One Amp To ‘Rule’ Them All....

I am a major McIntosh fan.  While opinions differ McIntosh goes a long way back providing quality equipment.   The Greatful Dead used their equipment back in the early 70s for their “Wall of Sound”.

The produce solid equipment that holds value better than virtually all audio.  My MC501 mono blocks bought used in 2008 can be sold today for what I paid back then.  

They also make fabulous tube tube equipment as well.  Not everyone is a fan, but those who are make a strong market for much of their equipment, especially amps and preamps.

Management research has found that the best variable in estimating the probability that a firm will be in business a year from now is how long have they been in business.  For McIntosh that number is 71 years.

Just one guy’s view on Amps to rule them all.  We all have different needs, but for me, McIntosh rules them all.

I haven’t listened to a McIntosh yet in my setup. I have been very curious to hear what so many rave about.

What is a good place to start with McIntosh amps, something that can handle 1ohm loads. Right now I have Kappa 7 and 8’s and Yamaha NS-10’s available. At the moment whatever amp comes into my system needs to handle low ohms just to be safe.  I have Kappa 9’s but those things are rediculous. 

Only one answer for all these scenarios, and I’m shocked everyone is avoiding the obvious:

A pair of Psychron Master Legend Retro ES20 monoblocks

Hybrid design, switchibable, dual everything...

Not a fan  of Mcintosh amps and their autoformers, I have heard too many amps that are better.  The best amps I have ever heard on the most impressive systems are Burmester, 911 or 959's.  Recently I heard a system priced >$1M, it consisted of Wilson WAMM's and matching subs, 4 Burmester 559s sourced by a Linn Kimax.  It was absolutely magical!

For solid state, if I had the scratch, I'd go with Naim S1's. But then, that's because I am a Naim guy. There's a Parasound guy on this thread. More power to hm, so to speak. Parasound has never sounded good to me personally, though, and that's what matters, what it sounds like to you, the individual. At a certain point, subjectivity kicks in, and that's all there is left to it. Thus, there is no one amp.