#281
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#282
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
You have a wonderful vintage amp. Enjoy! |
#283
|
|||
|
|||
Wow I never heard speakers with 1.5-2 ohm impedance, that obviously calls for some special amplifier
|
#284
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I can't imagine many more difficult loads, maybe Apogees. I would be curious to hear 1.2KW or 1.25KW on my speakers for fun.
__________________
Main System Basis 2200 Signature/Vector 4/Transfiguration Proteus Ortofon Cadenza Black Allnic H3000/CJ ET5/Mcintosh 501's Thiel CS3.6 Thiel CS6 MIT EVO 2 IC Straightwire Maestro II SC Shunyata Denali SV2 Shunyata Sigma XC Wywires Juice PC’s Kubala Sosna PC’s Dedicated 20 amp lines Porter Ports Arcici Ref Suspense Stand Rives acoustically designed room Shore House Basis 1400 Signature/Hadcock 228/Ortofon Jubilee ARC PH 5/Meridian 200/Meridian 263 DAC CJ Premier 14/Classe CA200/Thiel 3.6 Wywires Silver IC/Stereolab Diablo SC/MIT Z cord II |
#285
|
||||
|
||||
My Aerial Acoustic 8s dip pretty low as well and I am running them on the 4 ohm tap with no issues.
My experience with 2 ohm and below rated speakers has all been with subwoofers with their own plate amps installed.
__________________
Michael 4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
|
#286
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Thiel CS5's and CS5i's had a sensitivity of about 86 db and a constant impedance of 2 ohms. They were extremely difficult to drive. I owned a pair for about 5 years. I used a Krell FPB 700 and wished I had the mono 750's. Those were beautiful amps and still among the best on the planet. But they were pure class A 100% all the time and would heat a large room. 6000 watt power supply and more output transistors than you can count. The Krell Master Reference mono amp is to this day the best amp on the planet, Relentless not withstanding, IMO. I don't know how my 1.25's would do on a CS5. The bass reflex Thiel's were a much easier drive than the acoustic suspension CS5. I previously used a 600 watt/ch Mac on the CS5 but it didn't do the job the 700 did and I did use the 2 ohm tap. You know how I love Mac and the Mac house sound. Among the best amps on the planet for 99% of speakers but there are rare speakers that nothing but the amps Dan D'Agostino makes can drive, IMO. Whether it be his current amps or the older Krells. His amps have a great sound with tremendous presence and detail with zero harshness or grain. They can drive anything. No taps or transformers. You have to appreciate greatness even if you don't use it. Last edited by Charles; 11-22-2019 at 06:55 AM. |
#287
|
|||
|
|||
Hi Charles,
Having lived with CS5i's you no doubt have great experience with a great speaker. And you have a great speaker now! I contemplated many times about buying that speaker, the 5i, but knew I would have to invest in new amplification as well and big. Back then I was using a 200 watt Classe with a 3.6 prior to getting the 501's. For reference, I just looked at my sales receipt and cannot believe I have had the 501's since 2004.....WOW! Well I would say I really like the Mac sound but that is obvious. Not sure where I would go next to step it up - lots of options for lots of money. I find that over time you get so accustomed to a sonic flavor it is hard to switch. I have certainly found that with Thiel. What do you like most about your 1.25's?
__________________
Main System Basis 2200 Signature/Vector 4/Transfiguration Proteus Ortofon Cadenza Black Allnic H3000/CJ ET5/Mcintosh 501's Thiel CS3.6 Thiel CS6 MIT EVO 2 IC Straightwire Maestro II SC Shunyata Denali SV2 Shunyata Sigma XC Wywires Juice PC’s Kubala Sosna PC’s Dedicated 20 amp lines Porter Ports Arcici Ref Suspense Stand Rives acoustically designed room Shore House Basis 1400 Signature/Hadcock 228/Ortofon Jubilee ARC PH 5/Meridian 200/Meridian 263 DAC CJ Premier 14/Classe CA200/Thiel 3.6 Wywires Silver IC/Stereolab Diablo SC/MIT Z cord II |
#288
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
When I bought my 1.2KW I was disappointed it did not have the new output transistor the 601 had but I wanted the higher power. Without taking anything away from the older Mac amps the 1.25 has a wonderful liquidity of sound, especially with Wilsons. Zero grain or harshness but not the presence you get with the Dag and maybe not quite the resolution. What you get with a Dag or the Krell FPB is the live performance sense that you are there, the performers are literally in the room. The Mac sound is more relaxed and laid back. For my taste I can live with both. You know, not every thing you listen to is a live performance. On my Mac when I am actually listening to a live performance, it sounds like one. The 1.25 is chameleon-like and makes my Alexx sing. Last edited by Charles; 11-22-2019 at 02:58 PM. |
#289
|
|||
|
|||
Great insight on Thiel speakers. I think the problems with Thiel began when Jim got sick and later passed. I know he was finishing the 3.7 at the time, not sure about plans after that. There apparently and unfortunately was no succession plan.
