Mcintosh 6900/Klipsh Cornwall III - a good match?

Generally it's not the power people buy the 6900 for but the autotransformer. Evidently that component reduces the graniness somewhat heard with the 6300/6500. It's still there, just less so. If you must go with the Mc integrated line, it's clearly the best sounding of the three in my listening tests. You'd do yourself a favor by listening to all three and more importantly other brands.

I'm a Klispch fan since the 70s and owned a half dozen models of their various lines. Every new model produced after 1990 was unlistenable not mention the drop in quality of construction (peeling veneer). I've got a pair of Forte's sitting in another room I can't bear to part with. I'm thinking about mating a Cary SLI-80 with them. I used to use them with pure analog in the mid-80s.

In any case I tried many different SS setups with the many models of Klipsh I owned with mostly poor results. They sound great with a turntable or a tube CD but otherwise the horns are pretty painful sounding. The Forte's sounded tolerable at times with Marantz gear oddly enough. Still be careful before you shell out. I speak from my own experiences.

I gave up on using Klipsch with modern digital and have gone with Aerials which do a pretty good job.

regards, David

Totally disagree that the 6900 is harsh. With my speaks....Dalis....that is the last word i'd used to describe it. With horns YMMV.

I agree 100% with the Mac 6300/B&W....in my test the 804S....good match.

Also agree with the 6900 being tubey sounding. Lived with a Stingray for a long time prior to the Mac.

That's my useless input, havent heard the 6900 with Klipsch...yet.

Wireless 200 has no clue what he's talking about, if anything the MA 6900 is overly smooth. I currently run a MA6900 with JM Labs 1007 BE and the sound is magic.

Many people like to crap on Mac's becasue they are expensive and beautiful, but they are true hi fi.

I'll put myself on the line here: Old mac solid state may be better than old mac tubes (except maybe 225).

Hey Elvick - here I am with my chainsaw. :) The old Mc tube amps - all of them including the reissued 275 - are incredible. I've owned both old Mc SS and Mc tube, and you now see what I ended up with: a MC240. The old Mc SS amps are not bad, just smooth and laid back. That has to be compatible with your system - otherwise they don't sound good. The tube amps are more detailed and have much better immediacy and pace but are pickier about the speakers they get mated to. So in the end, it still boils down to system synergy but in general, the Mc tube amps remain closer to neutrality than the old Mc SS amps in my experience.

Arthur