Which integrated amp for rock/metal (and why McIntosh?)


Dear all,

I recently obtained new speakers (Fyne Audio F704) and I have the idea (my wife says it too) that my NAD M32 doesn’t seem powerful enough to push music through our living room. On the Totem Winds I had before, it was less of a problem, the F704’s are really massive. I mainly listen to rock / metal, my wife likes to add some EDM/EBM (dance) in between. I’m also running a REL Carbon Special so the low is covered well :)

Which integrated amp should I look for (probably opening Pandora’s Box here) to enjoy rock/metal? The few hints I found online, were Krell and McIntosh. I’m wondering if it’s because of the "rock ’n roll name" (Krell) or the rugged look (McIntosh). I could for example get a MA9000 (300w, Class AB integrated amp) - would that be a good choice? Is it worthwhile to move from a Class D amp to AB?

Looking forward to read your input.
128x128koenvingerhoets
Thank you for your reaction @chayro . I'm alas from Europe. Which also means the price of a McIntosh is 150% of the USA. (MA9000 = 11.000 USD => more or less 9.500 EUR ; retain price here is 14.200 EUR = more or less 16.500 USD). I bet it's the same the other way around, for EU audio brands.
I'm looking at second hand, it's the part of my system I didn't settle yet :s
Any further thoughts on your speakers after living with them a few months? What amp did you settle on?
The Fynes are interesting speakers, but since they are fairly new, there isn't much user feedback yet in the forums I've read. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Hi @waltersalas ,
Reading the feedback about McIntosh, I started digging deeper on shipping requirements and after care. The unsettling higher cost finally tipped me over to look further, for a more local brand.
Eventually, I went for a German brand: T+A. Their PA 3100 HV (A+B integrated amp) has excellent reviews and I could buy one for a fair price. As the enclosure was damaged way beyond the dealer’s promises, he had it completely replaced at T+A. They showed an amazing customer service - excellent open and transparant contact.
While I started on a BlueSound node, I meanwhile bought a brand new T+A MP 3100 HV as well. Very multifunctional and highly integrated with the PA.
The speakers work awesome now. They have not blinked an eye, the looks are truly gorgeous and stunning. I replaced the spikes with GAIA I feet and put them on a 30 kg marble slab (my wooden floor is not that even). My dad brought Pink Floyd with him last week, to test the Mediaplayer with the Amp. The depth of the sound is amazing, you can point where the instruments are played. I used to listen to music, now I really take an entire evening to listen to this setup. Fyne did a great job with these massive speakers.

My complete setup
- T+A PA 3100 HV & T+A MP 3100 HV (both on an oak slab, supported by Herbie’s Big Fat Dots to avoid damaging the closet on which they stand).
- T+A Quad XLR interconnects, standard powercables but I plan to move to T+A Carbon. WireWorld UTP cable.
- Fyne Audio F704, on Gaia I feet.
- Pure silver bare bi-wire cables from Tempo Electric (USA)
- REL Carbon Special, on Herbie’s gliders, connected with the REL AirShip.
- iFi Audio PowerStation to clean the electricity

(If my wife reads the above, you're all invited to my funeral)
Those are pretty efficient. One of the Lyngdorf integrated amps would be amazing. You could sell you dac as well if you have one. Really tights up fast metal like you wouldn’t believe with the best in class room correction.
Not too many integrated will give you the power you need into 8 ohm. 

Thought bout a separate amp?
***YES, go to a nice A/AB amp. ***


Cool speakers!

McIntosh would be great!
Sunfire is an amazing powerhouse.

Make sure to christen the new speakers with Darkness descends, pleasure to kill, or consuming impulse. ,,/