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Old 01-24-2021, 04:28 PM
knecht knecht is offline
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Join Date: May 2018
Location: Chicago
Posts: 65
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles View Post
knecht, Great choices and decision. Mac and Wilson are a great combo. I can attest to that. Mac bass is perfect for Wilson speakers. I don't want fat loose bass but I want natural bass that is not over damped. The bass must be ample.

Before going with my D1100 I had a C1000 pre and a MCD1100. Most DAC's that function as pre's sound worse without a pre. Not so with the D1100. So I was able to greatly simplify my signal path.

Simplification of signal path is always desirable. I don't see the weight or the weight distribution an issue of significance. The autoformers are essential to the Mac smooth rounded detailed sound.

I grade Mac/Wilson as essentially neutral but with a significant touch of romanticism. Virtually everything you play through it sounds pleasing with zero harshness, yet with a satisfying amount of resolution and beautiful soundstage.

That's the kind of system that pleases me and it's the most beautiful gear to boot. Absolute congratulations! I think Mac will sell a ton of 12000's.

Best

Charles

p.s. love to see pics

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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house.
Thank you, Charles. A few years a ago, I owned the D1100 and MC452 and it was a great combination. I’ve owned a lot of gear over the past 5 years, including PSA BHK300’s, PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP’s, D’Ag Progression, and Benchmark AHB2’s with various Preamps PSA BHK, C2300, PrimaLuna Premium Preamp, ARC LS28. All I can say is the MA12000 is a keeper. McIntosh and Wilson pair very nicely! Before buying the MA12000, I considered the D’Agostino Progression Integrated and Vinnie Rossi L2i SE. I really liked the Vinnie Rossi, but heard through the grapevine they are going a different direction.

I will post some pics soon. I’m still waiting for my cables and it’s a little messy right now.
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McIntosh MA12000, Wilson SabrinaX, Bluesound Node 2i, Transparent Ultra Gen5 Speaker Cables, Transparent Gen5 Powerwave, Transparent High Performance Gen5 Power Cables, Transparent Premium Gen5 75 Ohm Digital Cable, Tidal Connect
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