Macintosch 8950 or parasound a21

@bobster50 

Room treatments/problems are overrated! Let me share an interesting AGon story:

I posted on the forum for some help powering my KEF Reference 1 Metas regarding no bass output. I was utilizing the legendary Luxman 590AXII 30W Class A. The overwhelming response was that my room was the problem. The Luxman should have no problem powering the baby KEFs. I greatly appreciated the forum's help and support, but I knew that the advice didn't seem right. I brought the amp to a local dealer and A/B against higher power amps. Magically, the bass appeared!

Short story long, I ended up going off the rails and purchased a pair of McIntosh MC611s. & C2700. My bass output in the same room is easily 300% better. 

Lastly, you mentioned the "sound engineers" on the forum. I guarantee you that if you took measurements of their rooms before and after treatment, the rooms probably had better measurement results pre-treatment. It only sounds better because they justify the cost of some obscure piece of pillow foam changing the dynamics!😁 The best and most significant improvement would be to add a nice carpet and drapes if necessary. 

@jeffreyw

Shots fired! 🤣

There’s a lot to room treatment but I basically agree. It’s hard to effectively treat a bad room and also have it continue to look like a living space. Strategic absorption and diffusion can be effective but problems with bass are another story.

Also, I love that you pulled the trigger on the Mac rig! My system is similar but opposite - I stuck the larger amount of cash into the pre; C12000 and MC462. Are you still using stock tubes in the C2700? If so... I’m currently using Northern Electric 12AX7s and Mullard NOS CV4024 / 12AT7s in the line stage. I tried a bunch of 12AX7s and for my money, the Northern Electric wins out. Of note, they’re taller than any other 12AX7 I’ve used, and I have to leave the "hatch" off the tube compartment. The tubes run lukewarm at best, so I’m not overly concerned. If you don’t want to get "adventurous, I found the New Sensor Mullards and Genelex Gold Lions work well too, maybe lacking a touch of the liquid-smoothness and magic of the Norther Electric.

Also, nice to hear you got the Ref 1 Metas to sing. I’m also a KEF dealer and have heard good things. Unfortunately, I tried to bring in a pair for demo and they were backordered until forever.

Micah

@bobster50,

Just a thought maybe a McIntosh MC275

Mike

@djmika 

No offense intended, Micha!! I didn't want the OP to go down a rabbit hole only to find that synergy was the culprit. With my system, I have not considered tube rolling. I also considered your route with MC462 and C12000, but I couldn't get past the two huge blue meters of monoblocks. Also, this is my first set of monoblocks, and I am amazed by the channel separation. In the future, I would certainly consider the C12000. It must sound amazing.

@jeffreyw 

No offense taken! Wasn't aimed my direction anyway! 🤣

I had 601s while we had an active showroom. There is something to be said for those big meters. I firmly believe there is more to great sound than just what you hear. The ownership experience includes the enjoyment of the visual element as well! 

The C12000 is really good. I haven't spent extended time with the C2700 so I can't really compare the two. But it's meaningfully better than the C2500. If you every want to chat about my experiences with it, don't hesitate to drop me a line. Until then, enjoy!

Micah