What are these McIntosh amps?

[Sonnie Parker]

Let's see if anyone can figure out what these McIntosh amps are.

 

[JStewart]

I only know what they are not. Not Mine!

I‘m assuming they’re yours. Lucky

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Nope... those are not mine there. The almost were, but then I changed my mine.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

These are what I ended up with ... 184lbs each as boxed.

 

[JStewart]

You crack me up.
You got these?

McIntosh MC1.25KW Amplifier

The MC1.25KW Quad Balanced Power Amplifier is one of our most advanced amplifiers. A simple glance at this 158 pound (71.7 kg) amp is enough to convey its power and performance capabilities, but when you hear it – then you’ll truly understand its capabilities.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Yep... those are the ones. I still find it hard to believe I got them... but I did.

 

[JStewart]

Congrats!!! I’m thinking you just hit the wall on amp upgrades!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Thanks! I think I went over the wall on these. I've always loved the look... they are gorgeous amps. I've wanted a pair for a long time; even back when the 601 models came out, I was trying to figure out a way to get a pair of those. But man alive... they are overpriced, even if you get a deal on them. McIntosh is making you pay for that look. Their amp stands they just not long ago released are $3000-3500 each.

 

[JStewart]

they are overpriced, even if you get a deal on them.

As soon as you’re listening to some favorite music and seeing the blue hue glow with mesmerizing Vu meters pulsing to the beat, you won’t care anymore.

If that doesn’t work, then take heart in the fact that McIntosh is one of the few audio pieces one can reasonably expect to retain or increase their value over time. So in the end, they are actually free!
WARNING: Does not apply to $3,000 Amp Stands!

 

[ddude003]

Wow... An order of magnitude x2 more watts than my McIntosh amp... And ~300 lbs of Autoformers in the pair... I'll bet they will make your ESLs sing...

 

[Sonnie Parker]

As soon as you’re listening to some favorite music and seeing the blue hue glow with mesmerizing Vu meters pulsing to the beat, you won’t care anymore.

If that doesn’t work, then take heart in the fact that McIntosh is one of the few audio pieces one can reasonably expect to retain or increase their value over time. So in the end, they are actually free!
WARNING: Does not apply to $3,000 Amp Stands!

I will be mesmerized, huh?

So you don't think a pair of amp stands at six grand will cause me to be more mesmerized, electrified, hypnotized, and possibly sanctified?

Wow... An order of magnitude x2 more watts than my McIntosh amp... And ~300 lbs of Autoformers in the pair... I'll bet they will make your ESLs sing...

They sing pretty well now, more than I can stand with the Magtechs. I am hoping they will be as good or better (I can't imagine how they wouldn't be), although I suspect I won't notice a difference to speak of... maybe psychologically, which is fine... I'll take it. Either way, I got more than what I wanted for a very long time. I was going to get the 611 units, but then I saw the 1.25 units and just could not resist the temptation.

But now those stands... if I spend six grand on those stands... I ought to be able to hear a distinct difference.

 

[ddude003]

But now those stands... if I spend six grand on those stands... I ought to be able to hear a distinct difference.

Might be rough to do instantaneous A/B testing on those... Just consider them another set of diffusers...

 

[JStewart]

But now those stands... if I spend six grand on those stands... I ought to be able to hear a distinct difference.

Definitely you will if you use cable risers with them.

Will you be getting those beautiful beasts hooked up soon? I’m hoping you’ll share some pics when they are.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I hope to have time tomorrow to get them set up. I'm setting up my replacement StormAudio ISP Elite MK3 processor at the same time, which takes a while with DLART. I was rockin'-n-rollin' with it until it wouldn't power on one day. So they sent me another, but just haven't had time to deal with it.

 

[AudiocRaver]

Sonnie, you rascal, what are you up to now?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Time for a trip Wayne!

 

[AudiocRaver]

No kidding! You still have MartinLogans, I hope.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

No kidding! You still have MartinLogans, I hope.

Absolutely!

 

[ddude003]

It will be interesting to see if they sound better to you running off the 4ohm or 8ohm taps... I seem to get a bit more highs running off the 8ohm taps even thought these ESLs are rated at 6 ohms... The amp never breaks a sweat and always cold to the touch...

What DAC and Preamp and are you streaming high-rez thru a computer for stereo music?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It will be interesting to see if they sound better to you running off the 4ohm or 8ohm taps... I seem to get a bit more highs running off the 8ohm taps even thought these ESLs are rated at 6 ohms... The amp never breaks a sweat and always cold to the touch...

What DAC and Preamp and are you streaming high-rez thru a computer for stereo music?

That may be a while unless I do with no Dirac and compare them, although that is not how I normally listen, and not sure if that will give me enough to go on. The time it takes to set up Dirac Live ART is considerable to the point of being mentally painful. I have it set on 4 ohms currently. If I change to 8 ohms, it will change the level, and to be fair on a comparison, I would need to reset DLART.

I use my Lenova Thinkpad Carbon X1 with Roon for music. The StormAudio ISP Elite MK3 processor is Roon Ready, so it is enabled in the MK3.

 

[AudiocRaver]

Do you like Dirac Live ART? I guess I have mixed feelings about the concept.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Do you like Dirac Live ART? I guess I have mixed feelings about the concept.

Yes... I like what it does. When my StormAudio MK3 had powering on issues and had to be replaced, I stuck the HTP-1 back in the system; I could not replicate what I had been hearing with the MK3. Think about it in a broader sense... I have 17 speakers (this EXcludes the 4 top Atmos speakers because they are not capable of much help below 150Hz)... that are controlling what happens with frequencies between 50-150Hz (because I have 17 capable of playing to 50Hz or lower)… and then 10 of those 17 also are controlling what happens with frequencies from 20-50Hz (because I have 10 speakers capable of playing to 20Hz without issue). Obviously, some are doing more than others, but in general, these speakers are now all helping each other and are not limited by strict crossover. For example... the front ML speakers are not crossed over at 80Hz. Instead, they play to 20Hz and are blended with the subs. The subs can help support other speaker up to 150Hz, although it's limited. For example again, I limit the rear subs to 80Hz when they are supporting speakers up front.

The part I'm not crazy about (as mentioned in my previous post)... it's time-consuming. It can take up to an hour to run DLART that first time. Once you get the measurements, it's not too bad, although it still takes a while to process it all when you make changes.

 

[AudiocRaver]

Hmmmm. I noticed with the Classic 9's that running low frequencies through them meant sacrificing the sharpest imaging, probably not a problem with the Renaissance 15's because you have a lot more mass and more stable anchoring with your carpeting, and a better stabilized total speaker design overall. Have you noticed any difference in image clarity with the DLART?

BTW, I like your new look!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Hmmmm. I noticed with the Classic 9's that running low frequencies through them meant sacrificing the sharpest imaging, probably not a problem with the Renaissance 15's because you have a lot more mass and more stable anchoring with your carpeting, and a better stabilized total speaker design overall. Have you noticed any difference in image clarity with the DLART?

BTW, I like your new look!

I have not noticed any difference in the imaging... seems to be spot on. The most noticeable difference is the bass seems to have more impact and feel to it... more presence. I also have subs all around the 15A units, so I believe they blend in well together.

 

[AudiocRaver]

I guess I am going to have to come down there and hear for myself.