McIntosh MEN220 Review

[hkval]

Dan, your review leaves no doubt about the value of the MEN220. The level of musical presence it provides in my system continues to amaze me. I have a special sweet spot on my large leather couch but, also, the sonic realism throughout my entire home has soared to a new level.
I read your great review 3 times and agree with every word. My prime personal measure of a system is piano and female vocal and the MEN220 has exceeded my expectations in authentic reproduction of these 2 instruments. I know you waited a very long time for this machine and purchased it based on the recommendations here on AudioAficionado and your faith in McIntosh products.
Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy!!!!!

[jdandy]

Howard.......I agree with your comments about piano and female vocal. If a system can get those correct, the rest seems to fall into place. Like you said, the MEN220 develops a sonic realism throughout my entire listening area. I even notice the greater three dimensionality down the hall in my office. I like your impression, "soared to a new level." That is the gospel truth.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by TommyC

What a convincing review! I wonder if there will be any more improvement once the MEN220 breaks in.

Tommy.......Thank you. I am anticipating some additional richness as the MEN220 breaks in. Honestly though, I don't know how it could get much better than it is right now.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jdandy

I don't know how it could get much better than it is right now.

Do you know how many times we all say that...

[Pyro]

Thanks for the great review Dan.

I guess it's time to move into a bigger house so I can get more McIntosh pieces.

[Still-One]

Dan
After reading your review I wonder if we have the same piece of gear?

The width of my soundstage collapses width wise when in the Focus position, just the opposite of what you get. I do get better definition with voices and there "may" be additional layering of the music from front to back. I still hear a bit of what I call "reverb" on vocals but less since I have replaced the MCD-500's DAC with that of the D-07.

I re-ran the set-up again earlier today. Again I was able to get back to 100% with about 8 readings using 15% of the processing.

I do not have to worry about additional Focus positions with only the one seat in my room.

I am glad yours is working out so well and was worth the wait.
Jim

[masanori]

Dan that was a great review. I will be adding the Men220 to my rack.

[jdandy]

Jim.......Based on your previous comments about your MEN220 performance with the omni-directional radiation pattern of your MBL 111F speakers, I am not really surprised that the MEN220 reduces your sound stage. When I think about you measuring your room's sonic signature, it stands to reason that the MEN220 may be trying to adjust Room Perfect to remove some of the reflected sound that is actually part of your speaker's design characteristics. In so doing, a reduction of the sound stage you enjoy without Room Perfect seems to make some logical sense to me. I may be all wet here, but it's a thought.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by masanori

Dan that was a great review. I will be adding the Men220 to my rack.

George.......You won't regret it for a single second. The addition of the MEN220 to a high-end sound system constitutes a serious upgrade in audio performance. I have no doubt you will be very pleased with the results.

[JFR0317]

Another great review, Dan! Your experiences mirror mine with my MEN220. I have had a similar improvement with the Room Perfect in my MX150. It's a truly amazing technology!