Terry, Welcome to AA :wave:

Terry...gald to have you on board :thumbsup: :wave:

Thanks guys. I've been here a week and I'm more confused than when I started. I've ingested so many MC, MA, MR and c #s they're all running together, being my first audio board and I know less now. LOL

I THOUGHT I had a clue from another board I've been on for 4 years and help with it. I'm still trying to figure out how to send a PM or email. I've read everything twice. Someone sent me a conversation "what ever that is" and can't figure out how to respond. Thanks for the welcome and future help.

Sending PM's is a benefit, among many others discussed here by becoming a Subscriber.

http://audioaficionado.org/become-aa...ubscriber.html

Sorry, I didn't catch that. All I saw was these 2 things from the FAQ. I guess I've never known a registered member not to be able to contact another on a forum. I was still thinking the 10 post rule and was excited there were a few around me. I suppose it's one way to keep out the trolls. LOL

So on this Visitor Message feature, can you not reply to someone that posted something for you either? I'm still trying to figure it all out but there are sooo many threads on such a new forum it's overwhelming and complex, plus it's new.

I'm a four year elder and help manage on a cigar forum, and we catch 10 trolls a day signing on and is a huge problem. Thanks for the answer


If your a new user with less than 10 posts you do not have the ability to post new threads, private message, or edit your profile. We do this to prevent spamming, virus, and spyware attacks on the forum. Once you reach 10 approved posts you will gain these privileges.

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Hi. New member here. Here's what's happening with me in terms of my audio life:

I currently run a set of DIY speakers ("exodus audio kit 2641") that I overbuilt a few years ago (1.5" MDF walls all around, serious bracing on the insides, outboard crossovers, etc.) with a Parasound HCA3500 amp (350x2), Parasound P3 preamplifier, and a PS Audio DAC III (USB). Source material is all apple lossless from a nearby silent PC.

My first exploration into decent audio was by way of an Onkyo Integra M-504 amplifier with the illuminated watt meters. I was hooked on audio via the Onkyo's dancing meters and have spent years dreaming about Mcintosh blue meters. Since the Parasound is more than capable, I've had no real push to upgrade. In fact, the audio upgrade bug hasn't been on me for over 5 years. The other day, however, the left channel on the Parasound turned off for no apparent reason... and it has been happening about every other listening session. Even worse, during a couple of the listening sessions the channel did not turn off, but was merely attenuated. The audio upgrade bug has bit again and I am now very strongly drawn to the blue meters of Mcintosh.

I listened to the mc302 driving some B&W 803d's this past weekend and was impressed. The mc302 was hooked up to the 2300 preamplifier. They played the same speakers using a Bryston stack, and I was frankly taken-aback by how well the Bryston stack demoed. Without getting too subjective, the Mc stack was warm and the Bryston stack was forward and clear. I like warmth, but was favorably impressed by the Bryston. The audio store was near closing and didn't have time to let me listen to the mc302 on a solid state preamplifier. I might call and tell them to set up a solid state Bryston amplifier versus McIntosh amplifier test for me (same speakers, sources, preamplifiers). I will likely buy the mc302, but the Mc stack with the 2300 pre almost sounded cloudy (or overly warm) to my ears relative to the Bryston. Any comments on this experience? Should I expect the mc302 with a solid state preamplifier to resolve a little cooler than with the 2300 pre?

kfr01 Welcome to AA! :wave:

Be Careful What You Wish For!
 

kfr01: Welcome to the forum, and thanks for your post. I am impressed that you were able to be happy for 5 years without the itch to upgrade. I try not to fix things that aren't broken myself.

Here's my take on your McIntosh vs. Bryston dilema: This is in no way to knock Bryston gear. In fact, what I have read recently indicates that the Bryston house sound has evolved somewhat from what used to be considered hyper-analytical or even overly bright to a smoother, cleaner sound, while retaining some of the best detail retreival in the business. That said, you should proceed with caution. What sounds clearer and cleaner in a showroom may, in time, come to induce listening fatigue in your own home. The McIntosh house sound, which I prefer, is smooth, warm, yet still renders plenty of detail. After years of incremental upgrades, I finally have a system I can listen to for extended periods of time and not get the itch to switch to a movie or TV program. I am fortunate that, based on comments on user forums and professional reviews, I was able to assemble such a system for an amount of money I could afford.:banana:

Especially since you are running DIY speakers, I would not make such a large committment without either in-home trials (of more than a few days) or a return/exchange option. If your dealer is a dealer for both brands, this should not be a problem. I bought my McIntosh C220 preamp without any store audition (used from Audio Classics), but only did so because the dealer offered a return option. IMHO, there is no substitute for an extended audition in your system, in your home, with your music, and no salesman hovering. Not to knock retailers, some are fantastic, but it is rare that there is a complete absence of pressure during an in-store audition.

So, of course, go with the Bryston if you prefer it (not for nothing, but blue meters, while cool, are not a reason to buy any piece of hifi gear). I would stick to more recent Bryston products for sure, and definitely listen at home before committing.:yes:

Good luck!:thumbsup:

kfr01 Welcome! :D

Sorry, I don't have any experience with equipment in question. :no:

Reg

bondmanp:

Great reply. Thank you.

I particularly like your point that what sounds clearer and cleaner in a showroom might be fatiguing in-home. I have always preferred some amount of electronics warmth to sound that is overly sterile, but was frankly shocked by the apparent resolution of the Bryston rig.

You mentioned in-home trials. Are these typically offered? My dealer has both brands, but I didn't get the feeling that in-home demos would be the sort of thing he'd be up for. I could be wrong.

I have some custom smaller monitors that are voiced similarly to the towers I built (same tweeter and similar tweeter-to-mid crossover). I wonder whether the dealer would allow me to bring those speakers into his store for the demo, if a demo of his equipment in my home is not an option.

Regarding salesman pressure, I'm wondering what kind of profits the dealers are able to extract out of a Bryston sale versus a McIntosh sale. The dealer unapologetically preferred Bryston. I don't remember the exact phrasing, but the pitch was something like "Bryston is a Ferrari without a badge, McIntosh is a Porsche SUV. It is nice to be in the Porsche club, but you're not driving a Ferrari." Thoughts on this analogy? Totally uncalled for? Just a thought, I wonder if down-selling (just talking about price now) to Bryston has actually been an effective sales tactic for this particular dealer during the past couple years and has now become a knee-jerk reaction. (I was ready to pull the trigger on the mc302 but decided to walk away after the demo and associated dealer comment).

Regarding the blue meters, all things being equal, my wife loves the look of McIntosh gear and I have surprising support for upgrading from the "ugly metal box" (the Parasound monster) to "such a beautiful retro look."

Anyway, the audio bug is here. I have been reacquainted with audiogon, 6moons, and the whole deal. Fun stuff. A guy needs a hobby.

Cheers,
Karl