Mcintosh and Aurieges, good idea, bad idea?

[nycjazz]

I have the MC452 and I'm looking to pair with Aurieges, wondering if anyone has tried it and what observations you may have. Speakers are Kef Reference 207/2s. Sources are Oppo 105, Jriver and VPI Classic 3. Thanks!

[MCenthusiast]

I would highly recommend pairing McIntosh with Shindo. My set up is a little different than what you have in mind but I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

[nycjazz]

Very classy, nice!

[Jerome W]

I use sometimes my Giscours preamp with the old MC 2205 and I love what I hear.
Shindo amps have a lot of gain and it is almost mandatory to be able to adjust the gain on the amps, something possible on the vintage Mcs but not on the new ones. You may end up with a balance L/R problem if you listen on the Shindo pre below the 9 oclock position.

[MCenthusiast]

Originally Posted by nycjazz

Very classy, nice!

Thanks NYC! Jerome makes an interesting point about the use of amplifiers without separate gain controls. It looks like your speakers have a sensitivity rating of 91db which would help to avoid the situation he described but a home audition would be ideal. I'm able to run my amps at full gain without issue but balance may be a consideration with some combinations, particularly at lower volumes.

[Jerome W]

Something else : even you do not have a L/ R unbalance, Shindo pre are said to
sound wonderful after 8 or 9 o'clock position. You may miss something if you stay at the very first steps of the volume knob.

[nycjazz]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Something else : even you do not have a L/ R unbalance, Shindo pre are said to
sound wonderful after 8 or 9 o'clock position. You may miss something if you stay at the very first steps of the volume knob.

Interesting. I wonder if it is possible for me to use the variable out of the Oppo as to opposed to the fixed so I can get it in that position (with the fixed, I'm afraid it may be too much much juice from my mc452)?