. This a little more difficult due to its "fragile" body - The Wavacs - More glass than ever on any amplifier I have seen.

But seriously, this will be just a "trial/try" and dont think I would be hooked cause I know deep in me, HIGH power is still the way to go, what with the MC501's so far doing well above my expectations - as never before.

Cheers!

 

[PHC1]

Indeed thats what I have in mind and there are 2 amplifiers that I can have them over ... not too heavy for 3 guys:

1. The Air Tight Pre/Power combo - ATE2 Ref+ATM211
2. This a little more difficult due to its "fragile" body - The Wavacs - More glass than ever on any amplifier I have seen.

But seriously, this will be just a "trial/try" and dont think I would be hooked cause I know deep in me, HIGH power is still the way to go, what with the MC501's so far doing well above my expectations - as never before.

Cheers!

Sure there are quite a few that come to mind. Atma-Sphere, Jadis, Wavac, Shindo, Wavelenght, even Komuro, maybe Fi, you can probably forget the Yamamoto at 2w..

Obviously depending on topology and power some may work out much better than others for you but the main thing is to try. I would think your speakers would sound pretty magical with the right tube amp. Any of them may be a sacrifice of low end extremes but the horn midrange and the transparency and extension of the plasma ion tweeter, man, that should be something else...

Have you sold all your MC2000's already? :scratch2:

 

[PHC1]

you guys do know wilson will offer a seven thousand price drop for the watt pupy 8. they are putting out a vrs 9. Making the 8 the shortest lived wilson speaker ever.

News to me. :scratch2: Sounds like a pretty good deal on WP8 but one can also buy a preowned pair of Maxx2s at that price.

 

[titanstats]

Grew up staring at Macs in the boutique stores, and always loved the look and sound. When an opportunity to pick a set up locally came up, I grabbed it. Loved it enough that when another amp came available, I bought it too. Between the beautiful (to me) aesthetics, and the great sound, I can't imagine ever going back. Never say never, but...

 

[JSCC]

Serge,

The MC2000 had shown me what tubes are capable of and the magic it can bring to the mids and highs. However, I prefer a slight loss in the mids and have the tightness and control of the bass as well as the extreme limits of the highs being wrought.

Yes, the MC2000's had found a new home and I dont think I will look back. One reason being the fact that when I took it off the shelf, there was a layer of dust settling around the tubes which I had to remove the cage to vacuum off. In short, housekeeping is certainly not at the utmost best and I am weak in this area, so better avoid unnecessary lectures.

If I ever wanted to collect a tube set, the smaller 60th Anni C22 & MC72 Mono's would be it (hmm and I am thinking). No cage though, learnt the lesson!

As for SE, well, lets put it this way, I dont think I will go that way, no matter how good they are cause somehow, I still like to have some volume cranked up once in a while, and the thought of the music lacking juice just wont allow me to be tempted to go that way.

Last but not least, between a new set of discounted WP8 and a used mint Maxx 2, I will go for the later. Not that I have anything against the 8's, but think the Maxx 2 would be a better value. of course, in my smaller environment, the WP8 would be the best fit. Oh well, one cant have it all, not me anyway!

Cheers!

 

[PHC1]

Serge,

The MC2000 had shown me what tubes are capable of and the magic it can bring to the mids and highs. However, I prefer a slight loss in the mids and have the tightness and control of the bass as well as the extreme limits of the highs being wrought.

Yes, the MC2000's had found a new home and I dont think I will look back. One reason being the fact that when I took it off the shelf, there was a layer of dust settling around the tubes which I had to remove the cage to vacuum off. In short, housekeeping is certainly not at the utmost best and I am weak in this area, so better avoid unnecessary lectures.

If I ever wanted to collect a tube set, the smaller 60th Anni C22 & MC72 Mono's would be it (hmm and I am thinking). No cage though, learnt the lesson!

As for SE, well, lets put it this way, I dont think I will go that way, no matter how good they are cause somehow, I still like to have some volume cranked up once in a while, and the thought of the music lacking juice just wont allow me to be tempted to go that way.

Last but not least, between a new set of discounted WP8 and a used mint Maxx 2, I will go for the later. Not that I have anything against the 8's, but think the Maxx 2 would be a better value. of course, in my smaller environment, the WP8 would be the best fit. Oh well, one cant have it all, not me anyway!

Cheers!

I'll be curious to hear what your long term impression is with a horn midrange/Plasma Ion tweeter and solid state/various quality recordings. I hope it all works out and you don't start narrowing your listening library. :scratch2:

 

[JSCC]

I'll be curious to hear what your long term impression is with a horn midrange/Plasma Ion tweeter and solid state/various quality recordings. I hope it all works out and you don't start narrowing your listening library. :scratch2:

I am diligently working on this. Already heard my favorite CD's (like some 10 of them) 3 times or more. So far, everyone I have enjoyed very much, akin to something new, like a breeze of fresh air!

The horn mids and highs are so coherent, piano notes takes on an realism I thought the XRT30's were to be bested (sorry Howie, know Meridian 8000 claimed this to be their forte). Vocals so real and palpable. No regrets, something the XRT30's can do, the Violon can and at times exceed, given that it comes off a pair of MC501's as against 2 pairs of MC1201's or 3 pairs of MC2000's when then tested!

Bass is the only quarrel I have and I have since begin to accept the lesser performance. Like I said, I cant have it all. Anyway, 24 Hz is not too bad a spec and its fast and coherent too, much to my surprise.

Please give me 3 more weeks and I promise you a thorough review. So far, the MC501's had stood the test where honestly, the thought of having the MC1.2K did come across my mind, but now seemingly remote as the days passes!

Finally, I dont discount I may narrow my CD library - which is also a good thing cause space is something I crave and I rather keep 10 pieces of CDs I enjoyed listening to than say 25 pieces which I listened to once and then stay on the shelf for probably "till kingdom comes". And of course, the words "see what a wasteful guy you are ... blah, blah, blah, ..." can be avoided.

I am looking forward to the coming weekend to have more hours with the system. and of course, the arrival of the MCD500 .... to replace what I am using today, the MCD301's - which already sounded so good! I just cant imagine what magic the MCD500 could whip up with the combo!:scratch2:

Cheers!

 

[gpgr4blu]

Lamm/Wilson

I have heard various Lamm Wilson combos at dealers and shows--Lamm almost always shows with Wilson--and have always loved the sound but worried about the down low power and slam factor on the Lamm tubes. (Can't say I've ever heard those combos above 85dbs). I can say that I've enjoyed the MC 2102 with my Watt Puppys--but I always felt that there was more potential in the speakers. When I heard the 2301s with Watt Puppy 8s and Maxx 2s, I knew there was more. Has anyone ever compared Lamm with higher powered tubes in the low end where the Watts and Maxxs are notoriously current hungry? Do the Lamms run out of steam relative to the higher powered stuff?