My wife wanted to buy those for me for my 50th (11 years ago!) but after hours of auditioning with 3 different systems I just could not pull the trigger. I was a long time 3.6 owner. I was interested in a larger more dynamic speaker and chose the CS6 although I still have my 3.6 like an old flame! Regarding my 501's, sometimes I want the additional resolution/transparency that several SS would offer but most of the time I get plenty out of my system. I am a classic rocker so some of my vinyl is not audiophile quality and the Mac's fit perfectly with there "somewhat" forgiving nature. Lots of options for great SS amps out there but lately I am as interested in brands that have longevity as I am sota. I have some key components that are no longer in business, Transfiguration, Thiel. Also 15 years is a long time to stick with one amp, I am getting itchy. That's where 1.25 might be the scratch one day.
__________________
Main System Basis 2200 Signature/Vector 4/Transfiguration Proteus Ortofon Cadenza Black Allnic H3000/CJ ET5/Mcintosh 501's Thiel CS3.6 Thiel CS6 MIT EVO 2 IC Straightwire Maestro II SC Shunyata Denali SV2 Shunyata Sigma XC Wywires Juice PC’s Kubala Sosna PC’s Dedicated 20 amp lines Porter Ports Arcici Ref Suspense Stand Rives acoustically designed room Shore House Basis 1400 Signature/Hadcock 228/Ortofon Jubilee ARC PH 5/Meridian 200/Meridian 263 DAC CJ Premier 14/Classe CA200/Thiel 3.6 Wywires Silver IC/Stereolab Diablo SC/MIT Z cord II |
#290
|
|||
|
|||
I purchased my 501's in 2006. After listening to the MC 252, 352 and 452 amps, I decided I wanted to go mono with a little more power. When I was ramping up to purchasing these, myself and others were having conversations online regarding the design and power aspects, as well as real world capability.
Although I can't find the exact post (from 14 years ago) it was discussed between a number of us and Ron Cornelius at McIntosh, that the 501 fed a clean 120 volts on a 20 amp line is actually capable of over 700wpc. Redlighting Power Guard at 50% he claimed closer to 800 wpc during laboratory tests. I have no way to test those numbers, my dummy loads are only rated to 500wpc, however there was no reason for Ron to lie to us, let alone on an open forum. My experiences with the 501's are that they can run any capable fairly efficient speaker to insane levels in a 16 by 20 foot room with 10 foot ceilings. Levels that are not painful because distortion levels are low, but will leave your hearing with a ring for several days after,..levels as loud as any rock concert I've ever attended. I know in the real world people own a variety of speakers with different specs and can be difficult to drive. That said, I don't find the sound/performance abilities of the 501's dated or limited. Personally, I don't see any need to upgrade ever, but then I'm that guy who still owns and uses multiple 2105's, 2205's 2255's and 2125's. With some new caps and other minimal age related work, those amps sound as good as new today, perhaps better than most of what is on the market today, to me anyway. Unless I hit the Lotto or whatever ( I don't ever play, so fat chance) bigger more powerful Mc amps aren't in my future. I'd much rather keep my preamps and digital audio (CD, DVD, SACD, DVD/A, Blu Ray, High Resolution, Streaming) units up to date with the latest performance levels you can hear, buy a lot more vinyl, and keep upgrading my turntable, (I just bought VPI's Prime Signature this year), as opposed to chasing more watts. I'm similarly contented with my speakers,.. Mc's own XRT 22's which I've owned even longer, over 20 years, which continue to sound perfect with new capacitors I recently installed into their aging crossover networks. How many can honestly say they are that content with the sound and quality of their gear after 14 years or more? I happy to say I am one of those people, and proud owner of several 501's. What these amps do need are those glorious and gorgeous rack handle upgrades that Master Liu offers for sale, which makes the "little" 501's look every bit as formidable as the bigger dogs in Mc's amp stable.. If you are ever in the Hanover Pa. area, feel free to stop in for a listen... |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |