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Best Amplifier?

CoolHomey501

CoolHomey501

New Member
Hey Guys,

I'd like to know what you guys think is the BEST amplifier that someone can buy. I'm pretty rich, so cost is no big deal b/c I can buy anything. I've got some McIntosh 501s, but I want to know if I can do better. Please let me know.
 
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CoolHomey501 said:
Hey Guys,

I'd like to know what you guys think is the BEST amplifier that someone can buy. I'm pretty rich, so cost is no big deal b/c I can buy anything. I've got some McIntosh 501s, but I want to know if I can do better. Please let me know.
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You can always do better, what speakers are you running? I guess you could go stupendous and buy a couple of the 2KW monoblocks if you have the right speakers......
Theres nothing like headroom!!

But seriously, a bit more about your system and what your goal is, would be quite helpful.....
Solid state or tube?
 
I would go to a high end store with an established reputation. Have them come to your home and make recommendations based on your room's acoustics and your personal taste. Most of these places have a liberal equipment test policy. Keep trying different combinations until you're happy.
 
kevzep said:
You can always do better, what speakers are you running? I guess you could go stupendous and buy a couple of the 2KW monoblocks if you have the right speakers......
Theres nothing like headroom!!

But seriously, a bit more about your system and what your goal is, would be quite helpful.....
Solid state or tube?
Click to expand...

Solid State! I am using some McIntosh XR100's as speakers. My sound goal is transparency.

Thanks for your help
 
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For me, wealth has had absolutely no bearing on the enjoyment of the gear that I own (or have owned). I sez - buy what you like. Personally, I LOVE to lust after something that I can't afford . . . hell, that's half the fun.

I have heard some incredibly inexpensive systems set up correctly outperform some of the best gear money can buy. I find there is no substitution for education when looking to improve one's audio system.
 
damacman said:
For me, wealth has had absolutely no bearing on the enjoyment of the gear that I own (or have owned). I sez - buy what you like. Personally, I LOVE to lust after something that I can't afford . . . hell, that's half the fun.

I have heard some incredibly inexpensive systems set up correctly outperform some of the best gear money can buy. I find there is no substitution for education when looking to improve one's audio system.
Click to expand...

Best answer so far.

CoolHomey501 said:
Solid State! I am using some McIntosh XR100's as speakers. My sound goal is transparency.
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Lets see here - you have the 501's, a C41, the MCD 301, and XR100's. Assuming its all set up properly, I figure you should already have your sound goal. But of course, as Kev implied, anything can get better :scratch2:
 
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Okay, now just doing a bit of reading, this is what I would do, if the XR100's were the speakers for me......

Assuming that you love the speakers (of which I am interested to know what you think) there's a few things you could do to optimize your speakers.

If you went ahead and bought 4 x MC601, you could bi-amp the XR100's......

That would certainly improve things somewhat I would imagine.....

There have been suggestions about non McIntosh amplifiers, but how could you turn down 4 x 600watt McIntosh monoblocks?

What pre-amp are you running?
 
Rich Andrews said:
If money were unlimited I would have the following:

XRT2k speakers
pair of MC2kw monoblocks
C2300
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Would you not Bi-amp them? money no object and all.......

Actually just reading up on the XRT2K speakers, wow!! Totally up my alley to a tee!!
Bi-amp them?? Hell, why not tri-amp them......!!
What an insanely brilliant speaker system!! I like the way McIntosh have taken a line source array approach to the speaker design, very controlled vertical pattern, nice constant horizontal pattern, putting the sound where it needs to go instead of bouncing off every reflective surface.....nice....
Man you could chew up 6 x MC2KW powering a system like that.....love it!!
 
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Money no object?
Atma-Sphere MA-3
500WPC 6AS7G based tube monoblocks
Come with their own external 152lb power supplies
$147,100 + tax
 
HiFi-ve said:
Money no object?
Atma-Sphere MA-3
500WPC 6AS7G based tube monoblocks
Come with their own external 152lb power supplies
$147,100 + tax
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Doesnt sound like Mcintosh though eh? I think the OP was after McIntosh, if I am not mistaken.......

Nice system though......good to dream.....
 
kevzep said:
Doesnt sound like Mcintosh though eh? I think the OP was after McIntosh, if I am not mistaken.......

Nice system though......good to dream.....
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Well he never said best McIntosh amplifier, though whether or not the location of this thread in this subforum implied it is debatable.
OP also said best, not most expensive. In that context and sticking to McIntosh I would have to say the MC-60s. Though his XR100s aren't relatively efficient and rather power hungry, he might just go for MC2KW, assuming his definition of "pretty rich" is alike to mine.
 
HiFi-ve said:
Well he never said best McIntosh amplifier, though whether or not the location of this thread in this subforum implied it is debatable.
OP also said best, not most expensive. In that context and sticking to McIntosh I would have to say the MC-60s. Though his XR100s aren't relatively efficient and rather power hungry, he might just go for MC2KW, assuming his definition of "pretty rich" is alike to mine.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was a little veiled, you are right of course, I made an assumption because it was in this forum....

I did a bit of research, and while the MC2KW would be stupendous, the MC601 is the perfect match for the XR100 the way I see it.....

However if he went with the XRT2K, then he is into MC2KW territory straight away....tri-amp the suckers and really go to town!!
 
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