HT amplifier options

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Logan Nolag

If you go with the 205 you can always add a 2 channel amp or a pair of monoblocks later and upgrade to 7 channel. Although if I were you I would get a nice 2 channel Mac amp like a 252 or 302 and add one of the new marantz 5 channel amps for center and surround.

Looking at your Avatar brings back some fond memories. The MC7300 was one of the first Mac amps I owned. It was so heavy back then (still is really) paid retail at $3400 too...

[Logan Nolag]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Looking at your Avatar brings back some fond memories. The MC7300 was one of the first Mac amps I owned. It was so heavy back then (still is really) paid retail at $3400 too...

Its a great amp. I have it paired with an C712. I upgraded from a MC2125 a little less than a year ago. Got them all fro Audio Classics .

[W9TR]

Update:
I've got the new-to-me MX 135 installed and calibrated. It sounds great, and is much easier to use than my older Fosgate FAP T-1 Pre/Pro. The Oppo BDP 95 is also in place and sounding almost as good out of the box as my MCD 500. I've got multi-channel SACD for the first time, and I'm loving it!

My new JVC RS-50 is looking good. I'll wait for another few weeks to calibrate it. Then it should really sing. It is already better in most ways than my G70.

I'm back looking at amps, and think two MC 601's and an MC303 would be a sweet combo for my 5.1 setup. Or three 601's, LCR, and another two channel amp for the rears. Maybe keep the Sherbourne for awhile to let my wallet cool off a bit.

Thoughts?

[Ron]

I went the 601's & 303 and could not be happier. Very good combination. Both are the newly designed amps. The 303 is 100% better for the center and surrounds when using the 601's for your fronts, than my 205 would have been. I would save money and just buy two 601's. The 303 just opened up my speakers.

Read what Ron C. said about the 303 as a center channel.

[W9TR]

Ron,
You've got a great setup. I hadn't looked at the MC 303, it looks to be an awesome amp. I might even consider it for the fronts instead of going with 601's. It is an awesome option. But the 601's are calling. My HT is small, but, hey, by definition you can't have too much overkill!

[McMan]

I have been lurking around here for a while and decided to jump in with an idea for your future setup. I don’t remember coming across anyone having two MC303 for their theater system. I was thinking that this would have to be a fantastic setup because of the quality of their power supplies and also this would give you autoformers throughout the system.

I know that this give’s you 6 channels so I was thinking that you could bi-amp the center channel because of its heavy work load. Please let me know what you think and if it is even possible to setup a system like this. Looking forward to all of your responds.

Oh. Almost forgot to mention that it would look awesome in a rack and you would still have enough room to add a third in the event that you would like more power or decided to change speakers to one’s that you could tri-amp.

[chessman]

For HT, go MC 303 for L-C-R to get a seamless front end and the all-important center channel juiced up, then let the Sherbourn carry the surrounds, which do not really do much.

For doubling as a music room, go MC 601's now for the L-R and add a MC 303 later for center and surrounds.

Or if you are nuts like me, get the MC 601's and the MC 303 now.

[Dj_AmTraX]

I like Mcintosh MC7205.

[Ron]

Or if you are nuts like me, get the MC 601's and the MC 303 now.

Thats what I did.

[W9TR]

Thanks Tim,
I'll check to see if channels of the 303 can be bridged. There is a $2k difference between two 303's and a pair of 602's and a 303. I don't have the greatest speaker in the HT currently, so I'm not sure I'd hear the difference. I use the HT strictly for movies and more recently, multiple-channel SACD. This will be a fun journey!