Which solid state power house: Naim NAP 500DR or McIntosh MC611?

@jeredh 

What did you end up getting? 

Naim 500DR with a Naim n272/555 streamer. These feed a pair of Focal Scala V2.  Purchased them from another audiogon user and I am really happy.  Last week I  added my first phase of room treatments (Vicoustic Flexiwave).  So far, so good!

This business about system synergy is distressing to me. There are amplifiers that can drive anything including a dead short and there are amplifiers that are limited to easy loads. This all depends on the speakers. If you have speakers that are an easy load and you like the sound of a fragile amplifier wonderful. Everything else just depends on what you like sonically and aesthetically. It has nothing to do with synergy. If you are trying to compensate for a deficiency in one piece with an exaggeration in another you are putting yourself farther behind the 8 ball. Sometimes you have to compromise because of financial considerations. Most of us have to do that to some degree. But compromise as little as possible. Just because a piece of equipment is cheap does not mean it is the right piece to buy. Both amps you are talking about I would not buy under any circumstance. There are many better amps to be had. Patience is a virtue. 

Jeredh - 
How do you like the sound of your system? 
Markus

I’ve owned system less than a year. I enjoy listening, and it’s been a fun experience thus far. It’s a big system that I’ve stuffed into a not-so-big room, and I knew going in that I had my work cut out to get things sounding good.  Room is 19x17x8 with challenges, and I’m slowly working my way through them.  Laid dedicated 20A circuit and new ground for the home, then replaced 4 hollow core doors along rear wall with solid core MDF, and am just getting to room treatments. After this I’ll get proper racking, spike the speakers, and then can settle in with it.  

Naim powerhouse is everything I expected, and it has only gotten better with burn-in. It’s sound is so accurate, clean, and pure. I will sing Naim praise forever just based on the 500DR alone. The n272 has been interesting. It’s pairing with the 500 raises a brow for many, and I would upgrade if I stuck with the Naim for future purchases.  I did add the 555 and it brought undeniable improvements to the n272. 

The Scala V2s. These beasts are the sound I was wanting. Both the wife & I fell in love with Sopra 3 at demos in NYC. The kid inside me wanted this big stage, and I’ll have fun with them for years to come,  but in the end, I imagine I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. Wish I had access to more hi-if speakers to demo at home. Time will tell!