Mcintosh MAC7200 or Hegel H390 for a new pair of Kef R7 META

@aphilc so what are you saying? I'm confused. 

I'm saying McIntosh has a virtual cult following steeped in a long history of good amplifiers and other electronics. However, Hegel is among many newer brands (within the last 10 - 15 years) that can compete well with a McIntosh amplifier but don't have the "legacy" of Mac since Hegel is relatively "new" to the USA market having debuted in the USA in 2009 (if memory serves me right). As I've  said, IMO Macs are a warmer-sounding amp and convey deep bass having earned their initial reputation providing power for some well-known rock band concert amplification (of which you are probably aware). However, the Hegel H390 would be among the amps that have a more neutral sound and don't impart a specific sonic signature compared to the "McIntosh sound signature" which by that very phrase indicates the Mac is coloring the signal slightly. Other amps that don't "color" the sound would be Benchmark or some of the Burmester amps that convey a more neutral sound than a Mac IMO. That's why I was suggesting if there was a way to A/B compare the Mac with a Hegel you might hear the difference.

I had the same dilemma, wanted a mac, because it’s a Mac. Love the sound of the Hegal 390, so I bought both. Problem solved. The Hegal is a really great sounding amp. 

hegel if it was only between the two you mentioned, take a entry level accuphase over either tho

@aphilc Good explanation. If money was no object, what amp would you get for the speakers I'm looking at? 

If money is no object, I do believe you'd be happy with Hegel H390 Integrated amplifier. However, I have never listened to the KEF r7s and don't consider myself an expert on pairing an amp to them. What amplifier was used when you may have auditioned them? Plus, I do susbscribe to prior comments you saw in this thread that usually pair electronics that are slightly less expensive than the  speakers themselves. So, since the KEF r7s sell for around $5,000 or so a pair (as I recall), you owe it to yourself to consider the Benchmark AHB2 if you want the purest, non-colored sonics in its price range ($3499 last I looked) OR the NAD M23 - very clear, but since it's a Class D amplifier, you might be hesitant but people tell me it also delivers very clean, articulated sonics. Wish I had the time to delve into this further, but this is the best I can do. Good luck to you.