Speakers For McIntosh?

Been doing audio for over 40 years, first McIntosh in about 1967. Traded the Mac for ARC tubes and solid state (more than one of each), tried the big Bryston monoblocks with Maggie 3.5s. I’ve also owned the big Mac speakers (XRT-20) and Martin-Logan Monoliths. Last June, I purchased a Mac 2200 preamp and 2102 amp. I tried several speakers with them, most of which sounded good, but not quite what I liked (I was tired of Maggies and electrostats by then). Then I found the Von Schweikert VR-2s. The VR-2s with my Mac tubes is the best sound I've ever had, and certainly among the best I've heard at any price. By far the most MUSICAL system I've ever heard. The speakers took a long time to break in, so if you hear them, realize that they don't reach optimum for about 600-800 hours of hard listening. I have a large room (22 x 30) and these small speakers fill the room - I am still amazed. Von Schweikert says they have the transparency of electrostats, and I concur. The only thing I miss with the VR-2s is the lack of a really big sound (not soundstage, soundstage is great), but other things the speakers do more than make up for that – transparency, wide and deep soundstage, deep and tight bass and just an overall pleasing and balanced sound. The big speakers I’ve had don’t come close to what the VR-2s do. One caveat concerning the Mac equipment; good NOS tubes make a big difference, particularly in the amp (mine has JAN 6550As). Another thing that made a huge difference was a Richard Gray power cord on the amp and a RGPC 400 conditioner. If you don’t have a Von Schweikert dealer in your area, call or e-mail the company and they will give you the name of the national sales manager, a nice guy and very helpful.

Walt,
I've been using my my Mac C42 / MC352 combo with Vandersteen 3A's.Superb match,with very natural smooth sound.All the audiophile adjectives apply.Great bass,mids,etc.Gives a slightly laid back,draws you into the music presentation.Not thrown in your face.Highly emotionally involving sound with absolutely no harshness.
Dennis

I agree with Theo on McIntosh speakers. Don't bother.

I've used B&W N802's with my Mac for the last three years and still love the combination.

I recently purchased Mcintosh Pre(C2200) and Power (MC402) amps and finally have a tube/solid-state combination that makes my Meadowlark Blue Heron II's really sing. Incredibly musical combination for me, that allows me to appreciate a wide range of music without fatigue.