McIntosh MEN220 Review

[Blueoak]

Originally Posted by Family Progtitioner

I actually have always thought the men220 is a fabulous device. The ad->da conversion is completely transparent. I had a ps audio directstream DAC at the time so I wanted to try an all digital route into it then to my preamp.

You can't go wrong with the men220. It's a perfect collaboration between lyngdorf, the creator of room perfect and McIntosh, the makers of awesome analog outputs.

Why would there be a da -> ad conversation on this dsp? Can't they do all the room correction digitally?

[Blueoak]

Originally Posted by Blueoak

Why would there be a da -> ad conversation on this dsp? Can't they do all the room correction digitally?

Oh never mind. You were talking about the MEN220. Doh!

[GaryProtein]

After I got my Accuphase DG58 for the IRS in my listening room, I placed my MEN220 into my living room system.

All I can say is WOW! I knew the DG58 would bring about a refinement in the IRS system in the listening room, but the addition of the MEN220 in the living room system was not to be believed. While that system isn't my critical listening system and is used to have music playing in the house and to spread the sound of music when we have company, that system never sounded so good! Now it sounds incredible. The soundstage totally opened up; there was a solidity, a three-dimensionality and a presence that wasn't there in any room in which those speakers have ever been in since I bought them in 1973. I have to say that with the addition of the MEN220, you can hear that Roger Russell hit the nail on the head with those speakers. The bass was very powerful, the voices were clearer and solo instruments were just gorgeous to hear.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...0&d=1502929994

[Vmax]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

After I got my Accuphase DG58 for the IRS in my listening room, I placed my MEN220 into my living room system.

All I can say is WOW! I knew the DG58 would bring about a refinement in the IRS system in the listening room, but the addition of the MEN220 in the living room system was not to be believed. While that system isn't my critical listening system and is used to have music playing in the house and to spread the sound of music when we have company, that system never sounded so good! Now it sounds incredible. The soundstage totally opened up; there was a solidity, a three-dimensionality and a presence that wasn't there in any room in which those speakers have ever been in since I bought them in 1973. I have to say that with the addition of the MEN220, you can hear that Roger Russell hit the nail on the head with those speakers. The bass was very powerful, the voices were clearer and solo instruments were just gorgeous to hear.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...0&d=1502929994

Room Perfect and Roger Russell speakers have never failed me either. XRT20 and XR19 stack amazing. Then with XR290s amazing clarity and every detail with the most solid bass, vocals, brass, and shattering highs.

Great setup photos of awesome speakers.

[Chericelise]

Originally Posted by Family Progtitioner

And yes, that is how the minidsp would connect. That would be a nice streamlined system

Thanks.

[JBT]

Recent Review of the McIntosh MEN220


http://www.robfaucher.com/review-of-...ection-system/

[Dmitry]

Originally Posted by substance

Accuphase unit works only with matching accuphase pre amp and dac. Digital input output loop uses proprietary connectors. They are also out of production by few years. You would have to seek in the second hand market. They are vastly superior to mcintosh in both room perfect and dac implementation.

If you go with the 151 route, it would take over your men220, pre amp and dac. There would be no room for Dave. You would feed all your digital sources into mx151 via digital coax, optical or xlr aes digital. Mx151 would internally apply room correction. Then it would convert back to analog with its 24/192khz dacs and apply volume control in analog domain(which is good). If you use it in stereo mode, it won't do any other processing. Mx151 in stereo mode vs men220 should be identical except that mx151 keeps the signal in digital domain and uses better dacs at the end(this means it's actually better than men220)

Mx150/151 in the second hand market are dirt cheap. The cost should be the same as a brand new men220 or less. As a bonus you get a second zone and hdmi inputs. You can feed an sacd player with an hdmi output (such as mvp881,891,901 or an oppo) and have it feed pure digital signal into mx151.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I don't mind answering them to my best knowledge. I have a degree in ece and 20 year experience in home audio.

Excellent post! Thank you!

[MonstaChuck1]

I'm thinking of putting my MEN220 back into my setup between my DAC and pre-amp, any red flags?
Here's why: After a move about a year ago I picked up a C1100, which does not have a processor loop, and pulled the MEN220 out in order to play more vinyl "pure.". I don't want the A/D to D/A conversion of vinyl, which the MEN220 does even on bypass I believe (it just doesn't correct), so I don't want it between the pre-amp and amp. Before getting it out of storage again, what I can't figure out is if the signals of a processor loop are similar to a component -> preamp in amplitude, current, etc. I'm probably being overly cautious I just don't want to fry anything.

Esoteric K-03x -> MEN220 in processor loop mode ->
Rega RP8 -> C1100 -> MC2301s

[Grasshopper]

I prefer mine between the preamp and amp so I can use the electronic crossover to blend in my dual subs.

Originally Posted by MonstaChuck1

I'm thinking of putting my MEN220 back into my setup between my DAC and pre-amp, any red flags?
Here's why: After a move about a year ago I picked up a C1100, which does not have a processor loop, and pulled the MEN220 out in order to play more vinyl "pure.". I don't want the A/D to D/A conversion of vinyl, which the MEN220 does even on bypass I believe (it just doesn't correct), so I don't want it between the pre-amp and amp. Before getting it out of storage again, what I can't figure out is if the signals of a processor loop are similar to a component -> preamp in amplitude, current, etc. I'm probably being overly cautious I just don't want to fry anything.

Esoteric K-03x -> MEN220 in processor loop mode ->
Rega RP8 -> C1100 -> MC2301s

Sent from my iPhone using New Forum mobile app

[jameslrock]

Grasshopper: Same here. Jim