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Best Amplifier?

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.
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That was my take as well.

At this site: http://www.higherfi.com/audio_amps/1 it's hard to believe that you can buy a small integrated tube amp (AUDIO NOTE Ongaku) and pay more than for a pair of 2KWs. Just unbelievable!
 
kevzep said:
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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Power disregarded, I would go for the 2KW just for this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_-ATtM0_4g
I wonder what the weighting on that SNR spec is though.
 
If money is really no object, I'd suggest attending a lot more live concerts in large and small intimate venues, completely transparent.

Hire some local musicians of the genres you like and have them play at your home, outdoor park, or schools.

Underwrite a local performance venue, group, or series. Give generously to your local PBS or listener supported music station.

Support real, live music and musicians. Nothing, and I mean nothing about our stereo systems will ever beat that.
 
Money's no problem? Keep your current set up and have a professional sound consultant design a dedicated listening room for you and your gear.
 
mech986 said:
If money is really no object, I'd suggest attending a lot more live concerts in large and small intimate venues, completely transparent.

Hire some local musicians of the genres you like and have them play at your home, outdoor park, or schools.

Underwrite a local performance venue, group, or series. Give generously to your local PBS or listener supported music station.

Support real, live music and musicians. Nothing, and I mean nothing about our stereo systems will ever beat that.
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What a wonderful idea. Outside of Europe, Manhattan has some of the best small jazz clubs. I'll address this to everyone: You haven't heard the real thing until you experience improvisation while sitting a few feet from some of the finest jazz artists in the world. And these small clubs are cheap. Check New York magazine for listings. My favorite place is where Coltrane made his magic: The Village Vanguard.
 
kevzep said:
Would you not Bi-amp them? money no object and all.......
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I have tried bi-amping and tri-amping and just didn't hear any advantage. 2kw into a 2kw rated speaker is about right.

Anyone care to do the math for the SPL that speaker will produce at 2kw? It is rated at 89db@1watt.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. After careful consideration, I love the 501's so much I think I'm just going to get two more of them and continue to use the XR 100s, but I'm going to hit the market for a new pre-amp to upgrade my old C-41.

Any top of the line selections for a new pre-amp to go with my group of 501's? Thanks.
 
Rich Andrews said:
I have tried bi-amping and tri-amping and just didn't hear any advantage. 2kw into a 2kw rated speaker is about right.

Anyone care to do the math for the SPL that speaker will produce at 2kw? It is rated at 89db@1watt.
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121.92 dB of head-banging McIntosh watts :guitar:

Cheers :music:
 
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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Easy......MC2301's
 
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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...or you could just hire Van Halen to play to your next birthday party. :D
 
CoolHomey501 said:
Thanks for the suggestions. After careful consideration, I love the 501's so much I think I'm just going to get two more of them and continue to use the XR 100s, but I'm going to hit the market for a new pre-amp to upgrade my old C-41.

Any top of the line selections for a new pre-amp to go with my group of 501's? Thanks.
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Sounds to me like a wise path you've decided to take. Sure you could spend any amount more but I'm guessing you realize you simply don't need to in order to get the level of satisfaction you're wanting. I'll likely have to die and go to heaven (or wherever) before I can put in an order for (or conjure) the kind of system you're putting together.:angel:

Many folks here will recommend the few preamps at Mac's top end; and who can blame 'em? If I were in your $ position, I need flexibility of tone controls so I'd go for either a C48 or C50.
If tubes in the pre were more of a priority, I'd get either the C2300, or go all out and get the C1000 which gives you a choice of tube or SS in the amp module.
If I only used digital sources and did't need tone controls I'd get the lovely little D100 which I hear comes with a most serious headphone amp. As far as I know, the reviews are still out on the D100 but I'm really feelin' the faith. I tell ya, if it had the traditional 5 band eq, I'd be pinning 'wish' pictures of it on the fridge until I could make one come true; or until my wife pulled it down :D

In the meantime, All AK'ers (and lurkers) have a very Merry Christmas! I know You CoolHomey will...
 
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Doc Savage said:
Well if you truly can buy anything, why not a Pivetta Opera One? :music:

http://www.extravaganzi.com/pivetta-opera-one-the-worlds-ultimate-and-most-expensive-amplifier/

Not even the Wall street guys have this amp!
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That is not an amp, it is a nuclear bomb disguised as an amp. Quick, call Homeland Security. We are about to be bombed by music!

Seriously, if you want good sound you have to experiment. Money does not necessarily buy the best results. If you are wealthy try many different systems. As long as they will fit in your Ferrari for transport home: that is.. :yes:

Just kidding. Get three rebuilt MC30's with a rebuilt C22 preamp driving a Bellle Klipsch center speaker with Klipschorns on the side, and you will be as happy as a clam not on the dinner table.

No kidding , it is the best system I have ever heard. I have heard systems that could buy, what I just described, by selling one speaker. They can't touch it.
 
I'd go with the Atma-Sphere as recommended earlier. The best amp is no amp- or whatever sounds like no amp- just music. Plus you're buying from a small manufacturer that employs a few people and quality is very high. Take a look...
 
Rich Andrews said:
I have tried bi-amping and tri-amping and just didn't hear any advantage. 2kw into a 2kw rated speaker is about right.

Anyone care to do the math for the SPL that speaker will produce at 2kw? It is rated at 89db@1watt.
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I believe with passive bi-amping you wont gain any advantage at all really.....
You are still using the passive crossover network, and the amplifiers still have full-range signal going through them....
I dont think its a very efficient way of doing it...
If I was going to bi-amp or tr-iamp them I would by-pass the passive crossover and use an active crossover....
They give you the crossover points.....Off you go.....That way each amplifier is only dealing with the particular bandwidth of the drivers its dealing with, and connected directly to the drivers rather than going through a passive crossover network....
Just thinking out loud......
 
I have tried the active crossover with both a bi-amp and tri-amp and bypassed the speaker's crossover. Still didn't hear any significant difference. It sure added to the complexity and cost of the system. The recording engineer that wanted it agreed with my assessment so we dismantled it and went back to a passive crossover and a single amplifier.
 
Rich Andrews said:
I have tried the active crossover with both a bi-amp and tri-amp and bypassed the speaker's crossover. Still didn't hear any significant difference. It sure added to the complexity and cost of the system. The recording engineer that wanted it agreed with my assessment so we dismantled it and went back to a passive crossover and a single amplifier.
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Interesting, well they must be some impressive passive crossover network....
Good to know when I'm ready to make the jump to new speakers.......
 
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