Suggestions for multichannel amps?

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by IM3CPO

As I said earlier, this particular use case scenario has no drawback to using USB 2.0. That being said, USB 2.0 came out in 2000 while the NEWEST Gen Thunderbolt 3 was released in 2019, so its just a matter of moving from 20 year old technology to something newer. If you wanted to summarize the differences down to a single statement though, the newer standards are just faster. USB 2.0 is simply "fast enough" for all but edge case scenarios though when it comes to audio. So USB 2.0 will go away at some point entirely but again, remember... The newer standards can run at the USB 2.0 specification so none of this is going to adversely affect the performance of your new preamp.

3CPO..... That's about as clear as it gets. Needless to say, USB 2.0 is being "passed" by faster transfer technology, but the fact that most of our uses will involve audio makes the lack of newer USB standards non-critical.

Does that sound about right to you?

If so, that's all good for us. In essence, it opens our list up for pre-pros (AVPs) that are bit older and, hopefully, less expensive.

[IM3CPO]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

3CPO..... That's about as clear as it gets. Needless to say, USB 2.0 is being "passed" by faster transfer technology, but the fact that most of our uses will involve audio makes the lack of newer USB standards non-critical.

Does that sound about right to you?

If so, that's all good for us. In essence, it opens our list up for pre-pros (AVPs) that are bit older and, hopefully, less expensive.

Yep, you got it right... Go off the actual performance and features of the preamp; USB 2.0 vs a higher standard shouldnt be part of the deciding factor.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by IM3CPO

Yep, you got it right... Go off the actual performance and features of the preamp; USB 2.0 vs a higher standard shouldnt be part of the deciding factor.

Great, I can now check the USB issue off of our list now.

Now back to multichannel amplification... My wife and I had "sit-down" yesterday and decided that, in order to make our entertainment room a reality, we have to consider selling off a couple pieces of our Mac gear. Being old-school Mac stereo fans, we've been looking for a good used Mac MC-207 we can afford, but, alas, they're very hard to find (even if we sell our Mac pieces).

3CPO..... I don't recall a suggestion from you regarding a good multi-channel amplifier. Bearing in mind that we'll probably keep our Mac MC-300 for stereo operation, do you have a good [used] 5+ channel amp you would suggest for us? To clarify a bit further, we would probably want to put our hard-earned into a multi-channel amp capable of delivering at least 125W per channel into 8 ohms.

As ever, thank you kindly for your time.

[clpetersen]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I installed one { ed- NAD M28} in my weekend system this weekend and it seems a revelation. Of course, it is only a brief encounter so far.

Good to hear (sic), Kal. It seems the ATI N-core and NAD M series amplifiers are similar in that they use amplifier technology invented by Bruno Putzeys (N-core, Purifi modules).

The ATI uses a traditional linear power supply in front of the N-Core modules - what does NAD use? NAD has nicer casework though.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by IM3CPO

If you wanted to summarize the differences down to a single statement though, the newer standards are just faster. USB 2.0 is simply "fast enough" for all but edge case scenarios though when it comes to audio.

I have no problem with 5.1channels of 24/352.8PCM or DSD256, so I am guessing that you stereo guys are not close to the edge.

The newer standards can run at the USB 2.0 specification so none of this is going to adversely affect the performance of your new preamp.

Amen.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I have no problem with 5.1channels of 24/352.8PCM or DSD256, so I am guessing that you stereo guys are not close to the edge.

All the more reason, Kal, to leave this issue in the dust...Now to find a good used multi-channel amp to go with our old Mac MC-300...

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

All the more reason, Kal, to leave this issue in the dust...Now to find a good used multi-channel amp to go with our old Mac MC-300...

Forgive me if I have not been following these threads assiduously but...
1. How many channels do you need?
2. Will you still be using the MC-300 for the main L/R channels?
3. If so, what is the gain of the MC-300?
4. Budget/space constraints?

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Forgive me if I have not been following these threads assiduously but...
1. How many channels do you need?
2. Will you still be using the MC-300 for the main L/R channels?
3. If so, what is the gain of the MC-300?
4. Budget/space constraints?

Thanks for asking, sir...

1. 5 channels at [roughly] 120W/channel (minimum);

2. Yes, we decided today that the MC-300 will stay as our stereo amp;

3. Perhaps I'm lost here, but the autoformer-coupled MC-300 will supply 300W/channel into 8, 4 or 2 ohm loads. All of our B&Ws have 8 ohm input Z.

4. For the amp, I'd say that [roughly] $4 to 5K is the budget we're working with...but, of course, that could change with the discovery of a decent AVP. In other words, we don't know how much that will cost us yet.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

3. Perhaps I'm lost here, but the autoformer-coupled MC-300 will supply 300W/channel into 8, 4 or 2 ohm loads. All of our B&Ws have 8 ohm input Z.

What I am asking is how much does the amplifier amplify and that is expressed in dB. Should be in the user's manual or on the website.

I ask that because, although one can balance the outputs of the two amps, if one has significantly more/less gain than the other, one will sacrifice some of the power of one of them when used together.

4. For the amp, I'd say that [roughly] $4 to 5K is the budget we're working with...but, of course, that could change with the discovery of a decent AVP. In other words, we don't know how much that will cost us yet.

Ah. I do not have the information in hand (or in head) but I have heard of AVRs that will allow almost free routing of signals to their internal amps. Such a device would allow you to use your MC-300 with the AVR's internal amps and avoid the need for external amps.

[IM3CPO]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Great, I can now check the USB issue of of our list now.

Now back to multichannel amplification... My wife and I had "sit-down" yesterday and decided that, in order to make our entertainment room a reality, we have to consider selling off a couple pieces of our Mac gear. Being old-school Mac stereo fans, we've been looking for a good used Mac MC-207 we can afford, but, alas, they're very hard to find (even if we sell our Mac pieces).

3CPO..... I don't recall a suggestion from you regarding a good multi-channel amplifier. Bearing in mind that we'll probably keep our Mac MC-300 for stereo operation, do you have a good [used] 5+ channel amp you would suggest for us? To clarify a bit further, we would probably want to put our hard-earned into a multi-channel amp capable of delivering at least 125W per channel into 8 ohms.

As ever, thank you kindly for your time.

No problem.. Glad I could help.

As far as the amp is concerned... Well, I was in your shoes once and I solved it with a MC-207... I even sold it at one time thinking I didnt need it only to end up having to buy another one (which I still have). You could also look for a MC-205, as that might save you a little bit. I took a look on AudioGon and see two MC-207's listed as well as a MC-205. Not sure if those solutions would be in your budget, but one good thing about the MC-20X series is it diverts the power of unused channels and can run at multiple ohm loads while still giving you full power (which I am sure you already know) and it having power guard....