#11
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Agree about the speakers. Wilson's however are so intimidating. I just don't have the patience to set them up and care for them. I've heard (from a friend who owns Alexandra's that went through several other's) that they're fussy. I do like the Sonus Faber's. They're on my list to audition for sure. First things first, I'd like to deal with the pre/pro issue though. In the end, the solution I choose may be to just get a nice preamp like the C1000 or C500 and just stick with McIntosh. Only problem there is that listening to multichannel SACD's will not sound their best. |
#12
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Your electronics are not the weak link
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#13
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Good luck in your quest...great system, already! Sent from my DROIDX using A.Aficionado
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson |
#14
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#15
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Respectfully disagree. The MX150 does not sound anywhere near as good as my W4S DAC2 direct to my amps (as a preamp). That in itself tells me that the MX150 is the weak link - thus the desired change to the S1200.
FWIW - I know this unfortunately won't go over very well on this forum since the majority of members are McIntosh fanatics, but the S1200 is significantly better than the MX150 in two channel. I've now had the chance to compare the two (I actually took my MX150 over to the friends house and inserted it into his Krell system and we made quite a few comparisons actually, but I digress). Now, I wasn't about to haul my MC601's over to his house to compare them to his Krell amps, but I don't think my amps are the weak link. In fact I'm very hesitant to even consider getting rid of them. |
#16
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Audio Room: Sonus Faber Amati Faturas / JL Audio 13.5” Fanthom In Wall Subs / McIntosh C52 / McIntosh MCD 1100 / McIntosh MEN 220 / McIntosh MC 601’s / McIntosh MPC 1500 / McIntosh MT 5 / McIntosh MC 275’s / Luxman AS-55 Amp Selector / Silenzo (This thing is Amazing) / Gold Lion Tubes from Vintage Tube All items in green were bought thru the AA marketplace and blue from a current AA retailer |
#17
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Bryan, couple of thoughts. Even though I now have Revel Salon 2's as my mains, I love B&W. I came from N803's, and I really wanted the new 802Di, but the Revel deal was too good to pass up so I went for them. Truthfully, if I could do a swap, I might still swap for the 802Di, although the Revels are sure sounding good now with the MC452 powering them. With all due respect to the other posters who are quick to suggest a replacement for your speakers, I think you are on the right track based on what you've experienced, since you've noticed a difference between preamps. However, I do know that the Nautilus line was famous for being a little ruthless and bright if not tamed by the surrounding electronics. Mac of course has exactly that effect, so I think the amps you have are the right match, and Krell is known for being aggressive and potentially analytical and bright, although amazing in bass power. A good match for Sonus Faber and other less top-end aggressive speakers, but i think the Krell amp might be a mismatch for your Nautilus series B&Ws. if you did move up to first or second generation Diamonds, probably a different story and a better match.
As far as preamp/prepro, I assume you are really focused on mch music because you have lots of mch SACDs (and like that more than the 2 ch version of these SACDs?)? As you know, I too am looking at the same options, and the Krell does seem like an amazing piece, and will probably do great in your system (any chance you can borrow your friend's S1200 and try it in your system? That could end your search right there). The Bryston SP3, which is much newer than the Krell, has just gotten a killer review from Kal at Stereophile, and appears to be another excellent option (although without any EQ options). I asked Kal on the bryston board if it beat the Mac and the Classe, and he said yes. Pretty strong endorsement. I am surprised that the Classe SSP-800 didn't ring your bell, as that is universally praised as both a processor AND a preamp. In fact it may be the only prepro I've never read a bad word about, and I've done a ton of Internet research on prepros. If you want another mid priced option, the Arcam AV888 is a very good prepro that is also considered an excellent analog preamp. Just my two cents. Good luck. |
#18
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Of course, I'd expect the Diamonds to be better than the N802s in all respects, as well. Sent from my DROIDX using A.Aficionado
__________________
When I grow up, I want to be a little boy. - Joseph Heller Aural pleasures courtesy of SME, Dynavector, Audio Research, Simaudio, Wireworld, & Wilson |
#19
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I own both the MX150 and a S1200, I think you may have a bad MX150.
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#20
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Ivan, you have an MX150, a Krell S-1200, and a Bryston SP3. How do they compare?
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